Inside Madagascar's Gen Z protest movement - Global Eye, BBC World Service

Key Concepts

• Gen-Z Anger and Frustration: A driving force behind recent protests in Madagascar and globally, fueled by issues like unemployment, economic mismanagement, and lack of basic services.
• Political Unrest: Characterized by protests, government crackdowns, and leadership changes, as seen in Madagascar and Bangladesh.
• Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): Techniques used to analyze publicly available information (videos, documents, eyewitness accounts) to reconstruct events, as demonstrated in the BBC Eye investigation in Bangladesh.
• Land Subsidence and Coastal Erosion: Environmental crises in Indonesia, exacerbated by groundwater extraction, rising sea levels, and industrial development, leading to villages sinking and land loss.
• Mangrove Restoration: A community-led initiative in Indonesia to combat coastal erosion and protect villages by planting mangroves, which act as natural barriers.
• Digital Solidarity: The use of technology and online platforms (social media, memes) to connect and mobilize youth movements across borders.

Madagascar: Gen-Z Unrest and Political Turmoil

Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, is facing a severe crisis despite its rich biodiversity and beauty. The nation, home to nearly 32 million people, is one of the world's poorest, with over a quarter of its population living below the poverty line and only a quarter having access to electricity, according to the International Monetary Fund. As one of the youngest nations, with over half its population under 25, Madagascar has experienced a cycle of coups, contested elections, and economic setbacks since gaining independence from France 65 years ago.

Recent protests were initially triggered by widespread power cuts and water shortages. However, these grievances quickly escalated into broader discontent with the country's leadership, focusing on unemployment and economic mismanagement. A key quote from a resident highlights the frustration: "We don't get a constant supply of electricity or water. If Malagasy children have to study in the dark, what will the future of this nation be? Where is the wealthy Madagascar that many countries envied?"

The protests turned violent around September 29th when security officers opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in at least 14 deaths and dozens of injuries. The government claimed the crackdown was necessary to prevent foreign sabotage, but human rights groups condemned the response as excessive and unlawful. The president, Andry Rajoelina, was ousted and impeached. A colonel from an elite military unit, Capsat, was named the new leader, stating, "We have seized power." This colonel, Colonel Randrianirina, has since been sworn in as president of a new military government and has committed to fresh elections within two years. This marks the second time in just over a month that youth-led protests have led to a government's downfall, reflecting a global wave of Gen-Z unrest.

Global Youth Movements and Digital Solidarity

The spirit of defiance seen in Madagascar is part of a broader trend of youth-led movements worldwide. In Nepal, anti-corruption protests led to the storming of parliament and the prime minister's resignation, with 70 people killed. These movements, ranging from calls for education reform in Morocco to demonstrations against crime in Peru, are connected by a "digital thread of solidarity." Technology has fostered a shared visual language through emojis, manga characters, and comic book heroes, which serve as rallying cries and "memes of resistance" that transcend borders.

Bangladesh: The 2024 Revolution and Police Brutality

One significant example of Gen-Z-driven change occurred in Bangladesh in July 2024, where anger over a controversial quota system for public sector jobs escalated into nationwide unrest. An estimated 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured during weeks of demonstrations. A BBC Eye investigation, using open-source techniques to analyze videos, documents, and eyewitness accounts, pieced together the events of a critical day, August 5th, 2024.

Key Events of August 5th, 2024, in Dhaka:

• Demonstrations: Protests had been ongoing for weeks across the capital, Dhaka.
• Jatrabari Incident: In the Jatrabari neighborhood, police reportedly fired indiscriminately, killing at least 52 people and injuring many others.
• Government Response: The government ordered internet services to be shut down, aiming to suppress the movement. Leaked recordings, verified by BBC Eye, suggest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued an order for security forces to use lethal force: "I've issued an open order now. Now they will use lethal weapons. Wherever they find [them] they will shoot."
• Protester March: On August 5th, protesters marched into Dhaka demanding Hasina's resignation.
• Miraz's Final Moments: Two friends, Sawon and Miraz, joined the march. Miraz, who believed change was necessary, was filming when a loud blast occurred. He continued filming as army soldiers withdrew from a police station, and seconds later, at 2:43 pm, police opened fire again. Miraz was killed, his final moments captured on his own camera.
• Police Station Breach: As chaos subsided, protesters broke into the police station, setting it on fire and killing at least six officers. The army was observed standing by during the shooting.
• Accountability: Police interviewed stated they were following orders, operating within a chain of command. Investigations pointed to senior officers, including the head of the police force in Dhaka, Habibur Rahman, and ultimately to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's directives.
• Aftermath: Sheikh Hasina is now in exile and facing trial for crimes against humanity, charges she denies. Her party also denies her responsibility for the killings. The trial is ongoing.

The sentiment among some survivors is one of hope for justice and a desire for such events never to be repeated. One individual stated, "We've regained independence and I no longer feel afraid. The fear I had is gone. I feel braver now."

Ukraine: Tracing a Childhood Home Through Satellite Imagery

BBC Monitoring's Russia editor, Vitaly Shevchenko, shares a personal story of discovering the fate of his childhood home in Verkhnya Krynytsya, Ukraine, using satellite images. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam and war-related damage have altered the landscape, with the Kakhovka reservoir (referred to as "the sea") and railway tracks disappearing. A new road leading to his house has appeared, raising questions about who is occupying it in the Russian-controlled, war-torn region. This story is available on the BBC News website and Ukrainecast.

Indonesia: Sinking Villages and Coastal Resilience

On Java's north coast, Indonesia, entire villages are disappearing due to land subsidence and rising sea levels, a climate crisis that experts warn could engulf the region by 2050. Java, Indonesia's most populous island, is experiencing severe land subsidence caused by decades of excessive groundwater extraction.

Key Issues and Impacts:

• Eretan Wetan: A once-quiet fishing village now a "ghost town" as neighborhoods vanish beneath the tide. Residents like Ningsih recall a time before the floods, noting the worsening situation over the years.
• Scale of the Problem: Over 30 million people live in areas at risk of submersion along Java's north coast.
• Contributing Factors: Excessive groundwater extraction, rising sea levels, and the replacement of natural defenses like mangroves with factories and industrial zones.
• Government Response: A massive 500km sea wall and giant pumps are being built, but critics question their sufficiency, especially with ongoing coastal development.
• Coastal Erosion in Kendal: Around 2019, Kendal experienced severe coastal erosion, linked to land-use changes that replaced mangroves with industrial zones and ports. Officials deny that industrial zones are the root cause, attributing sinking to natural processes.

Community-Led Solutions:

• Wasito's Initiative: In Kendal, a man named Wasito began planting mangroves to combat erosion. His efforts inspired local people to join, and since 2006, thousands of mangroves have been planted, creating a "living wall" to protect homes and livelihoods.
• Importance of Mangroves: Mangrove roots protect coasts from erosion and storms, and provide breeding grounds for marine life.
• Challenges: As more land is developed, remaining mangrove zones are disappearing, requiring special attention to prevent further damage.

The communities along Java's sinking shores are actively working to protect their homes amidst rising tides and the intensifying effects of climate change.