2025 Malagasy protests
 | This article documents a current protest and may change rapidly. (September 2025) |
| 2025 Malagasy protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | September 25, 2025 | ||
| Location | Madagascar, particularly Antananarivo | ||
| Caused by | Power and water cuts in Antananarivo, poverty in Madagascar | ||
| Parties | |||
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| Casualties and losses | |||
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Protests erupted in the Malagasy capital of Antananarivo in September 2025. The protests concerned have recently implemented water and power cuts in the city. Homes of high-profile politicians have been targeted. Protests have also spread to other parts of the country.[1]
Background
[edit]Located off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar has long been one of the poorest countries in the world. The World Bank estimated that in 2022, 75% of the country lived under the poverty line, out of a country of 30 million.[2] Incumbent president Andry Rajoelina, who has dominated the country's politics since it's 2009 revolution and was recently re-elected in 2023[3] in a vote that faced significant boycotts from the opposition, has been blamed for much of the country's recent economic woes.[4][5]
The capital of Antananarivo regularly sees widespread power and water cuts that last for up to 12 hours at a time.[6] A call for protests began circulating on social media in September 2025.[2][6]
Demonstrations
[edit]A day preceding the demonstrations, the local government banned the protests, citing concerns over civil unrest. A large force of mixed law enforcement had been present in the city since 5:30 am (EAT), cordoning off certain areas.[7] Protestors were thus unable to go to their dedicated meeting ground. At 10:45 (EAT), the first shots of tear gas rang out. Police continued to use tear gas and rubber bullets throughout the day.[8] Protestors set up barricades and burned tires and rocks. Mass looting at various retail, bank, and appliance establishments in Antananarivo began to take place in the afternoon. Protestors also set ablaze stations of the country's new cable car system.[8] According to a hospital source, 5 people died, all bearing AK-47 gunfire wounds, and an unknown amount have been injured.[7] Protestors flew Malagasy flags as well as flags of the Straw Hat Jolly Roger from the Anime and Manga One Piece, which has seen similar usage in contemporary, youth dominated protests such as Nepal.[8]
Three homes of politicians close to Rajoelina were set ablaze by rioters, including the house of Senator Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy and MP Naivo Raholdina. Two prominent Malagasy influencers were arrested during the demonstrations.[9] Outside of the city, the offices of Jirama, the national electricity and water provider, were attacked by protestors.[8]
Social media (more specifically Facebook) was used in the demonstrations to help organize and coordinate protests.[6]
Antananarivo Police Chief Angelo Ravelonarivo announced a curfew lasting from 7 pm (EAT) September 25, 2025, to 5 am (EAT) September 26, 2025.[8]
Despite the protest initially dispersing, they spread into various parts of the capital. In which they were warned to have "take firm preventive...measures against those tempted to break the law."[1][3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Curfew Declared in Madagascar Capital After Violent Protests".
- ^ a b Najjar, Farah. "Madagascar imposes curfew after violent protests against water, power cuts". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ a b "Curfew declared in Madagascar capital after violent protests over water, power shortages". The Straits Times. 2025-09-26. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Madagascar Police Fire Tear Gas At Protest Over Power, Water Cuts". barrons. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ "A Madagascar, des gaz lacrymogènes envoyés sur des manifestants dénonçant les coupures d'eau et d'électricité" (in French). 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ a b c "Madagascar imposes nighttime curfew after violent protests over water and power cuts".
- ^ a b "Madagascar: les Tananariviens défient l'interdiction et manifestent contre les coupures d'eau et d'électricité". RFI (in French). 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ a b c d e Tétaud, Sarah (2025-09-25). "Madagascar imposes nighttime curfew after violent protests over water and power cuts". AP News. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ "Manifestations anti-délestage à Antananarivo : arrestations et affrontements avec les forces de l'ordre". Linfo.re. Retrieved 2025-09-25.