Madagascar’s president has said he will dissolve his government, following days of youth-led protests over longstanding water and power cuts. UNCHR head Volker Türk said he was “shocked” by the security forces’ violent crackdown that he said also saw arrests, beatings and live bullets used against demonstrators. Last week, Madagascar’s president announced that he had sacked the energy minister for failing to do his job properly, but protesters demanded that the president and the rest of his government step down too. The “Gen Z” movement alleges, however, that paid goons had looted various buildings in order to undermine their cause. The protests mark the most significant challenge the president has faced since his third re-election in 2023.