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Tsiahy ny Tolona
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Timeline

The days that changed everything

From the first Facebook calls to the fall of the regime, then the year of military-led transition: the struggle, day by day. Every entry links to its sources.

01

The embers

  1. A power born of force

    Andry Rajoelina, then mayor of Antananarivo, seizes power with the backing of CAPSAT, a military unit based in Soamahamanina. The African Union suspends Madagascar.

    civicus

  2. French citizenship revealed

    It emerges that Rajoelina became a naturalised French citizen in November 2014. He is re-elected in November 2023 in a vote boycotted by much of the opposition.

    la1ere-nationalite

  3. The first calls

    Politicians call for protests against power cuts ("Leo Delestage", "Tsy Manaiky Lembenana"). The "Gen Z Madagascar" Facebook page passes 100,000 followers in five days.

    wikiswp

  4. Meanwhile, in New York

    The president addresses the UN General Assembly. Back in Antananarivo, the capital sits in the dark.

    wiki

02

The uprising

  1. Day 1: youth take the streets

    High-school and university students defy the protest ban. Tear gas, rubber bullets. Looting breaks out on the margins. A 7 p.m.–5 a.m. curfew is imposed on Antananarivo. Journalists are attacked.

    wikicivicus

  2. A minister sacrificed

    The energy minister is fired. The anger does not subside: deadly violence is reported in Antsiranana, in the north.

    wiki

  3. Live ammunition

    Security forces push protesters back with live rounds. Curfews spread to other major cities.

    wikiamnesty

  4. Government dissolved, 22 dead

    Rajoelina dissolves Christian Ntsay's government. The UN human rights office reports at least 22 dead and more than 100 injured. Protesters now demand the president's resignation.

    pbswiki

  5. Unions join the streets

    The Solidarité syndicale de Madagascar collective calls a general strike. The opposition lines up behind Gen Z.

    civicuswiki

  6. A general as prime minister

    The president appoints General Ruphin Zafisambo as prime minister. To the youth, it is proof he wants to answer with force, not dialogue.

    wiki

  7. The barricades

    New clashes in Antananarivo: stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets. Photographer Luis Tato (AFP) captures young people pushing a metal container as a barricade, an image later honoured by World Press Photo 2026.

    wppwiki

03

The turning point

  1. CAPSAT refuses to shoot

    The military unit that brought Rajoelina to power in 2009 calls on soldiers to disobey orders and joins the protesters on 13 May Square.

    wikitime

  2. The president flees

    13 May Square is occupied: speeches, prayers, concerts. Rajoelina leaves the country, according to several media reports on a French military aircraft via Réunion. In a Facebook address from an undisclosed location, he refuses to resign.

    wikitimefrance24

  3. Impeachment

    Rajoelina tries to dissolve the National Assembly by decree. MPs vote to impeach him anyway: 130 votes in favour. Colonel Michael Randrianirina announces the army is taking power and suspends all institutions except the Assembly.

    wikibritannica

  4. The African Union suspends Madagascar

    "The rule of law must prevail over the rule of force," says the AU Commission chairperson. Madagascar is suspended with immediate effect.

    aljazeera-auafricanews

  5. A colonel as president

    Michael Randrianirina is sworn in as president of the "Refoundation" and promises elections within two years.

    britannicacivicus

  6. Gen Z denounces opacity

    Businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo is named prime minister. Gen Z condemns an appointment made "without consultation".

    wikicivicus

  7. Rajoelina stripped of nationality

    A decree in the Official Journal records the loss of his Malagasy nationality under the Nationality Code, for voluntarily acquiring French citizenship.

    la1ere-nationalite

04

The year of transition

  1. The "national consultation"

    Colonel Randrianirina launches a national consultation for the "refoundation" of the country.

    allafrica-concertation

  2. A timetable

    Consultations are to last six months; elections are announced for 2027.

    allafrica-2027

  3. A new prime minister

    Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo is removed. Mamitiana Rajaonarison, former head of SAMIFIN (the financial intelligence and anti-money-laundering unit), is appointed.

    la1ere-pm

  4. Gen Z back on the streets, and arrested

    A peaceful march demands an election date and a real fight against corruption. Two days later, activists including Herizo Andriamanantena are arrested; some are charged with "undermining state security".

    france24-peurla1ere-gavfp

  5. Youth consultation

    The national youth consultation for the Refoundation opens while Gen Z activists are still in custody. Its final resolution is submitted on 1 August 2026.

    la1ere-gav

  6. A referendum, then a presidential vote

    Under pressure, the authorities announce a constitutional referendum for June 2027 and a presidential election for October 2027. National consultations begin on 3 June 2026.

    fpfrance24-refondation

  7. First anniversary

    25 September is declared a paid public holiday. A monument is unveiled at Anosy. Part of Gen Z boycotts the official ceremony and marches from Ambohidahy to 13 May Square: "Tsiahy ny tolona".

    la1ere-ferieallafrica-commemorationnewsmadaafriquinfos