Ei-iE

The situation in Madagascar is evolving rapidly amid political changes triggered by major protests in many of the country’s large cities, especially the capital, Antananarivo, which has been affected by water and electricity cuts. FEKRIMPAMA (Christian Federation of Teachers and Education Employees of Madagascar) had called for a general strike and reiterated its demands for quality education.

Call for a general strike

“We are going to close the Ministry’s office and invite staff to join our strike at Parvis d’Analakely, Place du 13 Mai,” said Constant Andrianatrehy Marolaza, General Secretary of FEKRIMPAMA, on 13 October.

He reported that other ministries had also called for a general strike.

That same day, the Senate dismissed its President. For Andrianatrehy Marolaza, “the latter, a retired gendarmerie general, is a source of repression because he has always held positions of authority within the gendarmerie, despite being retired”.

Summing up the situation, the union leader said: “The residents of the capital, Antananarivo, are fed up with President Andry Rajoelina’s broken promises. The state has failed to resolve the power and water shortages.”

Also, as of 25 September 2025, municipal councillors in the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo encouraged citizens to demonstrate in defence of their fundamental rights, such as access to water and electricity. But the state, through the Prefect of Antananarivo, did not authorise the action, despite the formal request sent to the Prefecture.

Popular and student protests brutally repressed

People took to the streets, expressing their anger and dismay at the government’s incompetence. Young people, grouped under the name ‘Gen Z’, played an active role, gathering at Madagascar’s six universities, added Andrianatrehy Marolaza.

The collective cry, “We are tired of corruption, we are tired of the President’s deceit and empty promises”, grew louder and louder, culminating in calls for his resignation.

The unrest led to damage to property, injuries, and even loss of life. Meanwhile, Rajoelina was in the United States for a session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he spread misinformation about electricity and water supplies that did not reflect the reality of the situation in Madagascar, insisted Andrianatrehy Marolaza. While the President was away, a strike broke out. In a bid to end the demonstrations, he dismissed his energy minister. This failed to quell the general discontent, and the level of anger was heightened by the use of force, mainly by the gendarmerie, to suppress the protests. Attempting to diffuse the political crisis, particularly on the streets, where his security forces dispersed more than a thousand demonstrators, on 6 October Rajoelina appointed a new prime minister: Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo, an army general.

Trade union demands for education

Madagascar’s trade unions, such as FEKRIMPAMA, also voiced criticism over the poor management of education. The union’s General Secretary gave some key examples of the demands made:

• Increase in ‘chalk allowances’ for teaching staff and duty allowances for administrative staff.
• Upward adjustment of the housing allowance, already approved by Parliament but not yet reflected in pay slips.
• Recruitment of teachers, especially those graduating from training centres.
• Call for the resignation of the education minister and his team, deemed responsible for violating workers’ rights.
• Depoliticisation of education and public administration.

Members of the military have mutinied in support of the young people who have been demanding better living conditions since 25 September, and President Rajoelina has left the country. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who was sworn in as head of state on Friday 17 October, has stated that he will serve as President for a maximum of two years before holding elections. Meanwhile, the African Union has suspended Madagascar.

Education International fully supports its colleagues and the people of Madagascar. EI urges the Madagascan President to respond to the people’s urgent and basic needs, ensure full funding for public education, and good working and living conditions.