Political tensions are rising in Madagascar after some soldiers declared their support for the youth-led Gen Z movement protesting against President Andry Rajoelina. Mass demonstrations took place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in the capital, Antananarivo. It was the first time Gen Z protesters entered the historic May 13 Square since the demonstrations began last month. The protests, inspired by similar youth movements in Kenya and Nepal, started on September 25 over severe water and electricity shortages. They have since escalated into the biggest challenge to President Rajoelina’s rule s

Political tensions are rising in Madagascar after some soldiers declared their support for the youth-led Gen Z movement protesting against President Andry Rajoelina. Mass demonstrations took place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in the capital, Antananarivo. It was the first time Gen Z protesters entered the historic May 13 Square since the demonstrations began last month. The protests, inspired by similar youth movements in Kenya and Nepal, started on September 25 over severe water and electricity shortages. They have since escalated into the biggest challenge to President Rajoelina’s rule since his re-election in 2023. Rajoelina, who first came to power in 2009 through a military-backed coup, dismissed his cabinet last week and appointed a new prime minister in an effort to ease tensions. On Saturday, soldiers from the CAPSAT unit the same force that helped Rajoelina seize power in 2009 made a rare public statement expressing solidarity with protesters calling for his resignation. Videos circulating on social media showed CAPSAT soldiers urging their colleagues to “support the people.” Senior military officials, including the army chief of staff and a senior defense ministry official, have called on troops to prioritize dialogue and restraint. The United Nations reports that at least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 injured during the ongoing protests.

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