Fatshimetrie
At the heart of COP29 currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, the hot news comes from Madagascar, where civil society is stepping up to denounce an alarming situation. While the Malagasy government is fighting to obtain the status of “carbon neutral country” and funds to support this laudable initiative, Malagasy citizens are protesting against two controversial road projects: the Tana-Tamatave highway and the Route du Soleil. These projects, described as opaque and destructive to the environment, are strongly criticized by biodiversity defenders.
In a joint statement signed by more than 60 Malagasy civil society organizations, the IMF is singled out for its role in the threat to Madagascar’s vital forests. While the international institution has granted a $321 million loan to Madagascar to finance climate resilience, environmental defenders believe that the conditions for granting it are far too weak. Indeed, these funds risk financing road projects that will worsen the climate crisis instead of solving it.
The outrage is palpable among environmental conservation activists. Corrine Rahoeliarisoa, country coordinator of the National Coalition for Environmental Advocacy, denounces a flagrant gap between Madagascar’s international speeches and its actions on the ground. For Jean-Philippe Palasi, founder of INDRI, the lack of consultation with civil society is worrying. He warns of the disastrous consequences of the destruction of Madagascar’s primary forests, already threatened by drought and water shortages.
The signatories of the communiqué call on international donors to reconsider their financial support until the protection of Madagascar’s forests is guaranteed. They recognize the need for funding to combat climate change, but stress the importance of preserving the island’s environment and biodiversity.
Faced with these crucial issues, it is imperative that international decision-makers take into account the concerns of Malagasy civil society and act in favor of an ecological transition that respects the environment. The future of Madagascar and its biodiversity depends on how these challenges are met collectively.