Domestic
Refoundation: FFKM unveils 12 core themes for national dialogue
The Ecumenical Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar (FFKM) has selected twelve themes to structure national dialogue. Behind this broad list lies primarily an inventory of the country's main vulnerabilities, as Madagascar goes through a Refoundation period marked by strong political, social and economic expectations. Governance and public affairs management logically come first. The issue is central in a country where fighting corruption, administrative efficiency and restoring confidence in institutions are among the main challenges. A diagnosis published by the IMF in May 2026 points to several governance vulnerabilities, rule of law, tax and customs administrations as well as public finance management. Fundamental rights, justice, peace and rule of law also take on particular importance in the current context. The Refoundation launched after the 2025 political crisis is based notably on a promise to improve governance and essential services. Difficulties in accessing water, electricity, health, education and justice had indeed been among the grievances fueling the unrest. On the economic front, themes devoted to sustainable development, solidarity and vulnerable people reflect a particularly concerning situation. The World Bank estimates growth at only 3% in 2025 and poverty at around 66.5%, while inflation has remained at high levels. A large part of the population remains dependent on low-productivity agricultural activities, with limited opportunities to access better-paid jobs. The focus on children and youth is therefore significant. The youngest are a population particularly exposed to economic and social difficulties. The World Bank notably emphasizes the importance of child malnutrition, child labor, early marriages and teenage pregnancies in perpetuating poverty. Youth, for its part, now occupies a much more visible place in public debate and has already formulated its own recommendations on governance, economy, social issues, culture and environment. Environment and territorial planning finally respond to a vulnerability that has become structural. Cyclones, droughts, infrastructure degradation and climate change directly affect households and the national economy. As for decentralization and management of local resources, they raise an old question: that of the real capacity of municipalities and regions to have the necessary means to meet local needs. These twelve themes therefore cover much of the root causes of Madagascar's crises. Their real challenge will be less about establishing a new diagnosis than achieving the transformation of proposals from the dialogue into applicable, funded decisions with real effects.
Source: Madagascar Tribune