Madagascar's president names military general as new prime minister

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina named Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo, a military general, as the country's new prime minister on Monday, a week after dissolving the government.

"With wisdom, I have decided to appoint Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo, Divisional General, as Prime Minister of the government," the head of state said.

This comes as protests in the Indian Ocean nation entered the third week on Monday.

The demonstrations, triggered by grievances over widespread power and water shortages, have since snowballed into an expression of dissatisfaction with the current administration.

However, President Rajoelina, 51, says that "political actors" are out to "destabilise" Madagascar.