2025 Madagascar protests
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| September 2025 Madagascar protests | |||
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| 2025 nationwide Madagascar demonstrations Part of the 2025 protests and Politics of Madagascar | |||
| Date | 25 September 2025 – ongoing (269 days) | ||
| Location | Madagascar (primarily Antananarivo, also Toamasina, Antsirabe, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara) 18°55′S 47°31′E / 18.917°S 47.517°ECoordinates: 18°55′S 47°31′E / 18.917°S 47.517°E Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. | ||
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| Methods | Demonstrations, road blockades, civil disobedience, social media mobilisation | ||
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The September 2025 Madagascar protests are an ongoing wave of demonstrations that began on 25 September 2025 in Antananarivo and spread to other cities. Protesters denounced prolonged water and electricity cuts, alleged mismanagement at the state utility Jirama, and wider poverty and governance issues. Authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital; clashes, looting and arson were reported. [1][4]
Background
Infrastructure crisis
Residents of Antananarivo and other towns reported outages of up to 12 hours daily during the dry season. Media cited both low hydroelectric output and longstanding problems at Jirama. [3][1] Water shortages compounded the situation, particularly affecting students and small businesses. [2]
Political context
President Andry Rajoelina, re-elected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by much of the opposition, faced renewed criticism over public services and the cost of living. [4] Around three-quarters of Madagascar’s 30 million people lived below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank. [4]
Social media mobilisation
The first rally was called by “Gen Z Madagascar”, a youth-led collective launched on social media.[3] A parallel slogan, “Leo délestage” (“Fed up with load-shedding”), spread across provinces. [7]
Timeline
25 September
Despite a ban, thousands gathered in central Antananarivo. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets; homes of pro-government politicians were attacked, and cable car stations set ablaze. Looting and arson spread by nightfall. [1][4] Prefect Angelo Ravelonarivo announced a curfew from 19:00 to 05:00. [4] Local reports described unrest across several districts and compared the events to the 2009 crisis. An administrative court later ruled the ban on the demonstration unlawful.[8]
26–27 September
AFP cited a hospital source reporting at least five deaths on 25 September, though no official toll was released. [3] France Télévisions reported at least eight deaths over three days, including in Antsiranana. [6] On 27 September, hundreds of young people gathered again near the University of Antananarivo; police prevented them reaching the city centre and fired tear gas. [5]
Protesters’ demands and symbols
Placards demanded water, electricity and freedom of expression. [1] Some carried a black flag with a straw-hatted skull motif, adapted from popular culture and previously seen in youth protests abroad. [1] Organisers stressed the non-partisan nature of the movement. [3]
Violence and casualties
International outlets reported dozens injured; fatalities ranged from five to eight depending on the source. [3][6] Looting and arson damaged malls and banks; several lawmakers’ homes were attacked. [4][1]
Government response
Curfew and security measures
Authorities imposed a night-time curfew and temporarily closed schools in the capital.[1] The U.S. Embassy warned of further demonstrations nationwide while noting that Ivato International Airport remained open. [9]
Cabinet changes and statements
On 27 September, President Rajoelina announced the dismissal of the energy minister and condemned the violence as “acts of destabilisation”. [5]
Impact
Transport and commerce
Media reported damage to malls and other commercial sites.[4] Air France and KLM issued disruption notices for flights to and from Antananarivo between 26 and 30 September. [10][11]
Spread beyond the capital
Protests were also reported in Toamasina, Antsirabe, Toliara, Antsiranana and Mahajanga, with daytime marches often peaceful but sporadic violence at night.[6][12]
International reaction
The Southern African Development Community expressed concern over “an unconfirmed number of fatalities, injuries, and extensive damage”, and called for calm and dialogue. [13] The African Union issued a similar appeal. [5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Tétaud, Sarah (25 September 2025). "Madagascar imposes nighttime curfew after violent protests over water and power cuts". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Madagascar imposes curfew after violent protests against water, power cuts". Al Jazeera. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "Madagascar: At least five killed in unprecedented protests". Le Monde (AFP). 26 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 "Curfew declared in Madagascar capital after violent protests". Reuters. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Madagascar protesters gather once more, days after unrest began". Le Monde (AFP). 28 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "À Madagascar, la contestation contre les coupures d'eau et d'électricité se poursuit". Mayotte la 1ère (in français). 28 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ "Mouvement « Leo délestage » : vague de manifestations dans les grandes villes". Midi Madagasikara (in français). 26 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ "Antananarivo en flammes, un jeudi noir". Madagascar Tribune (in français). 26 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ "Demonstration Alert – Demonstrations Across Madagascar (Update)". U.S. Embassy Antananarivo. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ "Travel alerts – Madagascar". KLM. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ "Madagascar : l'île se révolte contre les pénuries". TF1 Info (in français). 27 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ Midi Madagasikara, op. cit.
- ↑ "SADC Statement on the Situation in the Republic of Madagascar" (PDF). SADC. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
External links
Category:2025 protests Category:2025 in Madagascar Category:September 2025 events Category:Student protests in Africa
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