A year after protests helped drive President Andry Rajoelina from power, Madagascar's activists accuse the military-led authorities of repeating old tactics, citing arrests and an April crackdown on a march over the slow pace of promised reforms.
The protests began on Sept. 25, 2025, over chronic water and power shortages. After soldiers from the Capsat unit joined demonstrators in October, Rajoelina fled and the military seized power, swearing in unit commander Col. Michael Randrianirina as interim leader on Oct. 17. At least 22 people died in the unrest, including during a government crackdown.
Herizo Andriamanantena and five other activists were detained after the April march; Herizo spent 13 days in police custody on a charge of endangering state security. Nomena Ratsihorimanana said he was beaten and threatened with death before being released after five days; both men lost their jobs. Randrianirina has promised elections by the end of next year. One faction supports him, while a leader in another expressed wariness about Friday's official anniversary program, which includes a march and an address by Randrianirina.
