Madagascar's Gen Z Protests New Regime Amid Russian Ties and Arrests

The spirit of change that swept through Madagascar last autumn, driven by the powerful protests of Generation Z, is once again igniting on the streets. However, this time, the focus of their anger is directed at the very regime they helped bring to power. As reported by SME, the new president, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, and his choice of officials, perceived as remnants of the old corrupt elite, have left the youth deeply disillusioned. The promised economic reforms are nowhere in sight, and a growing unease surrounds the new administration's increasingly close relationship with Russia.

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The Generation Z that was responsible for the fall of the regime in Madagascar last fall is protesting again. They are not happy with how the new president, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, came to power and are disappointed with his choice of government officials, whom they consider part of the old corrupt elite.

This burgeoning alliance with Moscow is a particularly sensitive point for many young Malagasy. The influx of Russian military hardware – trucks, helicopters, and tanks – is seen not just as aid, but as a sign of a new geopolitical alignment that could compromise Madagascar's sovereignty. President Randrianirina's decision to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin on his first foreign trip, bypassing traditional partners like France, underscores this shift. For Gen Z, who fought for a more independent and prosperous future, this embrace of a foreign power, especially one with a history of assertive foreign policy, is deeply concerning.

The recent arrests of activists demanding election timelines have only amplified these fears. "This is a pattern we have seen before... this regime failed the test," stated Ketakandriana Rafitoson of Transparency International Madagascar. The crackdown suggests that the new leadership may be more interested in consolidating power than in upholding the democratic aspirations that fueled the initial uprising. The hope for a break from the past seems to be fading, replaced by anxieties about a new form of control, potentially influenced by external forces.

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It is a pattern that we have seen already under the previous administration and that many hoped to break during the transformation. [Last] Friday, the protests were a test for this regime, and it failed.

From a Malagasy perspective, this situation is particularly complex. While Western media might focus on the geopolitical implications of Russia's growing influence, for us, it's about the immediate future of our nation. Will the promised reforms materialize? Will our leaders prioritize the needs of the people over foreign entanglements? The legacy of colonialism still looms large, and the fear of being dominated by another foreign power, whether France or Russia, is a palpable concern. Generation Z's continued activism is a testament to their desire for genuine self-determination, and their vigilance against any form of undue influence, foreign or domestic, is crucial for Madagascar's path forward.

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We are very concerned about the risk of the state being taken over by foreign countries again.