Arrests Fuel Fears Among Madagascar's Gen Z Protesters That New Regime No Better Than One They Overthrew
Jubilation is turning to disenchantment as young activists face arrests after protests calling for an election date to be set in Madagascar. The arrest of several protesters has heightened fears among the youth that the military regime, which seized power last year following massive Gen Z demonstrations, may prove no improvement over the government it toppled.
Activists Detained Amid Security Allegations
Four Gen Z activists—Herizo Andriamanantena, Miora Rakotomalala, Dina Randrianarisoa, and Nomena Ratsihorimanana—were arrested on April 12, according to their lawyer Aliarivelo Maromanana. The arrests occurred two days after they participated in a protest demanding the establishment of an election date. They face charges related to undermining state security and criminal conspiracy, which Maromanana disputes, stating, "They've all denied it and there's no evidence whatsoever."
Col Michael Randrianirina assumed power in a coup in October 2025 after weeks of youth-led protests under the banner Gen Z Madagascar. When questioned about the arrests, his spokesperson, Harry Laurent Rahajason, emphasized the separation of powers, noting, "Here in Madagascar there is what we call the separation of powers. So the presidency has nothing to do with cases dealt with by the national police."
Health Concerns and Further Arrests
Two of the activists were released and hospitalized on Tuesday, as reported by Maromanana. By Friday, only Herizo, the group's leader, remained in detention. Local media cited the national police asserting that the activists were not harmed or intimidated during detention, attributing the hospitalizations to illness. In a further escalation, two more activists were arrested on Wednesday night, as announced by Gen Z 261, a group stemming from the previously leaderless Gen Z Madagascar movement. Details about their detention remain scarce.
Disenchantment with the New Regime
Initially, young people celebrated the ousting of former president Andry Rajoelina in October. However, disillusionment has set in due to Randrianirina's appointments of government officials perceived as part of the old, corrupt elite, a lack of economic reforms, and the regime's growing ties with Russia. Ketakandriana Rafitoson, a board member of Transparency International Madagascar, expressed serious concerns, stating, "It is a pattern we saw under the previous administration and one that many hoped would be broken with the transition. So last Friday's protests were a test for this regime and they failed it."
Background on Madagascar's Struggles
Madagascar, an Indian Ocean island with 32 million inhabitants, is renowned for its biodiversity and natural resources like vanilla, rubies, and sapphires. Yet, it has been plagued by coups, corruption, and climate-related disasters such as cyclones and droughts. In 2024, it ranked as the fifth poorest country globally, with a GDP per capita of $545, according to the World Bank.
Protests erupted in September after two councillors in Antananarivo were arrested for demonstrating against water and electricity outages. Since the regime change, these services have not significantly improved, as noted by Elliot Randriamandrato, a leader of Gen Z Madagasikara. He remarked, "For the moment, there's no real reforms that have been implemented by the government. That's maybe why everyone is so frustrated, because we don't see anything clear and visible."
Calls for Constitutional Reform
Randriamandrato emphasized that his group is less focused on an election date—the president has indicated it will occur within two years of his takeover—and more on a new constitution. He explained, "We ask for more clarity on the date of the constitutional consultation, because the date and the methodology and the way they're going to lead this important moment ... it's during those consultations that the real issues are going to be addressed." He cited electoral reform as a key demand, criticizing the current system for favoring wealthier candidates.
When asked about constitutional reform, the president's spokesperson referenced a press conference where he discussed corruption investigations totaling 3,811 billion ariary and linked them to threats against the president. Rahajason also presented a video allegedly showing drones near the president's home on April 11 and claimed there was a plan to set the national parliament on fire, as reported by Radio France Internationale.
International Tensions and Foreign Influence
The military regime has received military donations from Russia, including trucks, helicopters, and tanks, following Randrianirina's visit to Putin in Moscow in February. Rahajason confirmed the presence of Russians in the presidential guard, defending their inclusion by questioning why similar practices by other nations are accepted. Shely Andriamihaja of Gen Z Madagasikara voiced concerns, stating, "We are very worried about the risk of new state capture from foreign countries," clarifying that this does not imply support for France, the former colonial ruler.
As Madagascar grapples with these challenges, the arrests and ongoing protests underscore a deepening crisis of confidence among its youth, who fear a return to the corruption and instability they fought to overthrow.
