A dispute has broken out between a segment of the local community and the new Fokontany chief in Aranta. The handover ceremony between the former chief and the new official was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM at the Fokontany office.
Residents opposed the installation of Jean-Noël Rasolomonenjanahary and his team. Members of the EMMO-Sécurité (Security Force) intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
“We do not want this stranger. We need an election and want to choose for ourselves; please respect our choice. We ask the Prefect of Mahajanga to come down to the Fokontany,” the residents declared.
The former Aranta Fokontany chief, Jinoro Velomanana Ferdinand, was appointed Regional Director of Youth and Sports for the Melaky region following the Council of Ministers meeting on June 10th. A committee member had succeeded him in the role until last Wednesday.
“I have been appointed and designated by decree, and I am here to execute that decision. The handover was disrupted by individuals. These disruptors are supporters of the former regime, and it is normal for them to protest. I did not come to create disorder; on the contrary, I am here to contribute to the development of the Fokontany. I was accompanied by my team and the Sojabe (elders),” the new chief explained. However, he was unable to access his office, and the next steps now depend on the intervention of the Mahajanga Prefecture.
According to the latest decree from the supervisory ministry, Fokontany chiefs are currently subject to transitional appointments by the administration, pending national consultations on institutional reforms. Fokontany committee members are appointed by the competent administrative authority, namely the district head or the prefect. The chief is chosen primarily from state agents residing in the locality; otherwise, they are selected from residents who are literate and capable of managing local administration.
Recently, the leadership of several of the twenty-six Fokontany in the urban commune of Mahajanga has been renewed, including in Mahajanga Be, Mahavoky Atsimo, and Mangarivotra.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-18 05:54:02 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/mahajanga-le-fokonolona-conteste-le.html