Overview

• Organisers of the youth-led Gen Z movement halted marches in Antananarivo for a day to preserve protesters' strength, while demonstrations carried on in cities including Antsiranana, Toliara and Mahajanga.
• President Andry Rajoelina dismissed his entire government earlier in the week, and the country is awaiting the nomination of a new prime minister as the Senate discusses potential candidates.
• The United Nations reports at least 22 people killed and hundreds injured during a heavy security response, a toll the government rejects.
• Amnesty International condemned what it called unlawful and excessive force, urging thorough investigations and the release of detained protesters.
• Six embassies—Germany, South Korea, France, Japan, Britain and Switzerland—along with the EU delegation called for constructive dialogue and reaffirmed commitments to free expression and peaceful assembly.