Overview

• Security forces fired teargas Tuesday to disperse renewed youth-led demonstrations in Antananarivo, with rallies also reported in Fenoarivo, Mahajanga and Diego Suarez despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
• President Andry Rajoelina dismissed the prime minister and cabinet, kept officials in interim roles and set a three-day window to receive proposals for a new premier and government.
• The protest movement, mobilised largely on social media and styling itself Gen Z, began over chronic electricity and water cuts and now features calls for Rajoelina to resign.
• The UN human rights office reports at least 22 people killed and more than 100 injured, citing unnecessary force by security units including teargas, beatings and some live ammunition, figures the foreign ministry disputes.
• Looting and property attacks followed earlier marches in the capital, with organisers alleging paid agitators sought to tarnish the movement as demonstrators adopted the One Piece pirate flag emblem seen in recent protests abroad.