Introduction

Madagascar is part of the African continent and has chosen, since the Second Republic, both a democratic regime and political system. A regime in which both the government and the people share inseparable power. Democracy, meanwhile, is a system that respects its principles, values, and objectives. On this island, democracy takes root in one way or another to meet the needs of the entire population. But what kind of democracy actually exists in Madagascar? This article examines the functioning of the democratic regime in Madagascar in the first part, and the challenges to achieving good democratic governance in the second part.

Functioning of the Democratic Regime in Madagascar

To begin with, the majority of Malagasy people are aware that they live in a democratic country. Yet, it remains difficult to fully implement the principles of this regime (popular sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, rule of law, free and fair elections, political and media pluralism). Most of these principles are still unclear and, in particular, not fully applied as intended. In addition to these principles, there are democratic values and objectives—such as social justice, stability, social cohesion, and prosperity—that should be achieved and respected. However, the Malagasy people are far from experiencing these values fully. Evidence of this is the repeated claims for fundamental rights since 1972, 1991, 2002, 2009, 2018, and continuing today, which reflect needs that are not difficult to address. Thus, choosing democracy as both a regime and a system on the island is already a significant step. Yet the question remains—for both the population and the leaders—what means are necessary to achieve true democracy in this country? Understanding and recognizing the democratic challenges is therefore crucial.

Challenges to Achieving Good Democratic Governance in Madagascar

Achieving good democratic governance requires a strong demand for accountability from everyone. Each citizen must understand that the development of a nation depends on personal development. In this context, it is essential that all Malagasy citizens invest in education; even basic political knowledge is never a waste of time. Similarly, the country’s leaders—including the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Directors, and all development actors—must work with honesty, transparency, and integrity. This is key to achieving good democratic governance in Madagascar. Such efforts are necessary to meet the needs of the entire population and to uphold the fundamental principles, values, and objectives of democracy.

Conclusion

In practice, regarding the principles, values, and objectives of democracy, Madagascar still operates under a political system in which only the President holds power. This hinders development in all its forms and calls for collective change. Considering the current socio-political context—GEN-Z protests demanding basic necessities like water and electricity, the ongoing power struggle between political opponents and incumbents, alongside violence, corruption, and misinformation—how can true democracy be easily achieved in Madagascar?

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