In Madagascar, civil society actors speak out against the lack of transparency in the legislative adoption process

Mis à jour le 22 May 2026

A Critical Context for Transparency in the Adoption of Laws in Madagascar

In 2025, Madagascar finds itself at a decisive turning point in the evolution of its democracy and the effectiveness of its legislative mechanisms. Civil society, represented by various actors such as the NGO Transparency Madagascar and the Collective of Civil Society Actors, expresses deep concern about the sudden opacity surrounding the law-making process. The situation is deteriorating, fueled by opaque practices where many fundamental texts are adopted in secret, lacking prior consultation with citizens and involved organizations. Malagasy society, the majority of which lacks reliable access to information, thus sees its voice stifled, which seriously undermines the credibility of institutions and fuels a widespread crisis of confidence. The collective denunciation of this trend, echoed by several associations such as the Integrated Civil Society Support Mechanism and the Initiative for Transparency and Good Governance, demonstrates a collective commitment to a thorough reform of the legislative framework, essential to building a rule of law that respects democratic principles. This growing distrust of transparency contributes to further weakening governance by reinforcing the divide between power and citizens. The precarious state of Malagasy democracy underscores the urgent need for national mobilization to restore trust by establishing participatory mechanisms that guarantee the sincerity and legitimacy of the legislative process. The need for a broader debate, including civil society, thus appears to be an inevitable step towards preserving political stability and fostering sustainable development.Discover the importance of transparency in businesses and organizations. Learn how it fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and improves decision-making. Explore concrete examples and strategies to promote transparency within your team. The Challenges of Transparency in the Legislative Process in Madagascar The challenges related to transparency in the adoption of laws go far beyond formal considerations. In Madagascar, growing distrust of the legislative process highlights deep structural dysfunctions. The practice of adopting laws without public consultation, often in the most opaque manner, undermines the legitimacy of the measures passed. To illustrate this problem, it is useful to analyze the concrete consequences of this lack of transparency:⭐ Loss of legitimacy among citizens, who feel excluded from the decision-making process;⭐ A growing sense of injustice and distrust toward institutions; ⭐ An increase in social rejection of laws, which can lead to public disengagement from governance; ⭐ The creation of a democratic vacuum, which limits citizen control and fosters abuses;⭐ The weakening of political stability in the face of growing social and economic crises.This context underscores the imperative need for a thorough reform of access to information legislation, in order to prioritize transparency and citizen participation. The establishment of a legislative framework guaranteeing access to public information is a crucial step in restoring trust and strengthening citizen dialogue. Furthermore, civil society, particularly through networks such as Madagascar for Democracy and Partners for Governance,

, calls for the removal of administrative and legal obstacles that hinder the dissemination of legal and legislative information.

Discover the importance of transparency in business, government, and personal relationships. Learn how clear and honest communication builds trust and fosters positive interactions.

Mechanisms and Initiatives to Strengthen Legislative Transparency in Madagascar

• Several dedicated stakeholders are currently working to overhaul the mechanisms ensuring transparency in the legislative process. Among these initiatives, the Joint Declaration of Civil Society Organizations emphasizes the need to establish clear and accessible procedures, allowing each citizen or interest group to monitor the progress of draft laws. In collaboration with international partners such as the European Commission, Madagascar has launched programs aimed at strengthening civic participation in the legislative process.
• Key Initiatives
• Objectives
• Main Actors
• Expected Impact

Governance Partners Strengthening Transparency and Participation GMG, Local CSOs, International Partners Greater Inclusivity and Legislative Legitimacy Action for Transparency Establish Access to Information MechanismsLocal NGOs, Ministry of Justice

Reducing Opacity in the Legislative Process

Monitoring Legislative Adoption

Universities, Civil SocietyIncreased Transparency and Accountability Among these measures, the creation of digital platforms accessible to all to track the progress of laws in real time is essential. The use of new technologies, such as legislative blockchain, could also help ensure the traceability and transparency of parliamentary votes. Similarly, training and capacity building for local stakeholders, particularly those working in the nonprofit sector, will play a fundamental role in establishing a lasting culture of transparency. For stakeholders such as the entire political class and civil society, solidarity must create a coherent space for exchange and action around a common project: renewed and responsible governance. Discover the importance of transparency in business, governance, and interpersonal relationships. Learn how clarity and openness build trust, promote accountability, and improve communication within organizations. The Impact of Opacity on Democracy and Stability in MadagascarThe lack of transparency in the legislative process is not without consequences. It fuels a crisis of confidence that directly threatens the country’s institutional stability. In Madagascar, where democracy has yet to be consolidated, this situation fosters the rise of social friction, protest movements, and sometimes even violence. The divide between elected officials and citizens is deepening, weakening governance as a whole. The loss of transparency then becomes a destabilizing factor.

