Fifty-three years ago, Antananarivo was featured in the title of an OSS 117 spy novel, the hero created by Jean Bruce in 1949. The title, “Drifting in Antananarivo,” feels strangely prophetic today. While the novel’s plot is a matter of fiction, the title reflects the current state of the capital.
The article distinguishes this “drift” from the controversial cybercrime bill currently before the National Assembly, which critics fear could threaten freedom of expression through state surveillance. However, the real, visible drift is in the city itself. Antananarivo is struggling with anarchy, a lack of civic duty, and the absence of urban planning since 1972. The city lacks basic infrastructure like sidewalks, parking, and traffic signs, and much of the population struggles to adapt to urban life.
The Urban Commune of Antananarivo (CUA) is working hard to restore the city’s luster, but it is a Herculean task. Efforts to enforce order and hygiene—such as clearing sidewalks of merchants or relocating bush taxis—are met with resistance. The residents, often due to a lack of education and the harsh realities of poverty, remain indifferent to the Municipal Hygiene Code.
Ultimately, while the CUA deserves credit for attempting to pull the city out of this abyss, the deep-seated issues of poverty and lack of civic education make the challenge of transforming Antananarivo into a clean, orderly city an uphill battle that many doubt can be won.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-03 05:39:19 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/derive-tananarive.html