Oct 17, 2025 | written by: Tommaso Ciuffoletti
Madagascar — an island of extraordinary biodiversity and beauty where we’ve been working for many years — now stands at a historic crossroads. The streets are filled with young people demanding dignity and rights, while an elite military unit determines the fate of power. Politics, economics, and the environment are intertwined in a complex knot where old historical scars and deep structural weaknesses are once again coming to light.
This article retraces recent events, revisits the legacy of past coups, and explores the country’s economic and social landscape. Finally, it looks at how Treedom’s initiatives on the ground may represent a tangible form of hope. Because in times of uncertainty, planting a tree means giving breath to the future and roots to the community.
Chronicle: What Happened
The protests, which began in late September and were largely driven by young people and so-called “Gen Z” movements, erupted over urgent demands for improvements to essential services such as electricity and water, anti-corruption measures, and greater economic opportunities—something the island continues to struggle to provide.
In response, an elite military unit—the CAPSAT—refused to suppress the demonstrators and gradually took on a political role. In the days that followed, Parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina, who has since left the country or taken refuge abroad for security reasons.
The declaration of a military-led transitional council has suspended or dissolved several institutions, announcing a transitional period that may last until new elections are held.
Celebrations over the president’s resignation are now mingled with widespread concern: citizens are calling for a swift return to civilian rule, while analysts and public opinion fear consequences for governance and international aid.
A Step Back: The Memory of 2009
To understand the current crisis, it helps to look back to 2009—a watershed year in Madagascar’s political history. At that time, Rajoelina himself was on the opposite side of the barricade: a young mayor of Antananarivo, he led protests against then-president Marc Ravalomanana, accused of authoritarianism and economic favoritism.
The spark for that uprising was twofold: the government’s shutdown of Rajoelina’s television station, Viva TV, and a controversial deal with the South Korean multinational Daewoo, which planned to lease 1.3 million hectares of land—nearly half of the country’s arable territory—for 99 years.
On February 7, 2009, presidential guards opened fire on demonstrators marching toward the palace, killing at least 28 people. That massacre shifted the balance of power: within days, the same elite military unit—the CAPSAT—mutinied, sided with Rajoelina, and forced Ravalomanana to resign.
Sixteen years later, history seems to have come full circle.
The president who in 2009 had promised democracy and development now faces accusations of the same authoritarian tendencies he once condemned. And once again, the CAPSAT has become the decisive force—refusing orders to repress and turning its back on the very man it once helped bring to power.
The past is not only repeating itself—it’s doing so with cruel irony. The same force that once opened the way for a “new democracy” is now closing it, accusing that very system of betraying the people and their daily needs.
Economic and Social Context: Why the Anger Has Erupted Now
Madagascar is an extraordinary country, yet an extremely fragile one.
Its biodiversity—among the richest in the world—exists alongside one of the planet’s poorest economies. According to the World Bank, over 75% of the population lives below the poverty line.
The economy is driven by agriculture and mineral resources, but weak infrastructure, intermittent electricity, and water scarcity severely limit productivity.
Climate change exacerbates these challenges: increasingly frequent cyclones, prolonged droughts, and soil degradation are devastating entire rural communities. In 2024, the country experienced one of the worst food crises in decades, leaving millions in food insecurity.
On the economic front, the Coface report classifies Madagascar as a “very high” country risk: political instability, inflation, and limited access to credit make it difficult to launch or sustain productive and sustainable activities.
Youth unemployment, a lack of opportunities, and widespread perceptions of corruption have transformed public frustration into a broad social movement—one that now demands dignity even before democracy.
Impacts and Scenarios
In the short term, the priority is to protect the civilian population and ensure the continuity of development and cooperation projects. Interruptions in international aid, suspension of funding, and supply chain challenges could further aggravate an already critical economic situation.
Over the medium term, three scenarios are emerging:
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A rapid return to civilian transition, supported by international organizations.
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An extended military government, with the risk of diplomatic isolation.
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Widespread and persistent instability, which could undermine food security and environmental conservation.
In such a context, the ability of local communities to self-organize and develop alternative livelihoods becomes essential.
Treedom’s Perspective: Roots of Resilience
Treedom has been active in Madagascar since 2017, implementing projects aimed at planting trees, establishing nurseries, and supporting rural communities through sustainable agroforestry practices.
In the regions of Vohiday and Ambositra, Treedom collaborates with local partners such as TsiryParma, promoting soil protection, agricultural diversification, and income generation through crops that coexist with the forest.
In times of political instability, these projects take on an even deeper significance: they represent a tangible form of resilience, helping to ensure food security, income, and hope in contexts where trust in institutions is fragile. Planting a tree in Madagascar is not just an environmental act—it is a vote of confidence in the future.
Conclusion
Madagascar is going through a delicate moment, where politics, economics, and the environment are tightly intertwined.
Yet within this complexity lies the possibility of a fresh start. Crises, when they force us to confront vulnerabilities, can also become turning points.
Treedom will continue to be present on the ground, guided by the belief that every tree planted, every community supported, and every section of forest protected is also an act of peace and a shared investment in the future.
