Insecurity is currently worsening in the commune of Ilakaka Be. According to information gathered on-site, more than five people have been shot dead in just the last few days, most of whom were small-scale miners and gemstone buyers. Less than a week ago, a butcher was attacked by armed ‘dahalo’ (bandits) in the city center and died instantly. On Tuesday evening, a gold buyer from Andohanilakaka was also shot dead while walking home. The money and gemstones he was carrying were stolen. “We can no longer go out at night. It is no longer just insecurity, it is truly a war,” testified a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
As a reminder, the sapphire rush began in 1998 in Ilakaka Be, located 735 km from Antananarivo on the RN7. At the time, the village had only six or seven families. It quickly transformed into a vast shantytown hosting thousands of miners from different regions. Since then, insecurity remains the main local problem, with ‘dahalo’ and armed bandit groups ruling the area, particularly at isolated mining sites.
Faced with this situation, residents and miners are demanding more protection. They are calling on the competent authorities, particularly the gendarmerie and the army in Ihosy, to take rapid measures to restore security and protect human lives.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-01 05:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/ilakaka-be-cinq-exploitants-miniers.html