Madagascar President Offers One-Year Deadline to Address Growing Unrest

Madagascar President Asks for One Year to Resolve Problems or He Will Resign ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - In a bid to address the growing public dissatisfaction in the country, President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to resolve the nation's challenges. If he fails to do so, he promised to resign from office. During a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters on Tuesday, Rajoelina acknowledged that the current situation in Madagascar was unacceptable and that he was willing to take responsibility for it. "I don't want flattery. I want to hear the truth," he said. "It's the people who kept telling me that everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation." The protests, which began over water and electricity shortages, have grown into a broader public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of basic services. The movement behind the protest, known as Gen Z Mada, has been calling for Rajoelina to resign. "We refuse the president's invitation to talks," said a spokesperson for Gen Z Mada. "We will not engage in dialogue with a regime that represses, assaults, and harasses us as we demand basic human rights." The group has called for new protests on Thursday, which is expected to be attended by thousands of people across the country. Background and context: Madagascar's economy has been struggling in recent years due to corruption, mismanagement, and a decline in foreign aid. The government has faced criticism for its handling of basic services such as water and electricity, leading to widespread discontent among the population. Additional perspectives: Rajoelina's promise to resign if he fails to resolve the nation's challenges within one year has been met with skepticism by some analysts. "This is just a PR stunt," said one analyst. "The president knows that he cannot deliver on his promises and is trying to buy time." However, others believe that Rajoelina's willingness to take responsibility for the current situation is a step in the right direction. "It takes courage to admit when you've made mistakes," said another analyst. "If the president can follow through on his promise, it could be a turning point for the country." Current status and next developments: The protests are expected to continue until Rajoelina's promised deadline of one year has passed. The government has announced plans to implement reforms aimed at addressing the nation's challenges, but details of these plans have yet to be released. In the meantime, the situation in Madagascar remains volatile, with many residents calling for greater accountability from their leaders. As one protester said, "We want change now, not promises for later." *Reporting by Bbc.*