Madagascar plunged into darkness: State of emergency declared and fuel stocks temporarily nationalized

In a move reflecting the depth of the crisis Economic Amid the security challenges facing the African continent due to global turmoil, the Republic of Madagascar has declared a two-week national state of emergency in the energy sector.

The decision taken by the presidency following an emergency cabinet meeting has placed the country in a critical phase of resource management, amid a severe shortage of fuel supplies that threatens to completely paralyze vital facilities and cause widespread social unrest.

Reason for declaring a state of emergency

According to a report published by the BBC, Madagascar is almost entirely dependent on oil imports from the Arabian Gulf region, specifically from the Sultanate of Oman, to operate power plants and drive transportation.

With the outbreak of the military conflict waged by the United States and Israel in Iran since February 28, global supply chains have been directly affected, especially in the Strait of Hormuz region, the coronary artery of global energy.

Despite a two-week “ceasefire” announced earlier on Wednesday, experts in Antananarivo confirm that the damage to the region’s supply infrastructure will take months, if not years, to repair. This grim reality has prompted the government in Madagascar to act proactively to prevent the collapse of the energy system.

Exceptional powers to prevent chaos

President Michael Randriani signed a decree granting the executive branch broad and unprecedented powers. Under this decree, the government now has the right to:

1- Temporarily managing and nationalizing stockpiles: to ensure that private companies do not monopolize the remaining fuel.

2- Regulating consumption: Imposing specific quotas for individuals and institutions to ensure the continuity of public services such as hospitals and security.

3- Price control: Preventing any sudden jumps in fuel costs that could lead to a popular uprising.

The presidential statement said these measures are primarily aimed at “mitigating the disruptions, managing fair consumption, and ensuring the continuity of public services,” warning that energy shortages could lead to “public unrest” that the country does not want to slip into again.

The specter of protests and military intervention

The current declaration of a state of emergency cannot be read in isolation from Madagascar’s recent history. Last year, persistent shortages of electricity and water led to a massive youth-led wave of protests that quickly escalated into a major political crisis that ended with the army seizing power and changing the political leadership.

According to reports, the current government, headed by Randrianirina, is fully aware that the long fuel queues that stretched for hours on Wednesday, and the panic buying witnessed at the stations, are a spark that could ignite the street again. Therefore, the declaration of a state of emergency is a political message before it is an economic measure, indicating that the state is in control.