Madagascar ex-Senate president sentenced to 10 years over protest crackdown
Madagascar's former Senate president, Richard Ravalomanana, was sentenced to 10 years of hard labor for complicity in murder over his alleged role in a deadly crackdown on youth-led protests in 2025. Ravalomanana, a retired general and ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, denies the charges and plans to appeal the conviction.
Why it matters
This conviction highlights accountability for state violence against protesters and the ongoing political instability in Madagascar, potentially influencing future governance and human rights in the region.
Madagascar's former Senate president Richard Ravalomanana was sentenced to 10 years of hard labour on Tuesday after being convicted of complicity in murder over his alleged role in a deadly crackdown on youth-led protests last year.
Ravalomanana, a retired general and ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, denied the charges and said he would appeal.
Prosecutors accused him of directing security forces to use violence against protesters during demonstrations in September and October 2025. The protests began over persistent shortages of water and electricity before growing into a wider movement against Rajoelina's government.
At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured during the unrest, according to UN figures cited by local media.
The protests helped trigger a political crisis that ended with Rajoelina's removal from office and the installation of a new administration led by Col Michael Randrianirina.
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