Madagascar Reflects on 2024: From AIDS Awareness to Electoral Promise

The year 2024 ends with Madagascar reflecting on its challenges and progress. As 2024 drew to a close, World AIDS Day was marked with solemn commemoration in the port city of Antsiranana. Amidst the rain, citizens gathered for prayer and awareness campaigns, reflecting on the persistent threat of this sexually transmitted disease.

While global statistics point to improvements in this fight, "AIDS, this sexually transmitted disease, continues," as highlighted by local health workers. "However, many people believe that this dangerous pathology does not exist," poses a significant hurdle. This skepticism makes it difficult to encourage people to get tested, highlighting the courage required of Madagascar’s medical professionals.

The year also saw Madagascar caught in the grip of election fever. Distractions wielded the power of faith, with church attendance peaking strategically as candidates sought voter favor in the lead up to the municipal elections. The excitement culminated in rallies, parades, and promises, echoing the dynamic hustle of global democracies.

"The next day will be the last day of the election campaign, a Faradoba deserves a surprise party because the country’s 1,695 municipalities will do everything to win the hearts of the people," wrote Iss Heridiny. The intense campaigning had a cost; "Certainly, most people will take out what little they have in their small wallets."

On December 10, election silence descended as citizens waited with baited breath for the results. Celebrations followed for the declared winners, often accompanied by parades and pronouncements of victory. Disputes and accusations of violations are a familiar tune in Madagascar’s politics, with losing candidates often challenging results, leaving the ultimate judgment to theCorte constitutional. No matter the outcome, the vibrant memories of Faradoba election celebrations will linger in Madagascar’s collective memory long into the new year.

While politicians celebrated their triumphs or lamented their defeats, ordinary Malagasy citizens grappled with the realities of everyday life. Many looked back on 2024 as a year of perseverance, living wage to wage under challenging circumstances.

"Living below the poverty line, the Malagasy people still try to climb…," writes Heridiny. The weight of "burden prevents them from reaching the top."

For civil servants, the year ended with a hopeful eye towards the President’s end-of-year address. "The civil servants in faded shirts can’t wait to see the President of the Republic on their small screen next December 31, not for retrospect, but for enhancement [of salaries]," Heridiny points out.

As Madagascar welcomes the new year, its citizens will continue to carry the hopes and struggles of 2024, charting a path forward amidst a blend of social, economic, and political complexities.