Madagascar's leader fires PM, cabinet

ANTANANARIVO, Mar 10 (AFP): Madagascar's leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, has sacked his prime minister and dissolved the cabinet he appointed soon after seizing power following youth-led protests five months ago.
The colonel chose Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, from the private sector, as prime minister after a military power grab that sent former president Andry Rajoelina fleeing in October.
Randrianirina "announces that, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the government is suspended from its duties," a presidency spokesperson said in a statement Monday.
A new prime minister will be appointed "shortly", he said, without providing a timeline or a reason for the dismissal.
Randrianirina came to power after demonstrations started in September against persistent water and power shortages and snowballed into a protest movement that the government tried to stop with a crackdown, leaving many people dead and injured.