Antananarivo: A wave of unrest led by Madagascar’s Gen-Z has toppled the government, compelling President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.
The protests, sparked on September 25, 2025, over acute water and electricity shortages, escalated into violent clashes, claiming 22 lives. The youth, frustrated by the lack of basic services, took to the streets in thousands, clashing with security forces.
President Andry Rajoelina, who dissolved his government in a bid to quell the unrest, found his efforts futile as the military joined the protesters. A key military unit, CAPSAT, defied orders to fire on demonstrators, aligning instead with the youth’s demands.
This unprecedented rebellion isolated the president, who first seized power in 2009 with military backing, stepped down in 2014, and returned as president in 2018 after winning elections.
On October 12, 2025, at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron, Andry Rajoelina was airlifted to safety aboard a French military plane, as confirmed by Radio France International. Opposition leaders reported that weeks of protests had increasingly isolated the president.
The uprising marks a significant shift in Madagascar’s political landscape, with Gen Z and the military uniting against systemic failures.
As the nation grapples with ongoing instability, the world watches closely to see what lies ahead for the African island.