Overview

• Night curfews were enforced in Antananarivo and four other cities after arson and widespread looting, with pillaging still reported on the capital’s outskirts Friday.
• Security forces blocked planned gatherings and used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters mobilized online over daily water and power cuts.
• Homes of three pro-government lawmakers were set on fire, and a newly opened cable-car station along with shops and banks were ransacked.
• From New York, President Andry Rajoelina condemned the destruction in a video message and announced the dismissal of his energy minister, casting the unrest as an attempt at destabilization.
• Organizers from the Gen Z movement called a peaceful march for Saturday; schools and many businesses closed, foreign missions urged caution, and reports of fatalities circulated without official confirmation.