A new glimmer of hope. Every regime change and presidential transition, whether following a political crisis or an election, is always accompanied by a fragile hope among the population. Since 1972, all eyes have been set on true development and the country’s genuine independence on every front.
Each time, however, the disillusionment has come quickly. Philibert Tsiranana advocated a politics of the belly; Gabriel Ramanantsoa promised development by any means necessary; Didier Ratsiraka kept a socialist paradise inaccessible to his opponents, vowing that Madagascar would never kneel. Marc Ravalomanana arrived like a messiah, maintaining that illusion for one term before confusing national finance laws with corporate accounting. Hery Rajaonarimampianina wasted time on structural projects at the expense of urgent priorities. His result in the 2019 presidential election speaks volumes about the disappointment of a population that had bet heavily on his qualities as an intellectual and chartered accountant, only to face a crushing failure where corruption, insecurity, load-shedding, water shortages, and anarchy did not recede by a single inch.
Then came Andry Rajoelina, with a development plan built on grandeur, luxury, dreams, trivialities, charity, and welfare. Grand words and fine speeches centered on impressive projects, yet far removed from the priorities of a population struggling in immeasurable poverty. Welfare and mendicancy do not constitute a driver for development.
After more than half a century of wandering—longer than the people of Israel, led by Jacob and his family, took to leave Canaan for Egypt, where his son Joseph became patriarch. A journey of 400 km completed in 40 years. After several centuries of slavery, the Hebrews returned to Israel under the leadership of Moses toward the Promised Land.
This passage of biblical history is uncannily similar to our own journey. We have seen it all: famine, plague epidemics, cholera, Covid, mpox… despite all the “Tolona” (struggles) carried out, paid for with the lives of martyrs who died for the sake of opportunists.
In the absence of a Lionel Messi who scores a flurry of goals at the World Cup, we await a Moses to perform miracles like parting the Red Sea. Conversely, the ten plagues of Egypt arrived as sanctions upon the Pharaoh for refusing to let the Hebrews go.
Could the “Refoundation” led by Colonel Michaël Randrianirina be the ideal solution to all these disillusionments and disappointments? In any case, many are pinning their hopes on this Refoundation, which is supposed to review everything, erase all bad choices and errors of the past, and overhaul the entire governance system.
Let us agree: one cannot transform a gangrenous country in six months. No one can keep such a promise and turn around a situation bordering on the abyss. Nevertheless, certain practices, facts, actions, lapses in judgment, choices, violations, and abuses evoke painful memories, a sad past, and an unforgettable history. It is not too late to change course, given that the Refoundation could be the last bullet in the chamber of development.
Sylvain Ranjalahy
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-24 07:01:18 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/cette-fois-ou-jamais.html