Gen Z Protest: After Nepal and Sri Lanka, youth protests in Madagascar demand the President's resignation

In Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, approximately 1,000 young protesters, led by "Gen-Z Madagascar," took to the streets demanding the resignation of President Andry Rajoelina. Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters as unrest escalated. These violent protests have become the country's biggest source of instability in years. The youth movement, sparked by water and electricity shortages, has completely transformed Madagascar's political landscape.

Protesters marched in the streets wearing masks and were confronted by police with armored vehicles. In the Anosy and Mahamasina districts, protesters blocked roads with stones and burning tires. Police restricted traffic in Democracy Square and the surrounding areas.

Night curfews remain in effect in several cities.

The protests initially began over water and power outages, but later broadened to include allegations of corruption and nepotism. Rajoelina dismissed his entire cabinet to quell the protests, but this failed to calm the anger of the youth, who rejected an offer of talks with the president on Wednesday. A night curfew has been imposed in the capital, Antananarivo, and other cities due to the protests.

Inspired by protests in Nepal and Sri Lanka

According to the United Nations, 22 people have been killed and dozens injured in these protests so far, a claim the government has denied. Protesters organized online and drew inspiration from recent protests in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

It is worth noting that Madagascar, a large island nation located near East Africa, has a population of approximately 31 million people. Long-standing public anger over poverty and the failure of government services has now erupted into widespread protests.