Gen Z Protests Reshape Political Power Across Africa

Photo via NPR

KAVYA GULATI: In a sweeping generational uprising, under-28 Africans—often described as “Gen Z”—have taken to the streets in multiple countries, signaling a rapidly emerging challenge for governing elites and the legitimacy of existing democratic institutions. The youth-led protests, particularly in Madagascar and Morocco, reveal not just frustration over public services but a deeper crisis of governance and trust.

In Madagascar, the movement ignited after weeks of water and electricity outages in the capital, Antananarivo, became intolerable. Protesters, many young and politically unaffiliated, rallied peacefully at first, “carrying flowers, placards, singing,” as one 21-year-old medical student put it, but security forces responded with tear gas and, soon after, live rounds. 

According to the United Nations, at least 22 people have died, and more than 100 have been wounded. Facing mounting pressure, President Andry Rajoelina announced the dissolution of his government on live television. But for many in the protests, this step was insufficient. They are now demanding deep systemic changes: not only new leadership, but a full political reset that tackles corruption by reforming the electoral system and holding elite networks accountable.

The movement’s symbolism has been striking. Young Malagasy have appropriated the iconic pirate skull-and-crossbones flag from the manga One Piece, but transformed it—substituting the traditional straw hat with a satroka, a local hat—as a declaration of cultural identity and resistance. Their organizing is decentralized and digitally coordinated, with protestors leaning heavily on platforms like Discord and TikTok, rejecting the traditional party structures they believe have long bypassed their generation.

The pressure peaked when an elite military unit, CAPSAT, publicly defected to the protestors. By mid-October, the military declared a two-year transitional government, suspended the constitution and said it would hold a referendum to adopt a new charter. While Gen Z activists saw some vindication, many are anxious: a takeover by the military risks replacing one form of elite rule with another.

In Morocco, the Gen Z uprising has been organised under the name GenZ 212—a reference to the country’s international dialing code. It has spread rapidly across cities, from Rabat and Casablanca to Agadir, with their main grievances rooted in youth unemployment and the decision to invest heavily in stadiums instead of basic services.

Protesters in Morocco have called not just for better health services and education, but for the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, whom they accuse of aiding elites at the expense of ordinary citizens. State authorities have responded with a sweeping security crackdown: more than 2,400 people have been charged, facing accusations ranging from incitement to armed rebellion. Many of those arrested are very young, and activists argue that the government’s response seeks to silence dissent rather than engage.

For many of these protesters, the moment is existential. They are not merely demanding reform, but staking a claim to the very future of their nations. As one young Malagasy said, “We are demanding the complete overhaul of our entire system … as young people, we represent the future of our nation.”

Kavya Gulati is a staff writer for On The Record from London, U.K., and a freshman in the SFS studying IPOL.