Friday, October 3, 2025-From Madagascar to Morocco, a wave of youth-led demonstrations is reshaping the political and social landscape of Africa. Generation Z, armed with smartphones, digital networks, and an unshakable sense of urgency, has taken to the streets to demand change on issues ranging from unemployment and corruption to climate action and political freedom.
Unlike previous movements, these protests are coordinated, fast-moving, and often leaderless, making them harder for governments to suppress.
The public response has been intense. Supporters see Gen Z as the continent’s most fearless voice, unafraid to challenge entrenched systems of power.
Governments, however, have reacted with a mix of concessions and crackdowns deploying security forces, restricting internet access, and in some cases, arresting activists. International observers are paying close attention, framing the protests as part of a larger global trend of young people refusing to remain silent in the face of inequality.
The ripple effects could be enormous. If these movements gain momentum, Africa may enter a period of rapid political transformation driven by its youngest citizens, who make up the majority of the population.
But if governments double down on repression, the protests could spiral into deeper instability. Either way, Gen Z’s defiance is rewriting the rules of civic engagement across the continent.
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