The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Madagascar at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and crime.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

Review OSAC’s Madagascar webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information.

Crime Threats

There is serious risk from crime in Antananarivo. Accurate government statistics on crime rates are not available. Most crimes coming to the attention of the Embassy involving U.S. citizens are thefts and personal robberies. Skilled pickpockets are very active in downtown Antananarivo. They primarily target purses, jewelry, or mobile phones for financial gain; there have been no reports of the reuse of stolen identification.

Reports of more serious crimes (home invasions) involving U.S. citizens is increasing, especially in areas with limited police/gendarme presence. While there were numerous reports of residential break-ins and home invasions in recent years, the majority appear to involve Malagasy households. The U.S. Embassy has received an increasing (though still relatively small) number of reports of physical attacks, armed robberies, and home invasions against foreigners, particularly in Antananarivo, other large cities, and coastal tourist areas. A number of these attacks resulted in serious injury/death to foreign nationals and to one U.S Embassy staff member in 2018. There have been allegations of security forces using official weapons to conduct home invasions and kidnappings, or loaning their weapons to criminal elements to do so.

The Embassy has noted several reports of highway banditry. These incidents generally involve several armed individuals operating in rural areas at night.

Criminal elements are becoming bolder when selecting their victims. They are committing more crimes in well-illuminated and -traveled areas. Avoid all non-tourist areas at night.

There are reports that a wide range of mid- and senior-level military and government officials are involved in illegal activities, including cattle rustling in the south and smuggling natural resources (e.g. precious hardwood, gems, gold, endangered animals).

Other Areas of Concern

In Antananarivo, large crowds have formed near the Presidential Palace, along Avenue de l’Independance, and near Lake Behoririka. The 67th Hectare is the site of Malagasy-on-Malagasy violence from time to time and can be dangerous.

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Road conditions range from minimally acceptable to terrible. Authorities in Antananarivo maintain roads relatively well, except during the rainy season, when large potholes are unattended until the rains subside. Power and phone lines may block roads or intersections for days/weeks. Drivers compete with pedestrians, cattle, human-propelled carts, scooters, and taxi-be buses, any of which may swerve/stop at a moment’s notice. Certain roads in Antananarivo have restrictions on tractor-trailers during the day; these trucks must use the roads at night, and do not always follow the traffic rules. The roads in most other major cities show signs of wear, including potholes and other obstructions. Consider driving four-wheel-drive vehicles, especially outside major cities. Nighttime driving is hazardous; the Embassy prohibits its personnel from driving at night outside of the major cities. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s reports Driving Overseas: Best Practices and Road Safety in Africa.

Many vehicles do not meet minimal safety standards and lack working lights. Accidents, while frequent, are usually not fatal, unless scooters/motorbikes are involved. There is minimal medical care available, especially outside city centers.

Remain aware of the potential for mob violence and popular justice directed at foreign nationals. Street altercations and traffic accidents can draw large, and sometimes, violent crowds. Exercise caution and calm if you find yourself in a dispute, particularly in a public place. U.S. citizens who feel threatened by large crowds should seek intervention from local law enforcement and contact the U.S. Embassy immediately.

Sidewalks are rare, and roads are hazardous for foot travel due to swerving vehicles and uneven surfaces. There are no pedestrian crossing signs or designated pathways, and crossing any street involves an element of risk. Pedestrian injuries are common.

Traffic law enforcement consists of stationary police, typically wearing a white shirt or camouflage uniforms with grey (National Police) or red (Gendarmerie) berets, randomly flagging down vehicles for inspection and verification of identification documents. Traffic enforcement is an opportunity to solicit bribes.

Public Transportation Conditions

The reliability, safety, and availability of taxis in Antananarivo is limited. Do not enter cabs without door locks or non-securable windows. Select taxis from illuminated areas, ensure that taxis have a minimum of safety equipment, negotiate the rate before departure, do not enter a taxi that already has other people in it, and do not enter any taxis unless you feel comfortable with the driver. The U.S. Embassy prohibits its employees from using taxi-be multi-passenger taxi vans. Public transportation vehicles are often still in motion as passengers enter/exit.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Madagascar has taken steps in recent years to improve security at some of the international airports (Ivato-TNR, Amborovy/Mahajanga-MJN, Toliara/Tulear-TLE) where contractor-conducted passenger screening appears thorough. At other international airports, passenger screening is more limited, and passengers may not be subject to screening at all.

Smuggling of gold, live animals, and natural resources occurs via the international airports; airport security personnel are frequently complicit in the facilitation of smuggling.

RSO has noted an increase in reporting on checked luggage stolen from Ivato Airport. Criminals appear to target domestic flights, simply grabbing luggage from off the luggage conveyor belt and exiting the airport. If confronted, they claim they have made a mistake and return the luggage.

For more information, review OSAC’s report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is minimal risk from terrorism in Antananarivo. In 2015, authorities arrested an ISIS sympathizer in Antananarivo subsequently released him.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

There are some disagreements between the Malagasy and French government, primarily over the ownership of several uninhabited islands to the west of Madagascar. In Antananarivo, there have been several demonstrations by various Malagasy groups at/near the French Embassy, but there has not been any associated violence.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Antananarivo. Madagascar has a history of cyclical coups d'état, some of which toppled sitting governments. Most of the regime changes were peaceful by most standards, but all involved a certain degree of political instability, most notably in 2009. Occasionally, unconfirmed rumors claim that anti-government elements are seeking to destabilize the government. The political opposition is composed of small political players who lack the ability to rally the population in support of their cause, and the major political opponents who could draw people into the streets prefer to let the government continue in power for now.

