Madagascar protesters reject president's offer of talks

Youth protesters in Madagascar on Wednesday rejected an offer to join President Andry Rajoelina's "national dialogue" with various groups, accusing his government of repression after weeks of demonstrations in the African island nation. Inspired by similar "Gen Z" movements in Kenya and Nepal, the protests that started on September 25 pose the biggest challenge to Rajoelina's government since his re-election in 2023, giving voice to widespread discontent over rampant poverty and high-level corruption. Rajoelina fired his cabinet last week in a bid to quell the unrest, appointing a new prime minister and announcing plans for a national dialogue due to commence on Wednesday afternoon. He said the talks would be attended by spiritual leaders, students, youth representatives, and others. But...