Madagascar: Rampant Kidnappings Spread Fear and Insecurity in Madagascar

What the report says

An Institute for Security Studies analysis republished by AllAfrica says Madagascar is facing a troubling surge in kidnappings and disappearances, especially in and around the capital, Antananarivo. The article, published on 5 August 2026, says authorities estimate more than 200 people have been kidnapped or reported missing over the past seven months, with many incidents occurring in May through July. Police reportedly recovered most of those affected, while some were found dead and others remain missing.

The analysis says the current wave is unusual for Madagascar because it has spread into urban areas and often happens in daylight, unlike earlier cases that were mostly rural and linked to ransom demands. It also notes that victims have included children, teenagers and adults, and that some cases involved torture or other extreme violence. The report says the scale of the attacks has deepened public fear and raised questions about whether one or several criminal groups are involved.

President Colonel Michaël Randrianirina has described the kidnappings as acts of terrorism, while the prime minister has vowed to respond firmly. The government has deployed the military in Antananarivo and arrested at least 16 people, but the article says investigators have not identified masterminds. Some public speculation has linked the violence to political instability, organized crime or ritual motives, though the analysis says there is no evidence connecting former president Andry Rajoelina to the cases.

The report argues that military deployment alone will not solve the crisis. It says Madagascar’s leaders need stronger intelligence work, prosecutions, broader reform and support for victims, against the backdrop of recent political upheaval, poverty and weak trust in state institutions.