Madagascar’s Rajoelina Pledges to Fix National Crisis Within a Year — or Step Down

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has given himself one year to resolve the country’s mounting problems, declaring that he will resign if the challenges persist.

The president made the pledge during a town hall meeting held at his palace, where he engaged directly with supporters and civic groups. Participants were invited to voice their concerns, to which Rajoelina responded openly.

“I don’t want praise — I want honesty,” he told the gathering. “Those who kept telling me everything was fine are responsible for the situation we are in today.”

His remarks come amid rising pressure from the Gen Z Mada movement, a youth-led protest group demanding his resignation. The group, which declined the president’s invitation to the meeting, accused his administration of repression and human rights abuses.

“We refuse the president’s invitation. We will not engage with a regime that assaults and humiliates its youth,” the group wrote on Facebook, while announcing plans for fresh demonstrations on Thursday.

Rajoelina has held a series of such public dialogues in recent weeks, saying the country’s issues can only be resolved through “listening and honest discussion,” not street protests.

He assured citizens that ongoing energy projects will ease the crippling power crisis, pledging to add 265 megawatts to the national grid.

“I swear that if power cuts continue in the capital a year from now, I will resign,” Rajoelina vowed.

The protests, which erupted on September 25, were initially sparked by widespread anger over persistent power and water shortages but have since evolved into broader discontent over corruption, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.

In a dramatic move last week, Rajoelina dissolved his government and appointed an army general as the new prime minister — a decision the protest movement swiftly rejected, vowing to continue its campaign.

Rajoelina first came to power in 2009 after leading demonstrations that toppled then-president Marc Ravalomanana with military backing.

Although the youth-led protests have lost some momentum, tensions remain high. Most of Antananarivo has returned to normal activity, though certain districts remain under heavy police surveillance with roadblocks still in place.

According to United Nations figures, at least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured in clashes with security forces — figures that the authorities dispute.

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