Groups of soldiers in Madagascar on Saturday joined thousands of demonstrators in the capital, Antananarivo, in an escalating wave of protests against bad governance, worsening living conditions, and state repression.
According to AFP, the soldiers, some waving the national flag, marched into the Lake Anosy area—epicentre of the youth-led protests—where they were greeted with loud cheers and chants of “Thank you!” from the crowd. The troops reportedly vowed not to obey any orders to shoot civilians, urging fellow officers to “close the gates and await instructions” instead.
“Do not obey orders from your superiors,” one protester told the soldiers. “Point your weapons at those who tell you to fire on your brothers and sisters, because they will not take care of our families if we die.”
The demonstrations, which began on September 25 over severe power and water shortages, have swelled into one of the largest anti-government movements in years. Saturday’s rally drew the biggest turnout yet, with protesters calling for an end to corruption and poor governance under President Andry Rajoelina.
Security forces responded with stun grenades and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Several people were injured earlier in the week as police used rubber bullets and armoured vehicles against protesters. Viral videos have shown officers brutally beating demonstrators, including one man left unconscious after being chased and assaulted—footage that AFP journalists confirmed as authentic.
The United Nations on Friday condemned the excessive use of force, urging Malagasy authorities to “uphold the rights to free association and peaceful assembly.” The UN also reported that at least 22 people were killed in the early days of the protests, though President Rajoelina has disputed this figure, claiming there were only 12 deaths, all of whom he described as “looters and vandals.”
Initially adopting a conciliatory tone, Rajoelina dissolved his cabinet in response to the protests. However, he has since hardened his stance—appointing a military officer as prime minister on October 6 and selecting key cabinet members from the armed forces and police, declaring that the country “no longer needs disturbances.”
In a press briefing, Defence Minister General Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo appealed for calm and urged dissenting soldiers to choose dialogue over confrontation. “The Malagasy army remains a mediator and the nation’s last line of defence,” he stated.
Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest nations, has a long history of military involvement in political upheavals. The 2009 uprising—also backed by parts of the military—toppled then-president Marc Ravalomanana and brought Rajoelina to power for the first time. He was later re-elected in 2018 and 2023 in elections boycotted by the opposition.
The ongoing protests by the youth-led “Gen Z” movement now represent the strongest challenge yet to Rajoelina’s rule, as more segments of the armed forces signal solidarity with a frustrated populace demanding change.
