September saw massive protests sweep nations across the world, from Asia to Africa to South America. For the most part, the demonstrators spoke out against government corruption, inequality and economic hardship.
Often, the protests were led by members of Gen-Z, the demographic born between 1997 and 2012. They made frequent use of de-centralised organising systems and the power of social media, and drew inspiration from each other across the globe.
This article provides an update on the outcomes of those uprisings, weeks on from their initial flashpoints.
Inequality protests in Nepal
Nepal’s gen-Z protests began on 8 September after reaching a tipping point due to a ban of 26 popular social media sites. Critics called this out as an attempt to silence criticism of government corruption on the platforms. In turn, this dovetailed with widespread unrest at rampant inequality and the loss of freedom of speech.
PM Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned on 9 September 2025. However, the uprising came at a huge price in terms of human lives and Nepal’s infrastucture. Piyush Adhikari reported for Al Jazeera:
In both human and economic terms, it was among the most destructive 48 hours in Nepal’s history. At least 74 people were killed and about 2,113 injured in the clashes. All three pillars of democracy – the parliament building, the Supreme Court and the Singha Durbar – were torched. The violence was not confined to the capital; at least 300 local government offices across the country were damaged.
Even the fourth pillar of democracy, the media, came under attack, with the Kantipur Media House, Nepal’s largest private outlet, set ablaze. The economic damage has been estimated at up to three trillion Nepalese rupees (about $21bn), with preliminary government figures putting public infrastructure losses near one trillion, nearly half of Nepal’s annual gross domestic product.
The interim government has announced relief and austerity packages in an attempt to counter the massive financial loss. Businesses affected by looting and arson will receive a 50% exemption on customs and excise duties related to rebuilding. There’s also a provision for a Payroll Protection Scheme to protect the jobs of workers in affected sectors.
However, the government also plans to scrap almost all small-scale projects at the provincial level and below, and won’t fund new projects in the coming year.
On 7 October, protest leaders filed a criminal case against ex-PM Sharma Oli and home minister Ramesh Lekhak. They’re demanding criminal accountability for the demonstrators murdered by indiscriminate police violence during the uprising.
Ecuador
Protests erupted in Ecuador on 12 September after the government announced that it would scrap a long-standing subsidy on diesel fuel. President Noboa declared a state of emergency across a large swathe of the country.
Weeks of escalating protests followed, including strikes, marches and blocked roads. Ecuador’s armed forces reportedly killed one demonstrator during a rally. Protesters also abducted 16 soldiers, although they were later released uninjured.
Then, on 7 October, Noboa’s motorcade was attacked by crowds of people as he traveled to inaugurate a water treatment plant. Environment minister Inés Manzano said:
About 500 people showed up and were throwing stones at him, and there are obviously bullet marks on the president’s car as well.
However, officials have stated that they’re still trying to determine whether any of the marks on president’s armoured car are actually bullet holes. Footage released by the government itself merely shows crowds along the road picking up and throwing bricks and stones as the motorcade passed them.
Nevertheless, defense minister Gian Carlo Loffredo called the event:
a clear assassination attempt and an act of terrorism.
President Noboa was completely unharmed, and his motorcade was able to drive away from the scene. Five people were reportedly arrested in the attack. They stand to be charged with terrorism, and could face up to 30 years in jail.
Peru
In Peru, weeks of youth-fronted protests against government corruption came to a head with a new wave of protests starting 20 September. They were protesting against government corruption, including a series of scandals involving the deeply unpopular president Dina Boluarte. Transport workers also joined the youth marches, raging against a government that they felt wasn’t doing enough to tackle extortion.
The protests have continued since the 20th, with the latest taking place on Saturday, October 4. Young people and workers – including the General Confederation of Workers of Peru – filled the streets of downtown Lima for their demonstration. They marched to the National Congress, in spite of brutalisation by police armed with batons and tear gas.
Journalist Ricardo Rodriguez observed that the protests have now grown beyond their original individual critiques. Instead, they’ve become a generalised outcry against a broken system:
It’s not just about bullets, tear gas, or arrests. What those in power fear – and are already beginning to feel – is that these young people are not just taking to the streets: they know, they understand, they articulate. They organize in a decentralized manner; they mobilize without waiting for permission; they use social media not as a showcase but as a tool for coordination; they demand not crumbs, but real change.
On top of this, on October 6 and 7, transport workers from dozens of companies staged further anti-government actions. Drivers reportedly used 50 buses to block streets across Lima, causing massive disruption. However, for her part, president Boluarte continues to insist that she will not stand down until the next general election in 2026:
If those small-time leaders believe that with riots, violence, hatred, and the desire to impose an anarchic world, they are going to change the history of Peru … We are seeing other countries that have done the same and have failed governments.
Madagascar
Beginning on 25 September, Madagascar witnessed massive gen-Z-led protests against repeated water and power outages. By 29 September, president Rajoelina had announced that he would dissolve his government.
However, on 9 September, Rajoelina asked for another year in power. He swore that if he couldn’t fix Madagascar’s issues, he’d step down. His plans include adding 265 megawatts to the national grid to combat power outages.
In a town-hall style meeting of his supporters at the palace, the president said:
I don’t want flattery. I want to hear the truth. It’s the people who kept telling me that everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation.
Gen Z Mada, one of the groups which organised the protests, rejected an invitation to the meeting. Instead, they wrote on Facebook:
We refuse the president’s invitation to talks. We will not engage in dialogue with a regime that represses, assaults, and humiliates its youth in the streets.
Now, Mada is calling for new protests, beginning today, and a nationwide strike if Rajoelina continues in his refusal to step aside.
Morocco
At the end of September, Gen-Z led one of the largest anti-government protests ever seen in Morocco. They criticised the under-funding of healthcare and education whilst huge amounts of money were being spent on preparations for the FIFA 2030 World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. To date, the protests show little sign of slowing down.
Protest organisers GenZ 212 presented an open letter to King Mohammed VI on Friday 3 October. They characterised themselves as “the youth of Morocco carrying the message of a nation”, backed by dozens of leading voices from public institutions. Their demands include:
- The dismissal of the current government, and the dissolution of any parties who were complicit in corruption networks.
- Impartial trials for the people implicated in the misuse of public money.
- Protections for free speech, equality and protest.
- The release of prisoners associated with the current protests.
- A public accountability hearing chaired by the king, airing evidence of government corruption to the whole country.
Earlier this week, GenZ 212 also called for a boycott of businesses owned by Morocco’s billionaire prime minister. PM Aziz Akhannouch has stakes in ventures as diverse as distribution, tourism, media, real estate and energy. Genz 212 said:
These are some of Akhannouch’s companies and investments. Boycott them and let’s see the results.
King Mohammed VI is set to make a speech tomorrow, October 10, for the opening of a new session of parliament. Many of the demonstrators are waiting with baited breath to hear whether he will address their demands and the recent waves of protests.
Featured image via YouTube screenshot/WION
This post was originally published on Canary.