Across Africa and beyond, a wave of youth-led uprisings is sending tremors through the continent’s political landscape, shaking entrenched regimes and exposing the deep-rooted frustrations of a new generation. In the past months, events in Madagascar have become a focal point for analysts and activists alike, as Gen Z protestors, galvanized by similar movements in Asia, succeeded in driving their president into exile and ushering in military rule. The reverberations of this "Nepal effect" are being felt as far afield as Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, and Uganda, raising urgent questions about the future of governance, stability, and democracy in Africa.
On October 17, 2025, Madagascar’s capital was rocked by escalating youth-led protests, culminating in the military seizing power and President Andry Rajoelina fleeing the city. According to CNN, the military commander, Col Michael Randrianirina, was sworn in as interim president that same day, marking a dramatic turn of events for the island nation. Rajoelina, a former DJ who himself rose to power in 2009 on the back of another youth-driven uprising, now finds himself ousted by the very forces that once propelled him into office.
What’s remarkable is the inspiration behind Madagascar’s upheaval. Swikani Ncube, a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, told CNN that “the perceived successes of the youth in Madagascar may serve as a reference point for those who were either losing steam or simply second-guessing their intentions to embark on sustained protests.” The so-called "Nepal effect"—a reference to the Gen Z movement that ousted Nepal’s prime minister in September 2025—has become a rallying cry for young Africans fed up with corruption, economic stagnation, and unresponsive governments. Bangladesh’s student-led protests in 2024, which ended the long rule of Sheikh Hasina, and Sri Lanka’s 2022 youth uprising, which toppled its regime, have only added fuel to the fire.
“Where these protests had died down, the perceived successes of the youth in Madagascar may serve as a reference point,” Ncube explained, suggesting that the continent could be on the cusp of a new era of activism. In fact, experts like Kingsley Moghalu, a former Nigerian presidential candidate and public policy expert, warn that “the failure of governance in Africa is the most important challenge facing the continent, and it’s very deep-rooted.” Moghalu told CNN, “Their decision to vent their frustration (on issues plaguing the continent) and take action, rather than bottle it up,” is a common thread uniting young protestors from Morocco to Mozambique.
Technology has proven to be a powerful tool in the hands of Gen Z. Social media platforms have enabled rapid mobilization, real-time coordination, and the amplification of grievances that might otherwise be ignored. As Moghalu put it, “The Gen Z are an impatient and assertive generation. And the rise of technology makes it easier for them to mobilize.”
The impact of these movements is not lost on Africa’s aging leadership. In Kenya, mass protests erupted in 2024 and 2025 over a contentious finance bill and a deepening cost-of-living crisis, leading to numerous fatalities. President William Ruto, facing mounting pressure to resign, responded with characteristic defiance. In July, he declared, “I want to tell those characters giving us lectures that they can change this administration using violence and unlawful means before 2027, let them try.” His words, reported by CNN, reflect the anxiety gripping many leaders across the continent.
Uganda presents another telling example. President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has ruled since 1986 and has faced repeated youth-led protests—often with a heavy hand. In 2023, demonstrations inspired by events in Kenya saw dozens of activists arrested. Museveni, who plans to run for a seventh term in 2026, has warned demonstrators that they are “playing with fire.” His main challenger, Bobi Wine, is a 43-year-old opposition leader who has faced multiple arrests by security forces, underscoring the risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo.
Morocco, too, has witnessed a surge in youth activism. The “GenZ 212” movement—named after the country’s international dialing code—has organized protests demanding reforms to public healthcare and education, criticizing the government’s focus on sports infrastructure. Recent demonstrations have led to deadly confrontations and reports of police violence, as highlighted by CNN.
The pattern is clear: Africa’s youth, who make up over half the continent’s population, are increasingly unwilling to accept the failures of their leaders. Unemployment, corruption, and a lack of opportunity have left many feeling disenfranchised. As Moghalu observed, “If these challenges persist, youth-led uprisings are likely to become a regular occurrence in Africa.”
Meanwhile, in Haiti, a different but equally urgent crisis is unfolding. On October 22, 2025, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Special Representative to Haiti, addressed the Security Council about the country’s ongoing gang violence and humanitarian catastrophe. According to the United Nations, over 1.4 million Haitians have been internally displaced as armed groups increasingly target farming communities on the outskirts of the capital and other regions. Massieu described the scale and impact of internal displacement as “unprecedented.”
The human rights situation in Haiti remains deeply concerning, with widespread abuses linked to gang attacks, violence involving self-defense groups, and even some security operations. “There is no doubt that the circumstances are dire, but the Haitian people have not given up,” Massieu told the Security Council, emphasizing the resilience and fortitude of the population.
Political transition is on the horizon, with a transfer of authority to elected officials expected by February 7, 2026. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) is providing technical and logistical support ahead of the elections, aiming to avoid a political vacuum. Massieu welcomed the Security Council’s recent backing for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a new initiative to restore national security. He noted, “The recent action by this Council was a signal of reassurance to the Haitian people that they are not alone – that the international community stands with them during this critical moment.”
Yet, the challenges remain daunting. Massieu is leading efforts to ensure “100 percent staff presence in the capital as a matter of urgency,” reflecting the dangerous and unpredictable environment international partners face in Haiti. The country is also grappling with a UN arms embargo, yet an estimated 500,000 illegal weapons are believed to be in circulation. Food insecurity affects 5.7 million people, and an unprecedented number of children are on the run, according to UNICEF and other agencies.
Back in Africa, the lessons of Madagascar’s Gen Z uprising are being closely watched by both activists and governments. Elliot Randriamandrato, a spokesperson for the movement in Madagascar, told AFP, “The past few weeks are a half-victory, the real struggle begins now.” He acknowledged that the military’s involvement was pivotal: “Just the military, it wouldn’t have been possible. Just us, it would’ve taken months, even though we were ready for that. The turning point came from the convergence of both.”
As the world witnesses these dramatic shifts, one thing is clear: the impatience and assertiveness of a new generation, armed with technology and a deep desire for change, are reshaping the political landscape from Port-au-Prince to Antananarivo. Whether this will lead to more accountable governance or simply new forms of authoritarianism remains to be seen, but the status quo is no longer safe from the restless energy of youth.