President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar has dissolved his government after deadly protests in the country over repeated water and electricity outages.

“I have decided to terminate the functions of the prime minister and the government. Pending the formation of the new government, those in office will act as interim ministers,” Mr Rajoelina said in a televised national address.

Scores of predominantly “Gen Z demonstrators” have taken to the streets in cities across Madagascar since last Thursday, protesting the longstanding water and power cuts.

The protests, led mostly by young men and women, have claimed at least 22 lives and left more than a hundred people injured, the BBC reported.

The demonstrations, which first started in the capital, Antananarivo, have since spread to eight cities across the country.

Thousands, many dressed in black and chanting calls for Mr Rajoelina to resign, have marched in Antananarivo since the protests began last week.

Last week, Mr Rajoelina announced that he had sacked the energy minister for failing to do his job properly, but the angry protesters demanded that the president and the rest of his government step down as well.

“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems,” he said on Monday.

Mr Rajoelina added that he wanted to hold talks with young people.

Police have responded with force, firing teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.

Madagascar has been rocked by multiple uprisings since it gained independence in 1960, including mass protests in 2009 that forced former president Marc Ravalomanana to step down and saw Mr Rajoelina take over power.