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Breaking the Pyramid of Corruption: Leadership, Justice and Madagascar’s Reform Challenge Part 7: Breaking Corruption

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Part 7: Breaking Corruption Corruption is often described as a moral failure: dishonest officials, greedy businessmen and citizens willing to pay for favours. But corruption is more than individual wrongdoing. It is a system of control. When public money disappears, services deteriorate. When services deteriorate, citizens become dependent on personal connections, unofficial payments and political protection. In this way, corruption strengthens the pyramid of coercion: those at the top retain power, while those at the bottom are forced to negotiate for rights that should already belong to them. Breaking corruption therefore requires more than arresting a few individuals. It requires dismantling the conditions that allow corruption to survive. The first step is transparency. Public budgets, government contracts, tax revenues and development funds should be accessible and understandable. Citizens cannot hold leaders accountable for money they cannot see. Transparency turns public finance...
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Breaking the Pyramid of Corruption: Leadership, Justice and Madagascar’s Reform Challenge Part 6: Leadership

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Part 6: Leadership Leadership is often presented as power, authority and control. In reality, leadership is measured by responsibility: the willingness to make difficult decisions, accept consequences and place the public interest above personal advantage. This is especially important when discussing corruption. Corruption is not sustained by dishonest individuals alone. It survives when leaders tolerate it, benefit from it or fail to challenge it. A corrupt system therefore reflects not only the actions of those who take bribes, but also the decisions of those who allow such behaviour to continue. Leadership sets the standard Every organisation takes its direction from the example set at the top. If leaders respect the law, demand transparency and treat public resources as a public trust, these values can spread throughout government and society. But when leaders use public office for private gain, reward loyalty instead of competence, or protect those accused of wrongdoing, they send...
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From Promises to Results: What Will the Madagascar–Russia Partnership Deliver?

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The proposed cooperation between Madagascar and Russia has been presented as an opportunity to promote Russian language and culture, expand humanitarian assistance, and support education, youth training and scientific research. These objectives could bring real benefits to the Malagasy population. Better access to education, professional training and humanitarian support should be welcomed. But a memorandum of understanding is not the same as a completed project, and presidential statements are not tangible results. The central question is simple: What will ordinary Malagasy citizens actually receive from this partnership? From announcements to implementation The proposed cooperation reportedly includes Russian-language programmes, cultural centres, university exchanges, youth training and scientific collaboration. There has also been discussion of up to US$10 million in funding. However, the public needs clarity: - Has the funding been formally committed? - Who will administer it? - W...
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Breaking the Pyramid of Corruption: Leadership, Justice and Madagascar’s Reform Challenge Part 5: The International Comparison—2012–2025

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Part 5: The International Comparison—2012–2025 Madagascar should not be judged in isolation. Other countries have faced similar problems: weak institutions, political interference, limited public resources, and a public distrustful of those in power. Some have nevertheless improved their corruption scores over the past decade. The important question is not whether these countries have “eliminated” corruption. No country has done that. The more useful question is what changed in practice. Did they strengthen judicial independence, so that judges could investigate powerful individuals without political interference? Did they professionalise public appointments, replacing loyalty-based appointments with competence, experience, and transparent criteria? Did they digitise procurement and public services, reducing opportunities for officials to demand bribes or manipulate contracts? Other questions are equally important. Did they protect whistleblowers who exposed wrongdoing? Did leaders all...
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Media Sovereignty or a Change of Influence?

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A recent statement attributed to Madagascar’s President of the Refondation, Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, reportedly called on Russia to help Madagascar confront the influence of European media in Africa. The appeal raises an important question: what does media sovereignty really mean? There is a legitimate concern about the dominance of foreign narratives. African countries have often been described, analysed and judged through European media institutions. These outlets may focus on instability, poverty, corruption and political failure while giving less attention to local perspectives, achievements and aspirations. Africa certainly needs stronger media institutions capable of telling its own stories. Madagascar needs journalism that reflects Malagasy experiences and allows Malagasy citizens to make their voices heard internationally. But seeking Russian support creates an obvious contradiction. Russia is not widely regarded as a model of independent journalism. Its media environment...
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Breaking the Pyramid of Corruption: Leadership, Justice and Madagascar’s Reform Challenge Part 4: Lessons from History—Country Examples and Madagascar’s Place

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Part 4: Lessons from History—Country Examples and Madagascar’s Place History shows that national decline rarely happens overnight. It usually develops through a series of smaller failures: weak institutions, poor accountability, increasing corruption, limited economic opportunity and a growing distance between government and the people. Madagascar is not unique in facing these pressures. Other countries have experienced similar challenges, although each followed its own path. When institutions become weak In many countries, corruption begins as an occasional abuse of power. Over time, however, it can become embedded in the way public services, contracts and political influence are managed. When rules are applied selectively, citizens lose confidence in institutions. Businesses become reluctant to invest, public employees may go unpaid, and people increasingly depend on personal connections rather than formal systems. This creates a dangerous cycle. Weak institutions make corruption eas...
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Madagascar’s Future Leaders: Learning Governance from Russia?

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Reports that senior Malagasy officials may receive training in Russia have raised important questions about Madagascar’s future direction. The possibility was mentioned by Colonel Michael Randrianirina during a visit to the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in Moscow. The proposed training would reportedly focus on improving governance, strengthening patriotism and combating corruption. Madagascar is also said to be interested in Russia’s approach to preparing future public-sector leaders from a young age. At this stage, the details remain unclear. No specific programme, participant list, curriculum or timetable appears to have been announced. It is therefore important to distinguish between what has been stated and what is speculation. There may be genuine advantages. Madagascar needs stronger public institutions, better-trained administrators and a more effective approach to corruption. Learning from another country’s experience could provide useful ideas—...
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