Young Voices Rise in Africa: Unrest Spurs Change
Young people across Africa are making their voices heard, sparking powerful changes in various nations. This generation, known as Generation Z - individuals aged 28 and below - are commanding attention through protests due to dissatisfaction with years of poor governance. From islands in the Indian Ocean to the expanses of the Sahara, their call for change is resonating.
A Wind of Change in Madagascar
In Madagascar, an island off the eastern coast of Africa, less than a week of demonstrations over the lack of basic utilities like water and electricity led President Andry Rajoelina to dissolve his government. This came after he acknowledged the people’s outcry and their suffering on national television. However, his actions have not quelled the protests, with the demonstrators now demanding his resignation as well.
Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student in the capital city of Antananarivo, has been actively participating in the protests. According to him, the government's response to the peaceful protests has only bolstered the determination of the youth. These young activists faced severe repression from security forces for no valid reason. This repression came in the form of tear gas and gunshots, leading to several fatalities.
The government has yet to release official death toll numbers. But international entities report that the security forces' excessive response led to at least 22 deaths. This heavy-handed approach has only strengthened the resolve of the protestors, who feel that corruption and injustice are rampant, and public services are falling apart.
A Global Wave of Youth Protests
The protests in Madagascar are part of a larger global phenomenon of youth-led demonstrations, organized mainly through social media platforms. The protestors have adopted a cartoon skull wearing a straw hat as their symbol, inspired by the Japanese anime series "One Piece," which tells the tale of pirates fighting an oppressive government. This symbol has also resonated with Gen Z protestors in Asia, who also used it in their successful demonstrations against their government.
Youth-led protests have erupted worldwide, from Asia to Europe, over issues such as corruption and perceived government failures. In Africa, Madagascar is not an isolated case. In Kenya, on Africa's east coast, massive Gen Z protests have been ongoing since last year, sparked by an unpopular finance bill. The protests even led to a partial burning of the parliament building in Nairobi, resulting in several deaths.
Change Across the Continent
Protests have also been surfacing in West Africa. In Togo, thousands gathered to demonstrate against the president's alleged attempt to alter the constitution to remain in power indefinitely. North Africa has also seen its share of unrest, with young people in more than ten cities in Morocco holding significant anti-government rallies. The protestors demand health and education reforms and criticize the government's expenditure on stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
These young Moroccan protestors are utilizing social media platforms like TikTok and messaging apps to organize their protests. Their grievances revolve around worsening socio-economic conditions, increased cost of living, government failures, and political repression. With the majority of Africa's population being under 35 years old, millions are unemployed and discontented with the current state of affairs.
These demonstrations are a wake-up call for governments failing to provide basic public services, such as water and electricity, and failing to meet job demands for the millions of young people entering the labor market each year. This generation's ability to leverage technology and communication tools in a way that previous generations could not have is making these protests more effective. The message is clear: the youth of Africa are demanding change, and they will not be silenced.