A protester falls down, near a tear-gas canister deployed by riot police, during a nationwide youth-led protest over frequent power outages and water shortages, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, October 11, 2025. REUTERS/Zo Andrianjafy
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) -Madagascar's prime minister called for calm and unity on Saturday, hours after some soldiers joined youth protesters, escorting them as they entered Antananarivo’s May 13 Square for the first time since demonstrations began last month.
The protests, inspired by Gen Z-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages but have since escalated, posing the most serious challenge to President Andry Rajoelina's rule since his reelection in 2023.
