Madagascar’s Gen Z Vows to Fight On as Anti-Government Protests Intensify
Madagascar’s Gen Z Vows to Fight On as Anti-Government Protests Intensify
Young protesters in Madagascar, rallying under the banner of ‘Gen Z Madagascar,’ have declared their unwavering commitment to continue their fight for the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina, dismissing his recent dissolution of the government as an insufficient concession.
The widespread unrest, which erupted on September 25 following the arrest of local councillors protesting water and electricity outages in the capital, Antananarivo, has since claimed 22 lives and left 100 injured, according to UN reports. Fueled by social media, these youth-led demonstrations have rapidly spread across the Indian Ocean island nation.
Activists, operating as a leaderless collective, are demanding radical systemic change. Their key demands include the president’s immediate resignation, the dissolution of parliament, the replacement of constitutional court judges and electoral commission members, and a thorough eradication of corruption they attribute to the president and his close associates.
President Rajoelina, who himself came to power following 2009 street protests, addressed the nation on Monday, announcing the dissolution of his government and expressing apologies for failures in public services. He also called for dialogue with the youth. However, Gen Z Madagascar activists remain highly skeptical, insisting that any talks must be public and fully transparent, with some outright rejecting negotiations as a tactic to divide their movement.
Drawing inspiration from successful youth movements in countries like Nepal and Indonesia, Malagasy protesters have adopted symbols such as a modified One Piece flag. Despite accusations of looting from Malagasy officials, which activists vehemently deny, the movement emphasizes its commitment to constitutional means and a desire to avoid a repeat of the 2009 coup.
Facing risks of arrest, the young protesters remain resolute. As one 25-year-old activist stated, “If I don’t do it, who’s going to do it? If it’s not now, then when?” underscoring their belief that they are the last hope for meaningful change after 15 years under the current regime.
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