Madagascar: Civil society organizes its own consultations in the absence of national dialogue

Filling the Dialogue Vacuum

Madagascar's much-anticipated national dialogue, intended to lay the groundwork for a new constitution and electoral system, has been repeatedly postponed and its future remains uncertain. Organized under the auspices of Christian Churches, the process lacks clear modalities and a definitive timeline, creating a vacuum in national discourse. In response to this prolonged delay, various civil society organizations have taken the initiative to launch their own citizen consultations across the country. This proactive approach underscores a growing impatience among citizens and a determination to ensure their voices are heard in critical national reforms.

These independent consultations are not merely a protest but a strategic effort to prepare well-thought-out proposals. Groups like the National Council of Women of Madagascar are convening workshops, bringing together diverse participants from civil society, political parties, and public administration. Their aim is to develop concrete recommendations that can be presented once the official dialogue eventually commences, preventing them from being caught unprepared and ensuring their aspirations are articulated clearly and forcefully.

Key Demands from the Grassroots

The citizen consultations are focusing on a range of pressing issues that directly impact the lives of ordinary Malagasy citizens. A significant concern highlighted by Hélène Razafindrasoa, president of the Federation of Peasant Women of Madagascar, is land insecurity, particularly in rural areas. She notes the complex and lengthy procedures for accessing land, which disproportionately affect young people and women, many of whom are illiterate. The civil society groups are advocating for simplified land access procedures to address this fundamental issue.

Another central theme is the call for greater representation of women in political institutions. Eléonore Johasy, a former minister and political party coordinator, supports the idea of positive discrimination for women in the future electoral system. This measure aims to ensure that women can play a more significant role in shaping Madagascar's societal organization and governance. These specific demands reflect a desire for a more equitable and inclusive future, moving beyond mere participation to active leadership and policy influence.

Implications for Madagascar's Future

The independent consultations by civil society carry significant implications for Madagascar's political landscape. By proactively formulating proposals, these groups are asserting their agency and potentially influencing the agenda of the official national dialogue, whenever it materializes. Their efforts could pressure the government and the Churches to accelerate the official process and ensure it is genuinely inclusive and responsive to citizen concerns. The proposals generated from these grassroots efforts could form a robust counter-narrative or a complementary set of recommendations to any government-led initiatives.

Ultimately, the official national dialogue is intended to serve as the foundation for drafting the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, which is slated for adoption by referendum in June 2027. The active engagement of civil society ensures that the constitutional drafting process is not solely an elite-driven exercise but is informed by the diverse perspectives and needs of the population. This bottom-up approach to constitutional reform could foster greater legitimacy and public ownership of the new foundational document, potentially leading to a more stable and representative governance structure for Madagascar.