Latest news in Madagascar? September 2nd, 2026
02-09-2026
- Sentencing of Former Security Official: On September 1, 2026, a court in Antananarivo sentenced General Richard Ravalomanana, a prominent security official under ousted president Andry Rajoelina, to 10 years of hard labor for his involvement in the violent crackdowns against protesters during the late 2025 political demonstrations. NAMPA
- Reclamation of Colonial-Era Land: Following constitutional approval in August 2026, Madagascar has begun implementing Law No. 2026-007. The legislation allows the state to seize and nationalize colonial-era lands that remained registered under foreign names after Madagascar gained independence on June 26, 1960, and were never subsequently transferred to Malagasy nationals. www.africanews.com
- Drought and El Niño Warnings: Regional humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF, issued urgent warnings regarding the intensifying 2026/2027 El Niño weather pattern. Forecasters warn that resulting droughts and erratic weather will disproportionately heighten child nutrition and water security challenges across southern and eastern Africa, including vulnerable regions of Madagascar. ReliefWeb+ 1
- Post-Cyclone Recovery and Infrastructure: Reconstruction efforts remain active across northern and eastern districts following heavy storm damage earlier in the year, alongside ongoing infrastructure projects including port expansion studies in Diego-Suarez and continued public debate regarding the operational costs and accessibility of the Antananarivo cable car transit system. ReliefWeb