GEN Z GLOBAL. THE GRAND FLEET.

Madagascar on the Brink: When Basic Needs Fuel a RevolutionAntananarivo, Madagascar is shaking. For too long, our generation has watched silently as essential services crumble, but no more. Daily life for countless Malagasy citizens means enduring up to 12 hours of electricity cuts. Imagine trying to learn, work, or even just live when the lights go out for half the day. This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a systemic failure, and Gen Z is not having it. What started as peaceful demonstrations against crippling electricity and water shortages has escalated, tragically claiming at least seven lives.Last Thursday, tens of thousands of students and young workers bravely defied a protest ban, taking to the streets of Antananarivo. Their demands were simple: restore stability, ensure access to basic services, and respect their right to a future. But instead of dialogue, they met resistance. Police forces responded with rubber bullets and tear gas, attempting to quell a movement born from sheer desperation. "We have about 12 hours of power cuts a day. You hear that noise? Students are being attacked," recounts Lala Herizo, a student and protester, highlighting the brutal reality and the month-long disruption to their education.Chaos, Courage, and the Call for AccountabilityThe situation took a dark turn with widespread pillaging and vandalism across Antananarivo, where cars were burned, a cable car vandalized, and dozens of shops looted. Imagine the despair of Sitraka, a restaurant employee, who arrived to find thieves still ransacking her workplace. "They had knives and threatened us... They told us they were poor, that they had nothing and were forced to steal." Yet, amidst the chaos, the spirit of solidarity shines through. On Friday, many protesters returned to the streets, not to protest, but to help clean up the damage. Tolotra, another Gen Z protester, articulated a crucial point: "I support peaceful protests... Many demonstrators accuse security forces of repressing the population instead of protecting them from looters." This sentiment underscores a critical failure of governance: when the protectors become perceived as part of the problem, trust erodes completely.In a bid to calm the unrest, President Andry Rajoelina fired the Minister of Energy, but the movement, aptly named "Gen Z," is far from satisfied. They've called for another massive march this Saturday, from the University of Antananarivo to Ambohijatovo, pushing forward despite the president's condemnation of "pillaging and destabilization." This isn't about mere destruction; it's about a generation demanding their fundamental rights, refusing to be silenced, and cleaning up the mess left by a system that has failed them. We stand with our peers in Madagascar, amplifying their voices and their relentless pursuit of justice.

Imagine a life where basic necessities like clean water and electricity are luxuries, not rights. Where 12-hour power cuts are a daily reality, crippling your ability to study, work, or even just live. This isn't some dystopian novel; it's the harsh truth for millions in Madagascar, a nation rich in natural beauty but plagued by profound poverty and systemic neglect. And when citizens bravely took to the streets to demand their fundamental rights, the state responded with brutal force. This is not just Madagascar's problem; it’s a global wake-up call, and Gen Z, we need to listen.The Spark: A City Erupts Under RepressionOn Thursday, September 25, Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, became a flashpoint. Weeks of incessant power and water cuts pushed residents past their breaking point, leading them to organize a protest. But before they could even gather, the rally wasbanned by the prefect, citing "risk of public disorder." Did that stop them? Absolutely not. Defying the ban, protesters attempted to converge, only to be met by a heavily deployed security apparatus. Eyewitnesses reported tear gas canisters exploding and rubber bullets flying. The capital echoed with the sounds of sirens and detonations as police and gendarmerie units, including the notorious masked GSIS unit in their white 4x4s, launched their assault.Voices of Resistance: Demanding Dignity, Not DisorderDespite the repression, the spirit of the Malagasy people shone through on their banners. Messages like "Laissez-nous faire entendre nos droits" (Let us make our rights heard), "Stop à une vie faite de bidons jaunes et de noirceur" (Stop a life of yellow jerrycans and darkness), and "nous ne voulons pas de troubles, nous voulons juste nos droits" (We don't want trouble, we just want our rights) painted a clear picture. Aina, a 20-year-old student, bravely shared her experience amidst the chaos, holding a sign that read "leo be" (We’re fed up!), lamenting, "Since 10 AM, we’ve been screaming for our rights, and they shoot at us with rubber bullets." This isn't about chaos; it's about a generation demanding accountability and basic human dignity.Beyond the Streets: Political Unrest and Systemic FailureThe protests escalated beyond peaceful demonstration, with reports of demonstrators setting fire to the home of Senator Lalatiana Rakontondrazafy and later ransacking a deputy's residence. While we advocate for non-violent resistance, these acts underscore the depth of public frustration against a system perceived as unresponsive and corrupt. President Andry Rajoelina, 51, was re-elected in late 2023 in a vote largely boycotted by the opposition, with less than half of registered voters participating. He first seized power in 2009. This political backdrop, coupled with the grim reality that nearly 75% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2022 (World Bank data), highlights a catastrophic failure of governance.Our Call to Action: Solidarity with MadagascarThis isn't just a local issue; it's a stark reminder of global inequalities and the courage of those who stand up to power. The citizens of Madagascar are fighting for fundamental human rights – for access to clean water and reliable electricity. As Gen Z activists, we have a responsibility to amplify their voices, demand international attention, and support movements working towards justice and equitable access for all. Let’s stand in solidarity with Madagascar and ensure their fight for basic dignity is heard around the world.