Young people demonstrate demanding role in shaping new policies of the government — Reuters ANTANANARIVO, Oct 19 (Reuters): When an elite army colonel joined Madagascar's Gen Z protests earlier this month, forcing the president to flee the country, youth-movement leader Olivia Rafetison was happy to have the protection of men with guns, after weeks of state repression.
"He said: 'we're for the people, we'll help you, we are by your side'. Malagasy were coming together for the same cause," she said, describing the protests against electricity and water shortages that morphed into an uprising against President Andry Rajeolina.
Days later, Colonel Michael Randrianirina said the army was in charge.
"It went from 'protecting the people' to taking power," Rafetison, 28, told Reuters in downtown Antananarivo. "I'm not saying I'm against it ... But I am a little conflicted."
Randrianirina was sworn in as president on Friday, just three days after taking control of the island nation in the wake of the demonstrations that forced out his predecessor.
He has said the military will rule alongside a civilian government for up to two years before organising new elections.
Rafetison, leader of Movement Gen Z Collective, a coalition of several of the protest groups, is not the only participant in the uprising to feel ambivalent about a man in uniform filling the power vacuum left by Rajeolina's hasty exit. Many wonder if their concerns will be heeded or, as in the past, ignored.
On the night of the coup, Randrianirina received Rafetison and other prominent Gen Z figures. "He said 'we're listening to you,'" she said, but the soldiers were all tired and soon ended the conversation, suggesting they talk more at a later date.
"I hope they follow up," she said. "Because this isn't the end of the struggle: we're really fighting for system change, not to swap one president for another."
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