Security forces fired tear gas at an opposition protest

Peaceful Assembly

Madagascar will hold presidential elections in November 2023. In this context, on 31st March, Madagascar’s Interior Minister announced a ban on political demonstrations in open public places, ordering that they be limited to enclosed spaces.

On 2nd October 2023, several opposition candidates took to the streets to protest against what they call an "institutional coup" to keep the current President in power. Early in the morning, security officers were already blocking the square where the rally was going to take place and later on fired tear gas to disperse protesters. As a result, several people, including a presidential candidate, were injured.

The High Constitutional Court of Madagascar ordered a one-week postponement of the presidential elections in light of protests that led to the injury of two presidential candidates. The first round of elections will now take place on November 16; the second round of elections is scheduled for December 20.