Why does Madagascar struggle to break free from the cycle of political crises? This question was at the heart of the conference-debate titled “Recurring Political Crises in Madagascar,” held on August 7 at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of the University of Antananarivo.
The meeting brought together political scientist Christiane Rafidinarivo, researcher Faneva Ratsimba Rajaona, and historian Richard Ranarivony to discuss the causes and mechanisms behind this recurring phenomenon.
Professor Christiane Rafidinarivo, a doctor of political science, framed the issue within a structural perspective. Discussions highlighted the historical recurrence of these crises, with a periodicity estimated at approximately ten to twelve years, which appears to be shortening. Underlying this repetition are several fragilities: persistent poverty, economic difficulties, inequalities, weak governance, and institutional dysfunction.
This approach moves beyond a simple chronology of events. The challenge is to understand why crisis resolution efforts often fail to produce deep enough transformations to prevent their return. The discussion also addressed the role of institutions and political actors, noting that when dialogue and arbitration mechanisms falter, power struggles often shift to the streets.
Historian and Vice-President of the University of Antananarivo, Richard Ranarivony, moderated the session, emphasizing that historical analysis allows for viewing these crises not as isolated phenomena, but as part of a broader societal continuity. The consensus remains that political crises cannot be dissociated from the country’s social, economic, and institutional fragilities.
The conference, organized by Master 2 students in Cultural Mediation and Management, aimed to position the university as a space for reflection on the nation’s major political challenges.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-10 06:23:35 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/conference-la-persistance-des-crises.html