Jubilation is turning to disenchantment as young activists arrested after protest calling for election date to be set
The arrest of several protesters in Madagascar has increased fears among young people that the military regime that took power last year after huge Gen Z demonstrations will be no better than the government it overthrew.
Four Gen Z activists, Herizo Andriamanantena, Miora Rakotomalala, Dina Randrianarisoa and Nomena Ratsihorimanana, were arrested on 12 April, one of their lawyers said, two days after taking part in a protest calling for an election date to be set.
They are accused of offences related to undermining state security and criminal conspiracy, said Aliarivelo Maromanana. “They’ve all denied it and there’s no evidence whatsoever,” he said.
Col Michael Randrianirina came to power in a coup in October 2025 after weeks of youth-led protests under the banner Gen Z Madagascar.
