At least five people have been reportedly killed after youth-led protests spiraled into clashes and looting in Madagascars capital

Madagascar's president, Andry Rajoelina, has pledged sweeping changes in the way his country is governed, days after violent protests over rolling blackouts and water shortages forced authorities to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital.

At least five people were reportedly killed on Thursday in Antananarivo, the capital of the southern African country, during demonstrations led by the youth-driven 'Gen Z Madagascar' movement. Protesters demanded reliable electricity and clean water, which they claim have been worsened by years of corruption and mismanagement.

The marches went ahead despite an official ban, and spiraled into clashes with security forces, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, according to local media. Demonstrators set fire to cable-car stations, looted shops, and reportedly attacked the homes of two lawmakers.

The management of Tana Water Front, a major shopping mall that was ransacked and burned, said Sunday that "years of effort and labor, even a lifetime's investment, were destroyed in a few hours."

In a statement broadcast on privately owned Real TV late Thursday, Angelo Ravelonarivo, who heads a joint security body of police and military, said individuals had exploited the protests to "destroy other people's property." He announced a nighttime curfew "to protect the population and their belongings... until public order is restored."

On Sunday, President Rajoelina condemned the unrest as "sad and painful," declaring that a "destructive mentality" could not develop Madagascar. Real TV quoted him as telling a gathering in a neighborhood of the capital that "the way the country is run will be completely overhauled from now on."

The African Union said it was following events in the Indian Ocean island nation with concern and pledged to work with the government and the regional bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC) to resolve the crisis. SADC also expressed "deep concern" over the violence and called on all sides to show restraint and pursue a peaceful settlement.

Rajoelina wasre-electedin 2023, in a vote that followed weeks of violent protests and boycotts by several opposition candidates. He pledged to build a stronger, more prosperous nation through governance reform, industrialization, electrification, and expanded access to basic services.

(RT.com)