Madagascar’s former Senate president, retired general Richard Ravalomanana, has been sentenced to ten years of hard labour for his alleged role in the violent crackdown on youth‑led protests that toppled the former president in 2025.
The court in Antananarivo found him guilty of complicity in murder, accusing him of directing the gendarmerie to use force against demonstrators during the so‑called Gen Z protests of September‑October 2025. Ravalomanana denied the charges and vowed to appeal the verdict.
The protests, sparked by power and water shortages, grew into a broader movement against Rajoelina’s government. At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured, according to UN data. The ensuing political crisis led to Rajoelina’s removal and the appointment of a new administration headed by Col Michael Randrianirina.
Ravalomanana, who had been removed as Senate president in October, was arrested in December after failing to respond to a summons. He has spent the last seven months in pre‑trial detention at Imerintsiatosika prison.
The new government has brought several senior figures from the former regime before the courts. Ravalomanana also faces a separate corruption investigation. A former national police chief testified that Ravalomanana did not issue direct orders to the forces deployed during the unrest, a claim the defence seeks to challenge.
The sentencing is part of a broader effort to hold former officials accountable. Ravalomanana, known for his cowboy‑style hat and military medals, was seen by protesters as a symbol of authoritarian power.
