In Mahajanga, traders are refusing to vacate the sidewalks despite the expiration of the deadline granted by the municipality, raising fears of clashes during the eviction scheduled for today.
It is D-Day for the operation to evict traders from the sidewalks and public roads located in front of the City Hall up to the Analakely market. A new 48-hour extension was granted by the Mahajanga municipality last Wednesday, which expired yesterday, following a formal notice sent a month ago. Given the situation yesterday, there is a risk of confrontation today.
“This is an avenue, yet businesses are invading the space. Vehicles are parked in the middle of the road, and the bus station should be located behind. It takes half an hour to travel this 400-meter stretch from the City Hall to the Analakely market due to the congestion. We are witnessing a real mess and a lack of respect for traffic laws in this area. Cooperatives have been warned to move their vehicles to the back. They will be evicted if they refuse to follow the municipality’s organization. Most of these street vendors are not in compliance and are set up on the sidewalks. Hardware stores and other businesses will be moved behind the authorized alignment. The municipality will not back down and will enforce the law,” warned Guy Dolsain Arvely, President of the Special Delegation (PDS).
“Everyone placed in the front row will have to move back 10 meters. A dozen Jirama electric poles and trees are blocked inside these stalls on this avenue. It is unthinkable,” added the second vice-PDS, Amina Soilihi.
Yesterday morning, traders rushed to the City Hall to try to engage in dialogue with the municipality, but in vain. They ceased their commercial activities in the morning. On Wednesday, they declared that they would not leave, no matter what happens, and are firmly awaiting their eviction scheduled for today.
“We will not leave; we have been here for decades. We are staying. Do what you want, but we will not leave. We need money,” the traders declared.
The municipality wants to put an end to the chaos in the city. Those in Mahajanga Be and those located opposite the City Hall, in front of the tennis court, are affected by this measure.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-23 06:08:58 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/mahajanga-risque-daffrontement-entre-la.html