The BRICS TimesYouth-led protests have gripped the island nation for nearly three weeks. The opposition claims the President has now fled the country. A scheduled presidential address on Monday evening was postponed after soldiers attacked the state broadcaster.
Gen-Z Uprising in Madagascar
The island nation of Madagascar is now seeing intense Gen-Z protests. It is located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. This follows earlier unrest in Nepal. A specialized military unit has mounted a challenge against the government. This Madagascar crisis is widely seen as a potential coup attempt. President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled the country thereafter. This dramatic development follows three weeks of youth-led demonstrations. These protests were self-titled ‘Gen Z Madagascar’.
Poverty and Economic Decline
Madagascar’s average age is below 20 years. About three-quarters of its nearly 30 million people live below the poverty line. The nation is struggling significantly. The World Bank notes a 45 percent drop in the country’s GDP per capita. This decline occurred between its independence in 1960 and 2020. This economic hardship fuels public discontent and the current Madagascar crisis.
President’s Reported Departure
The President’s office announced a national address for Monday evening. However, this was shelved when soldiers assaulted the state broadcaster. Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko made a bold claim. He stated Rajoelina fled the nation on a French military plane on Sunday. The President’s office has not confirmed his current whereabouts.
Military Assumes Control
CAPSAT, a special military unit, now claims to control all armed forces. This unit helped Rajoelina seize power back in 2009. Colonel Michael Randrianirina is the CAPSAT commander. He confirmed one soldier died during the conflict. Yet, he denied any intention of a coup. He declared, “The army responded to the voice of the people.”
The Role of Youth Protests
The protests started on September 25 over shortages of water and electricity. This Gen-Z movement quickly expanded into nationwide demonstrations. The focus shifted to corruption and inequality. The United Nations reported at least 22 fatalities so far. However, the government disputes this casualty count.
International Reaction
France, Madagascar’s former colonial power, declined comment on the President’s reported evacuation. The US Embassy advised its citizens to stay indoors due to the unstable situation. The African Union called for peace from both the military and civilians. They urged everyone to avoid all forms of violence in this Madagascar crisis.
