Short Abstract

This panel aims to analyse the aftermath of social protests in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Madagascar (2024-2025). It focuses on the role of political and civil society actors, particularly GenZ activists, and on how they are shaping civic space and state institutions.

Long Abstract

In recent years, social protests have occurred in several African countries amid political crises, led predominantly by urban youth, the so-called “Gen Z”. During 2024 and 2025, protests spread across the Indian Ocean region, reaching Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Madagascar. Despite diverging immediate triggers in each country, the underlying grievances were similar: protesters demanded free and fair elections, government accountability in the face of corruption, as well as improved service delivery and living conditions.

Despite violent repression, the widespread use of digital platforms, and in some cases the absence of clear leadership structures, made it difficult for governments to effectively quell the protests. This put urgent pressure on political elites to respond. In Madagascar, the protests led to a change of government; in Kenya, the government withdrew a controversial finance bill; in Mozambique, political elites committed to an inclusive national dialogue; while in Tanzania, the ruling party retained control by force, apparently without making any concessions. Yet, in none of these countries, a more democratic future is certain at this point. The panel aims to analyse the aftermath of the protests in these countries to understand under what conditions, through which mechanisms, and with what consequences GenZ protest movements are reconfiguring state–society relations. In particular, we welcome contributions that pay special attention to the evolving role of political and civil society actors including but not limited to GenZ activists, as well as their impact on state institutions and legitimacy as well as civic space.

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