Madagascar: Tribute to the 22 victims of the 2025 uprising in Antananarivo

On September 25, 2026, authorities in Madagascar held a commemorative ceremony in Antananarivo, one year after the popular uprising that led to the fall of former president Andry Rajoelina. On the banks of Lake Anosy, a stele was unveiled to honor the memory of the deceased. According to RFI, this monument pays tribute to the 22 people who lost their lives during the mobilization, based on a count established by the United Nations.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the four high councilors of the Refoundation, relatives of the victims, and Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison. The inauguration opened to the sound of a patriotic song from the anti-colonial struggle. The sculpture presented depicts an armed soldier alongside young people breaking chains, while the leader of the transition, Michael Randrianirina, was expected on site later in the day.

This commemoration, however, sparked reservations among youth activists. Felana Andriatahina, a figure of this citizen movement, recalled that the fundamental social demands remain alive. Expressing her disagreement with the symbolism of the monument, which she equates to the risk of burying their cause, she insisted on the determination of the protesters to continue the fight for which these citizens fell.

The demand for justice remains strong among the survivors of the repression. Mirana Ramiavaorivelo, a 20-year-old student who was seriously injured by a tear gas grenade and treated in Reunion Island, testified about her ordeal during the gathering. She recalled that the peaceful marches demanding access to water and electricity had been violently repressed, calling for the identification and effective trial of the perpetrators of this violence.

Our perspective

The memory of popular struggles is essential for building true sovereignty. In Madagascar, the legitimate quest for water, electricity, and social justice shows that the dignity of peoples depends on concrete responses to their essential rights. The tribute paid to the deceased only makes sense if justice puts an end to impunity and responds to the aspirations of African youth.