Spanish
After almost three weeks of intense demonstrations in the streets of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, groups of young people celebrated on Wednesday the success of the coup d'état by a powerful insurgent military unit that took power the day before in this island nation in southeastern Africa.
Today, in Plaza del 13 de Mayo, where the capital's city hall stands, the Generation Z collectives and the groups that promoted the movement celebrate in a festive atmosphere what they call "a victory for freedom", following the wake of a global movement that has led protests in various countries and that a few weeks ago caused the fall of the Government in Nepal.
Dozens of people gathered in the square and there is hardly any presence of law enforcement, except to regulate traffic, while in the emblematic Analakely avenue the shops have progressively reopened their doors and the effervescence of the protests unleashed on September 25th gives way to the daily bustle.
After an initial silence, the youth of the so-called Generation Z - drivers of the popular movement that led to the overthrow of President Andry Rajoelina - expressed their support for the rebel military unit, the powerful Corps of Personnel and Services Administration of the Army (CAPSAT), an elite unit that controls military logistics. "What happened was not a coup, but the awakening of a people," wrote a young woman identified as Artémis in a message on Facebook, a social network used by the group to spread their claims. "We, the members of 'Generation Z', refuse to give in to fear and swallow the lies of the State. It's what is called a revolution driven by the people," he added, The young people thanked CAPSAT for having stood up "in favor of the population" and asked the Army to maintain its commitment to protect the interests of the Malagasy. "We were civilians, members of civil society and military personnel who denounced the abuses of power. Today we want to thank the Army for standing up for the population and we ask them to keep their word," said Artémis. Generation Z youth believe the time has come to initiate a national dialogue and establish an inclusive National Transition Council that integrates civilians and military personnel. They also asked the international community not to break diplomatic relations with Madagascar, to recognize the transition process, and to send an observation mission to the country. The Army takes power
"I ask the young people, particularly Generation Z, as well as the unions that demonstrated, to resume their daily activities and re-establish dialogue to rebuild our country," declared the leader of the coup, Colonel Michael Randrianirina. Randrianirina, head of the powerful Land Army Personnel and Services Administration Corps (CAPSAT) - an elite unit that controls military logistics - announced on Tuesday the dissolution of the Constitution and the assumption of power from the Ambotsirohitra Palace, the seat of the Presidency. "Let's assume our responsibilities, let's take power," proclaimed the colonel in response to the serious political crisis triggered by the popular protests. The new military leader reported the creation of a council composed of the Army, the Gendarmerie, and the National Police, with possible participation from civilians, which will exercise the functions of the head of state for a maximum transition period of two years. Youth protests and political crisis
The country was going through a deep crisis since the end of September, when massive protests broke out, led by young people outraged by the constant power and water cuts. Soon, the demonstrations turned into an anti-government movement demanding the resignation of Rajoelina, accused of corruption, nepotism, and embezzlement of public funds, and who resisted leaving power despite the pressure in the streets. The coup culminated in the fall of the president, who on Monday confirmed that he had fled to a "safe place" to protect his life, without specifying his whereabouts, although he hinted that he was outside the country.
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Schools, which had suspended classes, have resumed teaching, and traffic jams have once again become part of the daily routine, a sign of a slow return to normalcy. Generation Z celebrates "a victory for the people"After an initial silence, the youth of the so-called Generation Z - drivers of the popular movement that led to the overthrow of President Andry Rajoelina - expressed their support for the rebel military unit, the powerful Corps of Personnel and Services Administration of the Army (CAPSAT), an elite unit that controls military logistics. "What happened was not a coup, but the awakening of a people," wrote a young woman identified as Artémis in a message on Facebook, a social network used by the group to spread their claims. "We, the members of 'Generation Z', refuse to give in to fear and swallow the lies of the State. It's what is called a revolution driven by the people," he added, The young people thanked CAPSAT for having stood up "in favor of the population" and asked the Army to maintain its commitment to protect the interests of the Malagasy. "We were civilians, members of civil society and military personnel who denounced the abuses of power. Today we want to thank the Army for standing up for the population and we ask them to keep their word," said Artémis. Generation Z youth believe the time has come to initiate a national dialogue and establish an inclusive National Transition Council that integrates civilians and military personnel. They also asked the international community not to break diplomatic relations with Madagascar, to recognize the transition process, and to send an observation mission to the country. The Army takes power
"I ask the young people, particularly Generation Z, as well as the unions that demonstrated, to resume their daily activities and re-establish dialogue to rebuild our country," declared the leader of the coup, Colonel Michael Randrianirina. Randrianirina, head of the powerful Land Army Personnel and Services Administration Corps (CAPSAT) - an elite unit that controls military logistics - announced on Tuesday the dissolution of the Constitution and the assumption of power from the Ambotsirohitra Palace, the seat of the Presidency. "Let's assume our responsibilities, let's take power," proclaimed the colonel in response to the serious political crisis triggered by the popular protests. The new military leader reported the creation of a council composed of the Army, the Gendarmerie, and the National Police, with possible participation from civilians, which will exercise the functions of the head of state for a maximum transition period of two years. Youth protests and political crisis
The country was going through a deep crisis since the end of September, when massive protests broke out, led by young people outraged by the constant power and water cuts. Soon, the demonstrations turned into an anti-government movement demanding the resignation of Rajoelina, accused of corruption, nepotism, and embezzlement of public funds, and who resisted leaving power despite the pressure in the streets. The coup culminated in the fall of the president, who on Monday confirmed that he had fled to a "safe place" to protect his life, without specifying his whereabouts, although he hinted that he was outside the country.
