Protests Ahead of 2023 Presidential Elections in Madagascar

Madagascar is set to elect its president on 16 November 2023, for the next five years. Madagascar's Collectif des 10 - 10 of the 13 contenders for the presidential election - wrote a two-page letter condemning the alleged manipulation of the electoral process by President Andry Rajoelina, calling directly on France to put pressure on Rajoelina.

Between 1991 and 2018, all elections were marked by minor or major troubles, sometimes leading to electoral disputes, protests and violence against property and people.

Demonstrations have been taking place since 2 October, with over 10,000 people demonstrating in Antananarivo, Tulear, Majunga, Antsirabe, Mananara nord, Mananjary, Akazomanga, Anjanahary, Ampasapito, Behoririka and Fianarantsoa. The demonstrations, which began peacefully, gradually turned violent after the gatherings began. The official number of people injured and affected is still unknown for the last two weeks of demonstrations, but the Red Cross assisted 11 people and 146 volunteers/employees were mobilized Madagascar Elections Readiness 2023 says.

President Andry Rajoelina is seeking a third term, though political upheavals over the past 14 years - which restarted the constitutional clock - would make this his second consecutive term. An opposition presidential candidate Jean Jacques was arrested at a protest in the capital Antananarivo and last month two candidates, including former President Marc Ravalomanana, were injured during opposition protests, the BBC reports.