Why did Gen Z protests force the president to fire his government

Thousands of people in Madagascar have taken to the streets in various parts of the country in the last week in the largest wave of protests witnessing the Indian Ocean on the island of more than 15 years.

What started as anger about the lack of basic needs quickly escalates into one of the most serious challenges Faced with President Andri Raoelina, who is in power, for the second time since 2018. On Monday, in response, he fired his government, but this did not put the protesters.

At least 22 people were killed and over 100 others were injured through the unrest, according to the UN, although the Malagasius government rejected these figures and described them as “rumors and misinformation”.

The pressure began to build after the arrest on September 19 of two leading urban politicians who had planned a peaceful demonstration in the capital Antananarivo because of chronic problems with power and water supply.

There were hours of daily interruptions of the services conducted by the state -owned utility company Jirama.

Many see their detention as an attempt to justify the disagreement legally, leading to public outrage, with the cause being perceived by civil society groups and the formation of an online movement led by young people known as Gen Z Mada.

Since then, the protests have spread beyond Antananarivo, gripping eight other cities across the island, with no signs of subsidiation.

Removing banners, protesters condemned the eclipses and accused the government of not guaranteeing fundamental rights.

Activists have also accused widespread corruption within the electricity company for electricity crisis.

Initially, Gen Z Mada coordinates what is happening through social media sites such as Facebook and Tiktok. A committee has been set up to organize additional demonstrations after a meeting between Gen Z Mada, civil society groups and local politicians.

Other groups joined after the protests began. Several unions, including the largest in the country, the solidarity of the unions in Malagasius, threw their weight behind the movement, led by the youth.

Civil society organizations have called for negotiations led by a church to “prevent Madagascar from sinking into chaos or civil war.”

Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko and former President Mark Ravalomanana have expressed their support for protests in a rare joint statement on Wednesday.

The two refused to join the Raoelina government, saying this move would be a “betrayal” of Malagasius people.

The demonstrators did not release a manifesto, but what began with anger over public services has become a broader demands for political change.

Many young people, facing uncertain and poorly paid jobs, called on the president’s resignation, accusing him of the problems they were facing.

On Wednesday, the demonstrators in the capital were spotted waving flags and banners with the words “Rajolina out.”

A spokesman for Gen Z Mada told the AFP news agency that they want the president to withdraw and “clean the National Assembly”.

They also want Rajolin to take responsibility for those who are reported to have been killed by security forces.

Some social media users have also called for the termination of the election committee and the best court in the country.

Security forces maintained a strong presence in Antananarivo and other major cities, with police using tear gas and a water cannon to disperse protesters.

A launch department was imposed in the capital after reports of violence and robbery, including the burning of the Ministry of Finance’s offices.

When Rajolina fired his government, he accused some of his ministers for failing to do their job properly.

The president called for peace and promised that the World Bank would finance efforts to deal with frequent power outages.

He also promised to support the business affected by robbery and called for dialogue with young people.

But his move failed to control the public anger, which was intensified by the repression against protesters.

Schools in the capital and nearby areas were closed last week, for fear of escalating violence.

Authorities maintain that gatherings without a formal authorization pose a risk to public order.

Madagascar is one of the most overwhelming countries in the world, with 75% of people living under the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

Only about one -third of the 30 million Madagascar people have access to electricity, according to the International Monetary Fund.

A demonstrator told AFP that “the living conditions of Malagasius people are deteriorating and worsen every day.”

Political scientist and human rights activist Ketakandriana Rafiton have told the AFP News Agency that demonstrations are at risk of dragging and intensifying if authorities rely on the power to suppress disagreement instead of prioritizing accountability.

She said that “the result risks political fragmentation, a stronger nationalist rhetoric against perceived external intervention and a possible economic failure.”

But when the commandants are imposed and the rejection of UN victims reports, the government may signal that it may double in repression rather than compromise.

Analysts say that control over state media and key institutions can allow Rajolin to outlive the immediate wave of disagreement.

Management experts say that the critical point of the tip would be whether the military refuses orders to break up to the protesters.

President Hunting spokesman Rauroromaro said on social media that “we do not want a coup because a coup destroyed a nation because a coup destroyed the future of our children.”

Madagascar has been shaken by numerous uprisings since winning independence in 1960, including the mass protests in 2009, which forced former President Ravalomanan to withdraw and saw Rajolin come to power for the first time.

Rajolin was voted back in 2018 and re -elected in 2023 in contested surveys boycotted by the opposition.