Madagascar’s Gen Z activists say military government betrayed them

A year after youth-led protests helped force Madagascar’s president from power, activists involved in the movement say they feel betrayed by the military government that replaced him.

Soldiers Join Demonstrators

The protests began on September 25, 2025, with young people demonstrating over chronic shortages of water and electricity. Weeks later, soldiers from the Capsat military unit joined the protesters, marking a major turning point.

Rajoelina Leaves Power

Then-president Andry Rajoelina fled the Indian Ocean island as the military seized power. Capsat commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as interim leader on October 17, bringing an end to weeks of unrest that left at least 22 people dead.

Activists Expected Reforms

Herizo Andriamanantena, a 30-year-old agricultural engineer who became a prominent figure in the movement, recalled the moment as one of “joy and relief”. However, he said the promised changes that followed were limited to “little changes here and there”.

Crackdown Follows New Protest

In April, Herizo’s group organised another march to protest the slow pace of reforms. Authorities responded by arresting him and five other activists.

Activists Face Security Charges

Herizo said they were accused of endangering state security and having contact with people allegedly planning another coup. He spent 13 days in police custody under a charge that allows authorities to hold suspects for up to 15 days.

Activist Describes Detention

Herizo said he was held in a small cell with about 20 other prisoners, including people accused of serious crimes. He said the experience left him questioning why activists who had fought for political change were being treated as criminals.

Arrests Affect Livelihoods

Herizo also lost his job following his arrest. Another activist, Nomena Ratsihorimanana, who previously worked for the National Human Rights Observatory, also lost his employment.

Activist Alleges Violent Arrest

Ratsihorimanana, 36, said his arrest was violent. He alleged that an SUV struck his motorbike before several people assaulted him for about an hour. He also claimed that guns were put in the activists’ mouths and that they were threatened with death. He was released after five days.

Lawyers Question Security Charges

Lawyer Maromanana Aliarivelo said the charge of endangering state security has historically been used by authorities in Madagascar against people who challenge those in power. He described it as a means of silencing dissent.

Activists Call It Betrayal

Another activist, 32-year-old Felana Andriatahina, said the military government would not be in power without the demonstrations. She described the situation as a betrayal after participating in the collective that helped coordinate the protests.

Movement’s Facebook Page Deleted

The collective’s Facebook page, known as “Gen Z Madagascar”, attracted around 200,000 followers at the height of the demonstrations. Activists said the page was hacked and later deleted shortly before the military joined the protesters.

Diverse Youth Movement

The movement brought together mainly young, urban and educated people, although its participants did not all fit the conventional definition of Generation Z. UNICEF estimates that about 70 percent of Madagascar’s population is under 30.

Activists Remain Divided

Political scientist Ketakandriana Rafitoson said the movement contained numerous groups, making it difficult to identify a single Gen Z faction. One group has recently expressed support for Colonel Randrianirina, who has promised elections by the end of next year.

Anniversary Raises Questions

Other activists remain cautious about official commemorations marking the first anniversary of the protests. Elliot Randriamandrato, one of the original Facebook page administrators, questioned whether the anniversary events could be used for political purposes.

Government Plans Commemoration

Events in the capital Antananarivo include the unveiling of a stele, a march and an address by Randrianirina at May 13 Square, a historic symbol of political protest in Madagascar.