The political climate in Madagascar is currently in turmoil in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for early November. The opposition accuses those in power of plotting to favor the outgoing president, Andry Rajoelina. The repression of the protests was described as “disproportionate” by the UN.
Tensions have reached their peak in recent weeks, with the banning of opposition rallies and the use of tear gas by the police. The UN has expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Madagascar.
In this tense context, Andry Rajoelina officially launched his campaign during a meeting in Antananarivo. He promised an “orange wave” and said no one could take victory away from him. His speech was delivered in front of a crowd made up of both supporters dressed in their Sunday best who arrived in luxury cars and local residents living in a deprived area.
Andry Rajoelina, aged 49, came to power in 2009 after a mutiny that toppled Marc Ravalomanana. Despite being banned from running in 2013, he was finally elected in 2018.
However, his candidacy was contested by ten opposition candidates, who denounced an “institutional coup d’état”. The High Constitutional Court rejected the appeals and Andry Rajoelina was allowed to run. However, press reports revealed that he had been naturalized French in 2014, raising questions about his Malagasy nationality and therefore his legitimacy to lead the country.
This unstable political situation worries the international community, with countries such as the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and France closely following the electoral process. The UN has called for a proportionate crackdown on protests and protection of human rights.
The November presidential election in Madagascar therefore promises to be under high tension, with major political issues and an opposition determined to defeat the outgoing president. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming weeks and what consequences this election will have for the future of the country.