Madagascar Protesters Turn to Offline Messaging App Amid Civil Unrest

Civil unrest in Madagascar has reached a boiling point as protesters, frustrated by prolonged power cuts, have taken to the streets of Antananarivo. The demonstrations, organized under the banner 'Leo Délestage' ('Fed up with load shedding'), turned violent, resulting in looting, arson, and five fatalities. Authorities responded with rubber bullets and tear gas, imposing a curfew to restore order. President Andry Rajoelina dismissed his energy minister, conceding failure in addressing the crisis.

Amid the chaos, interest in the offline messaging app Bitchat surged, with Google Trends data showing searches spiking to peak levels. The app, which operates without internet connectivity, has become a critical tool for protesters to coordinate actions as traditional communication channels face disruption. This marks the third time in September that civil unrest has driven Malagasy citizens toward alternative communication platforms.