Youth protesters in Madagascar on Wednesday refused to participate in President Andry Rajoelina ’s proposed “national dialogue,” accusing his government of repression following weeks of demonstrations across the island nation.

Inspired by similar “Gen Z” movements in Kenya and Nepal, the protests that started on September 25 pose the biggest challenge to Rajoelina’s government since his re-election in 2023, giving voice to widespread discontent over rampant poverty and high-level corruption.

Rajoelina fired his cabinet last week in a bid to quell the unrest, appointing a new prime minister and announcing plans for a national dialogue that started on Wednesday afternoon. He said the talks would be attended by spiritual leaders, students, youth representatives, and others.

“I don’t wa

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