Young protesters in the island nation have stated they will continue their battle for the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina, refusing his government dissolution announced on Monday as insufficient.
According to reports, the death toll reached 22 and around 100 were injured during the demonstrations. The unrest began on 25 September after local councillors were detained for demonstrating against power and water shortages in the capital, Antananarivo. The youth-led protests swiftly extended to other towns and cities, driven by social media and influenced by parallel young activist campaigns in countries like Indonesia and Nepal.
Madagascar is considered one of the world's poorest countries, with an mean yearly earnings of just $545 last year. The Indian Ocean island, with a population of 32 million people, was ranked 140 out of 180 countries in a global corruption ranking for 2024.
Key Requests from Protesters
Activists, who are members of the Gen Z Madagascar group, a non-hierarchical young organization, are calling for:
- The resignation of the president
- The dissolution of parliament
- Replacement of constitutional court judges
- New electoral commission members
- Eliminating corrupt practices that they allege stems from the leader and his inner circle.
“When he decided to dissolve the government, we felt like it was a small victory, but we will not stop there … We really want a radical change of the system because it’s the system that maintains the corruption and also maintains the oppression of the poorest people in the country,” said a young protester who, similar to other demonstrators, asked to remain anonymous for concern about detention.
She continued: “Inspired by Nepal’s outcome, the youth are convinced their voices matter … and that real change is possible. We must not tolerate the existing conditions and we can determine our own path. We will not be offered up to this inadequate government.”
Government Response and Dialogue Prospects
During an address declaring the government's disbandment on Monday, the president, who rose to leadership in 2009 after popular uprisings against his former president, the ex-leader, stated: “We recognize and regret any government members’ failure to fulfill their duties.
“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the call, I felt the suffering, I understood the impact on daily life.” He added that he aimed to open discussions with the youth.
The protester indicated the group would join conversations only if they were visible and entirely honest. A number of other demonstrators rejected talks entirely, stating the president was insincere and trying to split their campaign.
“This is practically a mob,” said an teenage activist, who completed his education this year and helps to run Gen Z Madagascar’s social media accounts. “Of course, they will seek to dialogue, yet it will never serve our needs.”
Global Connections and Symbolism
The youth movement's participants had been learning from fellow young protesters in Asia, he said. They have participated in online forums with Nepali protesters and have customized a symbol featuring a comic-style skull design from the popular anime One Piece, which has been used in protests across Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines. Replacing the standard hat, the skull dons a satroka headpiece from the Betsileo community in Madagascar.
Comparable youth demonstrations have been intensifying in Morocco since the weekend, with two fatalities at the hands of police near Agadir a few days ago.
Charges and Refutations
Malagasy officials have charged activists with vandalism. The president’s spokesperson, a named official, said in a online statement: “We lost our jobs. Our property was destroyed. Our houses were raided … We don’t want a coup d’état.”
The Malagasay activists disputed allegations of youth involvement in theft and said they had planned a community cleaning on 26 September. They added they were determined to remain “constitutional” and avoid a repeat of the 2009 coup.
Persistence and Faith
The activists said they were knowledgeable and sometimes fearful of the perils they were taking and several members had concealed themselves. But they were determined to continue until their demands for complete reform of Madagascar’s politics were met, they said.
“I understood that halting means no one else will step forward. If I refuse, who will take over? If not immediately, then when exactly?” said a activist who manages the movement’s online accounts. “This administration has subdued citizens for a decade and a half, and we are now rising. Therefore, we represent the ultimate opportunity for our peers.”
