What in the World Our recap on the Madagascar protests
Oct 20, 2025
In this engaging discussion, BBC journalist Sammy Awami shares firsthand insights from Madagascar amid recent protests. He highlights how water shortages and power cuts fueled youth mobilization. Sammy details the innovative ways young people organized, using social media to coordinate their efforts. He also addresses the violence during protests and the new president's promise for reform. Voices from the ground, like protester Virgilus, express hopes for change, making it clear that the youth are eager for leaders who listen and provide essential services.
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Local Service Failures Spark National Uprising
- Protests began over water shortages and frequent power cuts before widening into broader grievances about inequality and disconnected political elites.
- The unrest spread from Antananarivo to eight other major cities as young people turned frustration into nationwide mobilization.
Universities Became Safe Organizing Hubs
- University campuses served as organizing hubs with informal protections against security forces, enabling students to plan and protest.
- Students complained of dirty dorms, absent professors, and lack of equipment which fuelled campus involvement.
A Protester's Daily Struggle
- Virgilus described waking at 2am to fetch water and studying without electricity or computers.
- He framed the protests as a fight for basic rights like water, electricity, and education.