Tales From Madagascar

​ Amnesty International has issued multiple recent statements and reports highlighting intensified repression in Madagascar, particularly following a military coup in October 2025 that ousted the previous regime amid youth-led Gen Z protests demanding better governance and services. These documents condemn arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force, and vague charges like "criminal conspiracy" and "threats to national security" to silence activists, civil society, and critics under the junta's anti-corruption pretext.  Key Concerns on Repression Post-2025 Coup Amnesty's April 2026 statements focus on the military authorities' crackdown on Gen Z activists: - Arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of protesters voicing concerns over water, electricity shortages, corruption, and governance.  - Invocation of the outdated 1960 Order 60-082 to justify excessive force and criminalise peaceful assembly, violating international stan...

​ The healthcare worker shortage in Madagascar is attributed to several interrelated factors: 1. Insufficient Training and Education Opportunities - Limited Medical Schools: There are only a few medical schools in Madagascar, resulting in a limited number of graduates each year. This restricts the inflow of new healthcare professionals into the workforce. - Quality of Training: Some training programs may not meet international standards, leading to inadequately trained healthcare workers entering the system. 2. Brain Drain - Migration of Professionals: Many trained healthcare workers leave Madagascar for better opportunities abroad. Factors such as higher salaries, better working conditions, and advanced training prospects in countries with robust healthcare systems contribute to this brain drain. 3. Low Salaries and Poor Working Conditions - Compensation Issues: Healthcare workers in Madagascar often receive low salaries that do not reflect the demands of their job. This can deter ind...

​ The following  illustrates the challenges facing Madagascar's health infrastructure: 1. Limited Healthcare Facilities - Number of Health Facilities: According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Madagascar has about 0.5 hospital beds per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3.2 beds per 1,000 people. - Urban vs. Rural Disparities: Approximately 60% of the population lives in rural areas, yet only about 30% of healthcare facilities are located there, creating a significant access gap. 2. Inadequate Resources - Medicine Shortages: A survey by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that 42% of health facilities lacked essential medications for treating common diseases such as malaria and respiratory infections. - Medical Equipment: The WHO has reported that many health facilities lack basic medical equipment; for instance, only 40% of hospitals reportedly have the necessary diagnostic tools like X-ray machines. 3. Workforce Challenges ...

​ Madagascar authorities have foiled an alleged assassination plot and coup attempt targeting interim President Michael Randrianirina, charging 13 suspects including high-ranking military officers, with 11 detained as of early April 2026. A coup would be a disaster for the country.  Background on the Plot The conspiracy involved plans to assassinate the 52-year-old president and overthrow the government, uncovered through encrypted WhatsApp messages, SMS exchanges, and secret meetings.  Prosecutors revealed the plot had been in development over a long period, with funding estimated at around 20 billion ariary (approximately $4.8 million) traced to suspects' accounts—some of whom confessed to using these funds. Raids on suspects' homes yielded large sums of money and weapons. Key Suspects and Charges - Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy: A former director-level presidential official dismissed in January 2026, identified as a key organiser and coordinator. - Unnamed general: Publicly...

​ Malnutrition remains a critical public health issue in Madagascar. Here are some key statistics that illustrate the extent of malnutrition in the country: 1. General Malnutrition Rates - Prevalence of Malnutrition: According to the Global Nutrition Report (2021), about 37% of children under five years of age in Madagascar are stunted due to chronic malnutrition. This is significantly higher than the global average of around 22%. - Wasting Rates: Approximately 6% of children under five are classified as wasted, meaning they have a low weight for their height, indicating acute malnutrition. This figure is alarming as the threshold for a serious public health situation is 5%. 2. Child Malnutrition - Stunting: The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2018 reported that 44% of children under five are stunted, reflecting long-term nutritional deficiencies. - Underweight Children: The same survey indicated that approximately 25% of children under five are underweight. This refle...

​ I was born in Guernsey and lived there for most of my life barring 12 or so years in Ireland and subsequently decided to retire to Madagascar. This caught my eye and I can understand why the deputy calls for an end to overseas aid.  Guernsey is a small island ( it is a British Crown Dependency) with a population  of around 65,000 people and an estimated GDP of 3’5 billion sterling.  So per capita GDP is relatively high.   The economy faces significant challenges including low productivity, declining labour participation, high inflation, structural fiscal deficits, and relative underperformance. Middle and lower income households are under pressure and some parts of the community are finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the high cost of living and in particular house prices and house rentals.   Guernsey residents will decide but it got me thinking about the pros and cons for wealthy countries to assist poorer nations.  The case for wealthy countri...