Then Peru.
And now, Madagascar.
For almost a month now, protests have consumed nation after nation, as Gen Z clamors for change. After hitting both Asia and South America, it seems as if it is now Africa’s turn to experience the transformative – and potentially destructive – impacts of these roars for reform.
The protests started almost three weeks ago, as frustration mounted over incessant water cuts and power outages, the latter of which, according to AP News, “often leave homes and businesses without electricity for over 12 hours.”
On Sept. 19, two city council members from the nation’s capital of Antananarivo were arrested, city council members who incidentally were planning a peaceful protest over the aforementioned nonstop outages. The arrest proved to be just the spark to set off a powder keg of tension, as public perception, according to the BBC, grew to view the arrests as a means to “silence legitimate dissent,” ultimately leading to the rise of Gen Z Mada, an online movement led by Gen Z.
According to the Gen Z Mada – or Gen Z Madagascar – website, the movement’s goals (translated into English using Google Translate) are to “make [their] voices heard at the table of power on the opposition side…put an end to 16 years of inaction… [and] demand transparency, accountability, and deep reforms.” Specific demands include the:
- “Immediate resignation of [Madagascar p]resident Andry Nirina Rajoelina and his Government[,]
- Dismantling of the hierarchy of the following corrupt institutions: the Senate, the CENI and the HCC[, and]
- Bring[ing] to justice [of] the businessman close to the president for the acts with which he is accused by the Nation.”
The symbol of the protests? Black flags with the skull logo from One Piece – taken straight from their Nepalese counterparts with a twist: the skull is adorned with a traditional Malagasy hat.
But even after almost three weeks of protests, the goals of Gen Z Mada seem far from reach.
While Rajoelina fired his entire government on Sept. 29, protesters remained dissatisfied, reiterating calls for him to resign over his failure to provide access to basic resources, such as electricity and water.
Monday’s events proved to be an even greater cause for concern.
On Oct. 6, Rajoelina appointed military general Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo as prime minister, citing the need for an individual “capable of restoring order and the people’s trust,” according to the BBC. Gen Z Mada has since rejected the appointment and issued a 48 hour ultimatum for Rajoelina’s resignation, an ultimatum that will presumably expire on Wednesday.
The events in Madagascar – and the events in Peru and Nepal – over these past few weeks represent a growing trend of apathetic governments… and young people who refuse to sit back and take it. As these protests unfold to varying degrees of success, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the world is teetering on a precipice, risking everything – unchecked violence, civil war, utter chaos and destruction – for the promise of a better future, one filled with equal representation and equitable access.
And as the fight against corrupt governments and impassive politicians rages across the globe, it’s imperative that we don’t allow these movements to fade into silence.
In the words of activist Malala Yousafzai, we must “raise up [our] voices – not [to]…but so that those without a voice can be heard… [for] we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”
