Madagascar: Teacher strike continues June 11

Event

As of Monday, June 11, a strike launched by teachers on April 30 continues throughout the country, with particularly high participation rates in the capital Antananarivo. The strike was launched following an opposition activist call for a nationwide general strike amid an ongoing political crisis. Primary, middle, and high schools have been closed across the country for more than a month, notably in cities.

Context

Teachers are demanding the payment of transportation and accommodation fees.

Anti-government protests, ongoing now in Madagascar for more than seven weeks, are linked to three controversial electoral bills passed in early April by the parliament. The vote was boycotted by opposition MPs, claiming the laws were enacted to stop opposition politician Marc Ravalomanana from running for office later in the year. On June 5, opposition leaders called for demonstrations to continue. This is despite the June 4 nomination of Christian Ntsay as “consensus” prime minister to head a national unity government, a move that was intended to end the crisis.

During an opposition march held on April 21, police fired teargas at demonstrators, fatally wounding two people. On May 3, the High Constitutional Court ruled the three laws unconstitutional; protests continued despite the ruling.

Advice

Individuals in Madagascar, particularly in Antananarivo, are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence.