Young protesters in Madagascar say they will continue their demonstrations until President Andry Rajoelina steps down, rejecting his move to dissolve the government as an inadequate response to their demands for sweeping political reform. The protests, which began in late September, have already left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations.
What started as a local protest over worsening power and water shortages in the capital, Antananarivo, has transformed into a nationwide youth movement demanding an end to corruption and political stagnation. The demonstrations, led by a loosely organized group calling itself Gen Z Madagascar, have spread rapidly through towns and cities, galvanized by social media and inspired by similar youth-led uprisings in Indonesia and Nepal.
Madagascar, one of the poorest nations in the world, is grappling with deep inequality and a struggling economy. The World Bank estimates the country’s average annual income at just $545, and Transparency International ranked it 140th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Many protesters see their movement as a generational reckoning with decades of entrenched poverty and political decay.
Activists are calling for Rajoelina’s resignation, the dissolution of parliament, the replacement of constitutional court judges, and an overhaul of the electoral commission. They also demand a full investigation into corruption networks they claim are tied to the president and his business allies.
“When he decided to dissolve the government, we felt like it was a small victory, but it’s not enough,” said a 26-year-old protester who requested anonymity for fear of arrest. “We want a complete change of the system because the system itself keeps people poor and protects the corrupt. We cannot accept this anymore.”
In a nationally broadcast address, President Rajoelina said he understood the “anger, sadness, and difficulties” faced by citizens and promised to listen to their concerns. He apologised for the government’s failures and said the dissolution was intended to create room for dialogue with young people. But protesters say they will only participate in discussions if they are public and transparent, fearing secret talks could divide their movement.
“It’s literally a mafia,” said an 18-year-old activist who helps run Gen Z Madagascar’s social media accounts. “They will pretend to talk to us, but it’s never in our interest. We’ve seen how they operate before.”
The group has built links with youth movements in Asia through online forums such as Discord. They have adopted symbolic imagery from global pop culture, including a protest flag featuring a skull from the Japanese anime One Piece, now wearing a traditional Malagasy satroka hat. The flag has become a rallying emblem for young people across Madagascar.
The influence of international Gen Z activism is evident. Protesters have echoed the language and tactics of youth movements in Nepal and Indonesia, which recently forced their governments to make major concessions. “After what happened in Nepal, we know our voices are powerful,” one activist said. “We don’t have to accept the status quo anymore.”
Tensions have continued to rise across the island. The government has accused protesters of looting and destroying property. “We lost our jobs, our houses were raided,” said government spokesperson Lova Hasinirina Ranoromaro in a Facebook post. However, activists deny the accusations and say they have organised cleanup campaigns to repair damage caused during the protests.
The youth movement has drawn widespread attention from international observers, who warn that the situation could escalate if no compromise is reached. Some analysts note the danger of the unrest turning into a repeat of the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power after mass demonstrations against then-president Marc Ravalomanana.
Despite the risks, protesters remain undeterred. Several activists say some of their colleagues have gone into hiding after reports of police raids and surveillance. Yet they insist they will not be silenced until the political system is reformed. “We are staying constitutional, peaceful, and united,” one youth leader said. “We are not here to destroy but to rebuild our country.”
For many, this struggle has become deeply personal. “If I stop now, who will stand up again?” said a 25-year-old social media coordinator for the movement. “It’s been 15 years of oppression under this regime, and people are tired. We are the last hope of our generation.”
The protests show no sign of slowing, and with international attention now focused on Madagascar, the coming days could determine whether the youth-led movement achieves its goal or faces another crackdown. For now, thousands of young Malagasy continue to fill the streets, convinced that change is not just possible, but inevitable.
