By Tim Cocks

ANTANANARIVO (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.”

Rand

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