The detention of several young activists in Madagascar has sharpened Gen Z’s worries that the military regime that seized power last year may be repeating the same abuses they protested against. Four prominent Gen Z figures — Herizo Andriamanantena, Miora Rakotomalala, Dina Randrianarisoa and Nomena Ratsihorimanana — were arrested on 12 April after taking part in a demonstration two days earlier that demanded a date for national elections, their lawyer Aliarivelo Maromanana said. Authorities have charged them with undermining state security and criminal conspiracy; the lawyer says they deny the accusations and that no evidence has been presented.
Col. Michael Randrianirina came to power in a coup in October 2025 following weeks of youth-led demonstrations under the banner of Gen Z Madagascar. When asked about the arrests, the presidency’s spokesman, Harry Laurent Rahajason, stressed separation of powers and said the presidency does not direct police investigations. Two of the detainees were later released and taken to hospital, Maromanana said; by Friday only Herizo, the movement’s leader, remained in custody. Local media quoted police as saying the detained activists were not harmed and that those hospitalized had become ill. On the night of the following Wednesday, two more activists were reportedly arrested, according to Gen Z 261, one of the groups that emerged from the previously leaderless movement; authorities have given no further details.
Many young people who celebrated when former president Andry Rajoelina fled last October now say they feel disillusioned. They point to Mr Randrianirina’s appointment of officials associated with the old elite, a lack of meaningful economic reforms and growing ties between the new regime and Russia. Ketakandriana Rafitoson, a board member of Transparency International Madagascar, said the arrests raise ‘serious concerns around the respect for fundamental freedoms,’ warning that the pattern looks similar to the previous administration and represents a failed test for the new leadership.
Madagascar, an Indian Ocean island nation of about 32 million people, is rich in biodiversity and natural resources — vanilla, rubies and sapphires among them — but has long been plagued by coups, corruption and climate-driven disasters such as cyclones and droughts. In 2024 the World Bank recorded the country among the world’s poorest, with a GDP per capita of roughly $545.
The protests that helped change power began in September when two city councillors in the capital, Antananarivo, were arrested after demonstrating about water and electricity outages. Activists say service levels have not improved since the regime change. ‘For the moment, there’s no real reforms that have been implemented by the government. That’s maybe why everyone is so frustrated,’ said Elliot Randriamandrato, a leader of Gen Z Madagasikara. He added that his group is prioritizing a new constitution over a specific election date; the president has said elections will be held within two years of his October takeover. Activists insist they need clarity on the timing, methodology and conduct of constitutional consultations, arguing those processes will determine whether issues such as electoral reform are genuinely addressed. Many complain the current system ‘only permits people with more money to win.’
The presidency has linked some unrest to alleged threats and to corruption investigations. Rahajason pointed to a probe into alleged embezzlement of roughly 3,811 billion ariary (around £679m) and suggested those inquiries relate to threats against the president. He also released video he said showed drones over the president’s home on 11 April and claimed there were plans to set the national parliament on fire.
Security ties with Russia have also unsettled activists. Since Mr Randrianirina’s visit to Moscow in February, the presidency has showcased donations said to include military trucks, helicopters and tanks from Russia. Shely Andriamihaja of Gen Z Madagasikara warned of ‘the risk of new state capture from foreign countries,’ while stressing she was not defending Madagascar’s former colonial power, France. Rahajason confirmed that Russian personnel are part of the presidential guard but responded defensively when pressed about their numbers or roles, comparing the arrangement to other countries that use foreign guards.
Together, the arrests and the regime’s security and diplomatic moves have left many young activists questioning whether the movement that helped bring this government to power will see the reforms and freedoms it sought, or whether the new leadership will reproduce the patterns they rallied against.