Protests in Madagascar: A Struggle for Basic Services and Government Accountability – vocal.media

Report on Civil Unrest in Madagascar and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

In late September 2025, Madagascar experienced significant civil unrest, originating in the capital, Antananarivo, and expanding nationwide. The protests, initially a response to failures in basic service delivery, evolved into a widespread movement against systemic governance issues, directly challenging the nation’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Analysis of Protest Origins and SDG Deficiencies

Failure in Basic Services and Infrastructure

The immediate catalyst for the protests was the persistent failure of essential public utilities, highlighting critical deficiencies related to key SDGs.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Prolonged water outages in Antananarivo severely impacted households and businesses, demonstrating a failure to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Frequent and widespread electricity cuts paralyzed daily life, indicating a lack of access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy for all.

These infrastructure failures exposed the government’s inability to meet fundamental citizen needs, which are foundational to broader sustainable development.

Socio-Economic Grievances and Systemic Failures

The protests quickly broadened to address deeper socio-economic and governance issues that impede Madagascar’s development trajectory.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): With approximately 75% of the population living in poverty, economic hardship was a primary driver of public frustration. The protests underscored the urgent need for effective poverty eradication strategies.
2. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): High unemployment, particularly among the youth, fueled the demonstrations. The lack of economic opportunities reflects a failure to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Protesters cited the stark contrast between the nation’s rich natural resources and the pervasive poverty of its citizens, pointing to severe inequalities in resource distribution and opportunity.
4. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Allegations of systemic corruption, nepotism, and government mismanagement were central to the protests. This reflects a profound crisis of confidence in public institutions and a demand for accountability, transparency, and justice.

Escalation of Unrest and Impact on Human Rights

Nationwide Mobilization and State Response

The youth-led movement, known as Gen Z Mada, expanded to include civil servants and labor unions. The government’s response led to violent clashes, resulting in casualties and arrests. This escalation represents a significant setback for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), as the use of force against demonstrators and the subsequent disorder undermined peace and the rule of law. By mid-October 2025, an estimated 22 fatalities were reported, further violating principles of justice and human security.

Political Transition and Governance Challenges

Government Dissolution and Military Intervention

President Andry Rajoelina’s initial response, which included dissolving the government and promising to improve power infrastructure, was deemed insufficient by protesters. The subsequent intervention by the military, leading to a coup d’état and the suspension of state institutions, marks a critical juncture for SDG 16. While the military-appointed transitional council has pledged new elections, the situation highlights the fragility of democratic institutions and the challenges of ensuring a peaceful and inclusive political transition.

Humanitarian Consequences and Setbacks to Development

Disruption of Essential Services

The political turmoil has exacerbated Madagascar’s fragile humanitarian situation, directly impacting several SDGs.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Disruptions caused by the unrest have strained already precarious food and nutrition sources for millions.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Strikes and general disorder have disrupted public health services, increasing vulnerability to disease outbreaks.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The protests and ensuing instability have limited access to education, jeopardizing the future of the nation’s youth.

The work of humanitarian agencies like UNICEF continues, but the conflict environment poses significant challenges to delivering aid, underscoring the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in crisis response.

Conclusion: The Path Forward Through Sustainable Development

The 2025 Madagascar protests are a clear manifestation of public demand for accountable governance and the fulfillment of basic human rights as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals. The crisis originated from failures to deliver on SDG 6 and SDG 7 and was amplified by systemic deficiencies related to SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 10, and SDG 16. For Madagascar to achieve a stable and prosperous future, the transitional authorities and any subsequent government must prioritize a development agenda that is inclusive, transparent, and centered on restoring essential services and strengthening public institutions. Addressing these fundamental SDG-related issues is critical to preventing future unrest and building a sustainable path forward.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Madagascar Protests Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the protests in Madagascar highlights several systemic failures and societal grievances that directly connect to a number of Sustainable Development Goals. These goals represent the fundamental areas where the country is facing significant challenges, leading to widespread unrest.

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article explicitly states that “Approximately 75% of Madagascar’s 30 million people live in poverty,” making this a central theme of the unrest.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The text mentions “limited access to education” as a grievance compounding the frustrations of the population, particularly the youth.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The protests were initially triggered by “persistent… water outages” and “frequent and prolonged cuts in… water supply,” indicating a failure to provide this basic service.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Alongside water issues, “persistent power outages” were a primary cause of the protests, highlighting a lack of reliable and modern energy services.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article points to “economic hardships” and “high unemployment” as key factors fueling the protests, especially among the youth who initiated the movement.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – This goal is central to the article, which describes “systemic corruption,” “government mismanagement,” clashes with police, casualties, a military coup, and the suspension of state institutions, all of which reflect a breakdown of peace, justice, and effective governance.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

The article provides enough detail to link the general issues to specific targets within the identified SDGs. These targets pinpoint the exact development objectives that are not being met.

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article’s statement that 75% of the population lives in poverty directly relates to this target.
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The mention of “limited access to education” suggests a failure to meet this target of universal, quality education.
• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The “prolonged cuts in… water supply” in the capital city are a clear failure to provide the reliable access this target demands.
• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The “frequent and prolonged cuts in electricity” that sparked the protests show that this target is far from being achieved.
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The article highlights that the protests were a “youth-led movement” fueled by grievances including “high unemployment,” directly connecting to this target.
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The report of “22 people… had lost their lives due to escalating violence” is a direct measure of the failure to meet this target.
• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms. Protesters’ accusations of “systemic corruption and nepotism” are a central theme of the unrest, indicating this target is not being met.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The entire narrative—from the government’s inability to provide basic services to its dissolution and the subsequent military coup—points to a profound failure in institutional effectiveness and accountability.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article contains both explicit data and qualitative descriptions that can serve as indicators for measuring progress (or lack thereof) towards the identified SDG targets.

• Indicator for Target 1.2: The article provides a direct quantitative indicator: “Approximately 75% of Madagascar’s 30 million people live in poverty.” This corresponds to Indicator 1.2.1 (Proportion of population living below the national poverty line).
• Indicators for Targets 6.1 & 7.1: While not providing numbers, the article implies indicators through its description of “frequent and prolonged cuts in electricity and water supply.” The frequency and duration of these service interruptions serve as a direct measure of reliability and access.
• Indicator for Target 8.6: The mention of “high unemployment” among youth implies the use of the youth unemployment rate as an indicator. This aligns with Indicator 8.6.1 (Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training).
• Indicator for Target 16.1: A specific number is given: “around 22 people… had lost their lives due to escalating violence.” This figure can be used to calculate Indicator 16.1.2 (Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population).
• Indicator for Target 16.5: The article refers to “systemic corruption” as a primary grievance. This implies an indicator related to public perception of corruption, which aligns with Indicator 16.5.1 (Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vocal.media