Madagascar ex-Senate chief sentenced to hard labour over deadly Gen Z protest crackdown
Madagascar's former Senate president, Richard Ravalomanana, has been sentenced to 10 years of hard labour after being found guilty of complicity in murder over the violent crackdown on youth-led "Gen Z" protests that toppled the previous government. A court in the capital, Antananarivo, ruled on Tuesday that Ravalomanana, a retired general and close ally of ousted president Andry Rajoelina, had directed security forces, including the gendarmerie, to use force against demonstrators. He denies the allegations and plans to appeal.
The protests, which began in September 2025 over chronic power and water shortages before broadening into wider anti-government unrest, left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to UN figures. The upheaval ultimately forced Rajoelina from power and brought a new administration led by Col Michael Randrianirina to office. Ravalomanana was removed as Senate president last October and arrested in December after ignoring a summons, having since been held at the high-security Imerintsiatosika prison. A separate death-threat charge against him was dropped as too old to prosecute, while his defence argued no direct evidence linked him to orders given to security forces; he also faces a separate corruption probe.
In short
- Ex-Senate chief Ravalomanana jailed 10 years for role in deadly crackdown
- Gen Z protests killed 22, forced Rajoelina from power in 2025
- Ravalomanana denies charges, says he will appeal the verdict
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The prosecution’s case is that, as a senior official with influence over the security forces, Ravalomanana directed or enabled the use of lethal force against protesters, making him complicit in deaths even if he did not personally carry out violence. A conviction could affirm that leaders can be held accountable for abuses committed under their authority and offer recognition to victims and their families.
The case against
Ravalomanana denies the allegations, and his defence says there is no direct evidence that he ordered security forces to use force. Given the gravity of a 10-year hard-labour sentence, the case for caution is that responsibility must be established through reliable evidence and a fair process, rather than inferred from his position or political association; his planned appeal provides an opportunity to scrutinise the conviction.
Explained simply
Madagascar’s Senate is part of its national parliament, and its president is a senior political figure. Richard Ravalomanana, a retired general, was a close ally of Andry Rajoelina, who led the government before being forced from power. The gendarmerie is a national security force with policing duties.
The “Gen Z” protests began in September 2025 over frequent shortages of electricity and water, then grew into wider opposition to the government. UN figures put the toll at at least 22 people killed and more than 100 injured. The unrest led to a change of government, with Colonel Michael Randrianirina taking office.
The case concerns whether Ravalomanana was responsible for security forces’ actions during the protests. It matters because it addresses accountability for deaths during political unrest and involves figures from both the former and current political order. He denies the allegations and plans to appeal.
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