Given the multiple challenges Malagasy society faces in 2025, the path forward is to establish a completely renewed legislative regime and governance culture. Civil society must play a central role in this process by being involved in the development, consultation, and monitoring of laws. Priority strategies include: 📝 The implementation of accessible and secure digital platforms to monitor the progress of legislative proposals in real time;📝 Ongoing training for local stakeholders in governance, legislation, and transparency; 📝 The promotion of an open, broad, and pluralistic debate, involving all segments of society;📝 The ratification and effective implementation of the law on access to public information, which has been awaited for 18 years.📝 The creation of independent oversight bodies, such as the Observatory of Laws, tasked with assessing the compliance of proposed legislation with the principles of transparency and legality. This global process requires the selection of credible actors and the consolidation of lasting partnerships, particularly with the international community, in order to establish the new rules on a solid basis. The collective determination to open the legislative process constitutes the cornerstone of a more inclusive and responsible democratic future in Madagascar.

The opaque abuses of the Malagasy legislative system constitute a serious threat to democratic consolidation. If these practices persist, Madagascar risks experiencing increasing isolation, both regionally and internationally. The global community, particularly the European Union, urges increased pressure to enforce democratic standards, in particular by promoting the adoption of a robust legislative framework for access to information.

Risk factors

• Potential consequences
• Recommended Answers
• ⚠️ Secret adoption of laws
• 🌀 Loss of confidence and political instability

📝 Implementation of participatory mechanisms⚠️ Lack of access to information🌀 Erosion of fundamental democratic principles

📝 Strengthening control and transparency institutions

⚠️ Political manipulation

🌀 Authoritarian or populist excesses

• 📝 Independent monitoring and strengthened civil engagement
• Faced with these risks, the national and international community must mobilize all its stakeholders through the implementation of effective and innovative tools to monitor, denounce and act against any attempt at deviation. Malagasy democracy can only stabilize in the long term if each citizen has an effective weapon: reliable and accessible information.
• Human issues and the quest for social justice in Madagascar
• The lack of transparency in lawmaking also translates into tangible injustice for vulnerable populations. In a context where poverty, food insecurity, and marginalization are becoming a concern, Action for Transparency and Civil Society Madagascar emphasize the urgent need to ensure equitable access to legislation. Without such an imperative, many communities risk remaining excluded from public policies, deepening their feelings of abandonment and injustice. Transparency then becomes a powerful lever for ensuring social development that respects fundamental rights, particularly the right to a secure and equitable legal framework. The implementation of participatory mechanisms could bridge this divide by giving voice to marginalized populations.

Perspectives and Pathways for a More Participatory Legislative Future in Madagascar For Madagascar to overcome these challenges, local efforts and international support will be required. Legislative transparency must become a central pillar of governance through several concrete actions: 🔍 Adopt a long-awaited law on access to public information to guarantee transparency; 🔍 Create independent oversight bodies, such as the Observatory of Laws, to assess compliance with democratic principles; 🔍 Establish interactive digital platforms for transparent monitoring of legislative processes; 🔍 Strengthen training, particularly for youth and civil society actors, on the challenges of participatory governance;

🔍 Promote inclusive dialogue, aimed at uniting all stakeholders around common objectives for a democratic and responsible Madagascar.

Only collective commitment and strong political will will allow for the establishment of more open governance, fully respecting the voice of each citizen. Malagasy democracy will only be renewed through this shared effort, for a fairer and more stable future.

1. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Legislative Transparency in Madagascar
2. Why is transparency in the legislative process crucial in Madagascar?
3. Because it guarantees citizen participation, strengthens the legitimacy of laws, and promotes political stability by preventing the concentration of power in the hands of a few.
4. What are the main obstacles to transparency in Madagascar? The opaque practices of the political class, the lack of access to public information, and the absence of independent oversight mechanisms.What can citizens do to encourage transparency?
5. Participate in public debates, follow legislative activities via digital platforms, support activist NGOs, and lobby for the adoption of access to information laws. What is the international community’s contribution? It provides technical support, funds programs to strengthen civil society, and encourages the adoption of global standards of democratic transparency.How could Madagascar restore trust in its institutions?

By establishing systematic transparency, strengthening independent oversight bodies, and engaging in sincere dialogue with civil society, to build responsible and inclusive governance.

Source:

fr.news.yahoo.com