Madagascar: One year later, Gen Z activists denounce a 'betrayal' by the military government

One year after the start of the Malagasy youth uprising on September 25, 2025, several activists from the Gen Z Madagascar movement say they feel betrayed by the military government that came to power through their mobilization, according to an Africanews report published on September 26, 2026.

From a revolt against power cuts to a military transition

The protest began over water and electricity shortages before targeting President Andry Rajoelina. In October 2025, the army intervened, and Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as the transitional leader on October 17. He promised elections by the end of 2027.

For Felana Andriatahina, 32, quoted by Africanews, the current situation is a "betrayal" of those who demonstrated and enabled the military's rise to power.

Activists arrested

In April 2026, when young people organized a march to demand reforms, six activists were arrested, according to Africanews. Among them, Herizo Andriamanantena, a 30-year-old agricultural engineer considered a figurehead of the movement, remained in detention for 13 days. Nomena Ratsihorimanana, 36, who works in human rights, spent five days in detention after being struck by an all-terrain vehicle.

Their lawyer, Maromanana Aliarivelo, denounces the use of the charge of "undermining state security," which he describes as a tool long used by successive governments against their opponents.

A majority youth, but rarely heard

Approximately 70% of Malagasy people are under 30, according to UNICEF. The movement primarily brought together urban and educated youth. Its Facebook page, followed by nearly 200,000 people, was hacked and then deleted shortly before the military took power, reports Africanews.

These testimonies raise a central question for the transition: will the demands that brought down a president—namely access to basic services, good governance, and freedom of expression—be respected by those who now govern in their name?