Across continents and cultures, a new force is shaking the world’s political foundations: Generation Z. From the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the city squares of Lima and Antananarivo, young people are rising up in protest, demanding change from governments they see as corrupt, unresponsive, or simply out of touch. The past months have seen this generational energy erupt into coordinated, sometimes leaderless movements, with a surprising pop culture twist tying them together.
In Nepal, the movement’s impact has been nothing short of historic. According to Heads | Nepal, the country’s capital has witnessed repeated demonstrations since early September 2025. On September 8, anti-corruption protesters gathered in Kathmandu, and by September 21, crowds were still massed outside the Central Administration office, undeterred by the government’s attempts to restore order. The protests, driven largely by young people identifying as Generation Z, culminated in the resignation of the prime minister in September—a moment that sent shockwaves through Nepal’s political establishment.
But Nepal is hardly alone. As reported by Crossroads Today, similar scenes have played out from the Andes to the Himalayas. Earlier this month, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina was forced out of power and out of the country following a military mutiny. The trigger? Weeks of demonstrations led by “Gen Z Madagascar,” a loosely organized group of young people fed up with regular water and electricity cuts, government neglect, and what they saw as a ruling class stubbornly clinging to power. On October 12, soldiers were welcomed at a ceremony in Antananarivo honoring demonstrators killed during the recent unrest. By October 15, Madagascar’s coup leader had declared himself president, a dramatic turn that underscored the potency of youth-led protest.
These movements, while sparked by local grievances—whether it’s a pension law in Peru, lawmakers’ perks in Indonesia, or the dire need for better public services in Morocco—are united by deeper, global frustrations. Widening inequality, economic uncertainty, endemic corruption, and the nepotism of leaders have become rallying cries. What’s striking is the consistency of the demographic at the heart of these protests: young people born roughly between 1996 and 2010, the first generation to grow up entirely in the internet age.
“What connects these youth-led protests is a shared sense that traditional political systems aren’t responsive to their generation’s concerns, whether that’s corruption, climate change, or economic inequality. Protest then becomes the logical outlet when institutional channels feel blocked,” said Sam Nadel, director of Social Change Lab, a U.K.-based nonprofit that researches protests and social movements, as quoted by Crossroads Today.
And it’s not just the issues that unite these movements—it’s their tactics. Digital platforms, from encrypted messaging apps to viral TikTok videos, have become essential tools for organization and mobilization. “Digital platforms are powerful tools for information sharing and building connections, but the most effective movements often combine digital mobilization with traditional in-person organizing, as we’ve seen in these recent protests,” Nadel explained. Indeed, the speed and scale at which these protests have spread owe much to the internet, but their staying power comes from boots on the ground and a willingness to confront power directly.
Perhaps the most surprising common thread, though, is a flag—a black banner emblazoned with a grinning skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat. Fans of Japanese anime will recognize it instantly as the symbol from “One Piece,” a cult manga and anime series about a ragtag crew of pirates battling corrupt governments. In Nepal, protesters hung the flag on the gates of Singha Durbar, the seat of the government, and on ministries—some of which were torched during the unrest. The flag has been sighted waving above crowds in Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco, Madagascar, and Peru, where 27-year-old electrician David Tafur stood with it in Lima’s San Martín Square, now the site of weekly demonstrations.
“We’re fighting the same battle — against corrupt officials who, in our case, are also killers,” Tafur told Crossroads Today, referencing the more than 50 civilians killed during protests against President Dina Boluarte’s government in Peru, which held onto power despite months of unrest and allegations of bribery and deadly crackdowns. Boluarte was recently replaced by interim President José Jerí, but for protesters like Tafur, that’s not enough. “The president is an ally of Congress and has to go,” he said, voicing the deep distrust many young people feel toward established institutions.
In Morocco, the leaderless group Gen Z 212—named after the country’s dialing code—took to the streets in Rabat on October 9, demanding better public services, more investment in health and education, and an end to corruption. Their protests, like those in Nepal and Madagascar, have been met with a mixture of official resistance and, at times, brutal repression.
Indonesia, too, has seen deadly protests erupt over the cost of living and lawmakers’ perks, forcing the president to replace key economic and security ministers. The pattern repeats: a spark—sometimes small—ignites a blaze of pent-up frustration. In each case, the ruling elite has been slow to respond, often underestimating the resolve and resourcefulness of their youngest citizens.
Back in Nepal, the emergence of Sudan Gurung, a 36-year-old NGO founder, as a new political face has caused its own stir. According to Heads | Nepal, Gurung is seen by many as a champion of the youth movement, but some members of Generation Z see him as a thorn in their side, perhaps too old or too much a product of the old system to truly represent their interests. Still, his rise is emblematic of the shifting political landscape, where traditional leaders are being challenged—and sometimes replaced—by new faces drawn from the protest movements themselves.
All of this points to a generational reckoning that’s still unfolding. While some governments have responded with concessions or changes in leadership, others have doubled down on repression. What’s clear is that Generation Z, armed with smartphones, social media savvy, and a sense of global solidarity, is unlikely to be silenced. Their demands—for accountability, equity, and a seat at the table—are echoing ever louder, from the Andes to the Himalayas and far beyond.
The world is watching as these young rebels, united by a pirate flag and a shared sense of injustice, chart a new course for their countries—and perhaps, in time, for global politics as a whole.