Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo named Madagascar prime minister amid protests

Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina appointed Gen. Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as the island nation's prime minister to address protests mostly led by young adults. Rajoelina recently aired his concerns about a potential coup attempt, and Monday appointed Zafisambo as prime minister to quell anti-government protests, according to Al Jazeera. The military general's appointment also comes a week after the Madagascar government's dissolution amid protests by the youth-led movement called Gen Z Mada in the island nation situated off Africa's southeastern coast. Local police fired tear gas Monday into crowds of protesters in the nation's capital of Antananarivo and have confronted protesters in Toliara and Antsiranana aka Diego Suaraz, Al Jazeera reported. Gen Z Mada leaders oppose Zafisambo's appointment and gave Rajoelina 48 hours to resign his presidency, the BBC reported. "As long as Rajoelina remains in power, we will continue the struggle," Gen Z Mada leaders said in a prepared statement. The BBC said Rajoelina appointed the military general as prime minister to help ensure Madagascar's military will continue to support his presidency and to end the protests. Repeated disruptions in power and water services triggered the protests Sept. 25. The protests since have expanded to include opposition to corruption, inflation and a high rate of unemployment. At least 22 have died and more than 100 were injured during the protests, according to the United Nations. Government officials in Madagascar dismissed the reported casualty figures as "rumors and misinformation, the BBC reported. Zafisambo was Madagascar's military cabinet director within the prime minister's office until the president named him the country's prime minister. The youth-led Madagascar protests occurred as many Generation Z youth have triggered anti-government protests from Nepal in Asia to Peru and Paraguay. Generation Z refers to those who were born from 1997 through 2012 and is noted for its widespread use of digital media, according to Britannica.