Overview

• Several hundred mostly young demonstrators faced off with police in Antananarivo on Saturday as officers used tear gas to block marches toward the city center.
• Nighttime curfews remain in force in at least five cities, with residents urged to stay home and airlines diverting or canceling flights to the capital.
• A hospital source reported five deaths from Thursday’s violence, a figure not confirmed by authorities, and Reporters Sans Frontières cited police violence against at least three journalists.
• From New York, President Andry Rajoelina condemned the destruction, labeled the unrest an attempt at destabilization, and announced the dismissal of his energy minister.
• Organizers tied to the Gen Z movement called new rallies, while the SADC and African Union urged restraint, calm and dialogue.