The uprising of Malagasy youth, led by Generation Z on social media, marked a historic turning point by bringing down the regime of Andry Rajoelina (between September 25 and October 14).

However, a month after the fall of the regime, the euphoria of the "revolution" gave way to a feeling of bitterness: the traditional political system seemed to have regained the victory .

The Confiscation of Power and the Government of Elites

The appointment of a Prime Minister and the formation of the new government were carried out without any consultation with the young people who started the movement.

“The revolution has been hijacked,” laments Elie Ramanankavana , a young poet and cultural journalist close to the Gen Z movement.

The government's announcement, delayed twice (finally released on October 28), reflects the difficulty of forming a legitimate government. Of the 29 members, while a few experts and new figures emerge, the composition is a carefully crafted mix of former political figures , opponents, and representatives of the ousted regime. For young people, this illustrates a takeover by the old elites .

The Radical Demands of Gen Z

This movement was born out of immense frustration with:

1. The constant water and electricity cuts .
2. The corruption that is eating away at the country.

Despite the repression, urban youth, connected and determined, took to the streets to demand radical change, far beyond issues of public services.

"We are calling for total change, a radical transformation that goes beyond just water and electricity issues," reads the movement's website.

Dialogue of the Deaf and Pragmatic Mistrust

The relationship between the new authorities and Gen Z is marked by ambivalence.

Spokesperson	Listen	Political Consultation
Sariaka Senecal	“We were received at the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Youth. Discussions are underway.”	"But for the political appointments, no consultation took place."
Elliot Randriamandrato	N / A	"The president's attitude is one of contempt. From the choice of the prime minister to that of the ministers, we were never consulted."

Gen Z is now positioning itself as a safeguard : "We are keeping an eye on the ministers. The presidency has given a two-month ultimatum to show results, we have the same ," warns Sariaka.

Ultimately, expectations have been disappointed: "We are witnessing a superficial overhaul ," says Elie Ramanankavana. No constitutional revision or structural reform is planned. The conclusion is unequivocal: "The faces change, but the underlying principles remain the same."

From Spontaneous Revolution to Structured Political Force

The co-opting of the revolution was predictable for a movement that was born spontaneously and horizontally. However, this generation has not died out; it is structuring itself and learning .

1. Political Strategy: Regional consultations, a charter and a roadmap are being developed to consolidate their action.
2. Issue of Representation: To "have more weight", it is necessary to move away from pure horizontality and adopt a "traditional structure: office, committees, identified leaders" (Elliot Randriamandrato).
3. Objective: To move from street politics to table politics for a real overhaul.

Gen Z is still undecided between becoming a political party or remaining an advisory body (a force for proposals and oversight). Whichever path they choose, the goal is to influence decisions and bring about real transformation.

The Debate on the Nature of the "Tipping Point" of October 14th

The movement itself has disagreements on how to characterize the events that led to Rajoelina's downfall:

Position	Analysis	Involvement
Elie Ramanankavana (Coup d'état)	"Chronologically, it's a coup d'état. The army seized power even before the High Constitutional Court's decision."	It highlights a breakdown of the constitutional order.
Sariaka Senecal & Elliot Randriamandrato (Legal)	With Rajoelina having fled, the High Constitutional Court (HCC) filled the institutional void. "We remained within the bounds of legality. There was a constitutional impeachment and endorsement."	Aims to legitimize the transition and avoid international condemnation.

Despite this attempt at internal legitimation, the African Union made its decision on October 15, suspending Madagascar from its bodies and describing the situation as a coup d'état.

The Real Challenge Ahead

While the youth have succeeded in overthrowing the regime, the major challenge begins now. The history of Madagascar (1972, 2009) shows that each uprising has resulted in the failure of profound reform.

“If nothing changes, the cycle will repeat itself,” warns Elie Ramanankavana.

Gen Z must now build a citizen republic and break with historical reflexes:

1. The concentration of power around a strongman.
2. Ethnic loyalties as the basis of politics.

The victory of the youth will not only be political, but above all cultural: to create the Malagasy citizen so that this generation can finally be the author of its own history.