The 2013 polls were fair and transparent. In 2015, the Prime Minister stepped down voluntarily, and the President named a new prime minister and government. Only eight ministers from this government were new, reflecting stability between the first and second year of the government’s tenure. In 2016, the President reshuffled his cabinet again. In April 2018 and continuing for several months, large demonstrations in Antananarivo protested the adoption of new and unpopular election laws. During the first day of demonstrations, violence erupted between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in two civilian deaths. Since that day, those protests remain non-violent and with minimal intervention from security forces. Presidential elections in November and December 2018 included various political rallies with minimal violence.

Civil Unrest

In 2016, sporadic violent clashes between government security forces and armed cattle rustlers (dahalos) occurred in the south, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The government increased its security presence throughout these regions, and specifically in key towns/villages near where the dahalos traditionally operate. These incidents occurred mostly in rural areas, but several clashes garnered a lot of public and media attention.

Avoid any large crowds, public gatherings, or demonstrations. These scenarios have the potential to become unruly, which could result in serious physical injury.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Cyclones (hurricanes) originating from the Mozambique Channel or the Indian Ocean commonly come ashore in Madagascar. In addition, flooding and droughts, neither of which are uncommon, presage other environmental issues (e.g. spread of disease, locust swarms). Embassy personnel are encouraged to keep a supply of water/food in their homes, as most businesses close in anticipation of the storms, and supplies become scarce very quickly during emergencies.

In 2017, Madagascar experienced two earthquakes with the larger being a 5.5.

Critical Infrastructure

Weak legislation, poor law enforcement, large geography, dilapidated infrastructure, lack of capacity/resources, and widespread corruption (including alleged involvement of government officials) have made Madagascar a safe haven for illegal activities and businesses, including wildlife trafficking, deforestation, and illegal fishing.

There is very limited industry, although there has been modest growth in the mining sector, along with unregulated growth in the illegal mining sector.

The electrical power in Antananarivo frequently goes out, sometimes for several hours. The local power company has limited ability to address the issue, and the government has not shown the political will to address the inherent problems -- by reigning in corruption within the company or by taking steps to bring more users into the paying customer base.

Economic Concerns

The U.S. Embassy has received some reports that the government uses software without appropriate intellectual property rights (IPR). More broadly, public markets openly display pirated movies and music for sale.

Personal Identity Concerns

Consensual same-sex sexual relations are illegal under the age of 21. Malagasy law contains no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT persons. Although the U.S. Embassy is not aware of any recent arrests or prosecutions, penalties can include imprisonment and fines.

Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from that commonly provided in the United States. Entering/exiting public transportation is precarious, and not accommodating of passengers with disabilities. Public spaces are not wheelchair accessible.

Although the Malagasy constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination, to include race, gender, disability, language, and social status, no specific government institutions enforce these provisions.

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnappings for ransom is an issue for wealthy Malagasy, the Indo-Pakistani community, and, on rare occasion, expatriates. These kidnappings usually end with a paid ransom and the safe release of the victim. The vast majority of the victims have been affluent locals or their children, especially within the Malagasy Indo-Pakistani business community. Most of the kidnappings relate to business deals or local politics. Since 2008, there have been over 110 reported kidnappings.

In 2017, a U.S. citizen of Indo-Pakistani descent visiting family was the subject of an attempted kidnapping believed to have been a crime of opportunity, and not specific targeting. The kidnappers were unsuccessful due to the quick evasive actions of the victim’s chauffer.

In 2018, five out of nine armed kidnappings took place within one mile of the popular expatriate residential area of Ivandry in Antananarivo. For more information, review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Police Response

Due to the lack of resources and equipment, police/gendarmerie response to victims of a crime is often limited, slow, or nonexistent. This is primarily due to the lack of staffing, training, and funding, and reflects broader economic deterioration. The likelihood of the security forces responding to an incident depends on availability of personnel and gasoline for vehicles. Most police officers only speak Malagasy or minimal French, and rarely English.

Carry your passport with you, as police can detain individuals for being unable to identify themselves properly. In the past, police have not accepted U.S. driver’s licenses or copies of passports as proper identification, resulting in detention until authorities could verify identification and status in the country.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

The Embassy has received reports of police harassment -- primarily solicitations for bribes related to traffic stops or while walking in public areas. Police occasionally use reasons such as stopping people in vehicles for incorrect data or visa paperwork as leverage to obtain bribes, but in some reported cases, the police simply ask for a cadeaux (gift). Do not tolerate harassment. The U.S. Embassy recommends not paying any bribes, and reporting incidents to the Consular Section immediately. In the event of police detention, contact the Consular Section immediately at 020-23-480-00 or 033-443-2000, or the duty officer at +261 34 49 328 54.

Police/Security Agencies

In major cities, the National Police are responsible for maintaining peace and security; outside of major cities, the Gendarmerie take on these responsibilities. Although police/gendarmerie normally take seriously and deal quickly with incidents involving foreigners, there are reports indicating a failure of law enforcement to respond when called.

Police: 117

Fire: 118

Reach the police in Antananarivo at 020-22-227-35 and 020-22-281-70.

Medical Emergencies

Ambulance services are available in Antananarivo with Assistance Plus (Tel: 032-07-801-10 or 020-22-487-47); Polyclinique d’Ilafy (Tel: 020-22-425-66 or 033-11-458-48); Espace Medical (Tel: 020-22-625-66); or Centre de Diagnostic Medical d’Urgences (Tel: 020-22-661-04). However, due to traffic jams, response times are often dangerously slow.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For medical assistance, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Available Air Ambulance Services

Assistance Plus (032-07-801-10) is the most reliable air ambulance company located close to the airport. It has its own planes and can quickly evacuate to Reunion Island or South Africa. It can visit a tourist in their hotel room to assess and stabilize them with 24/7 coverage until the patient recovers or can be evacuated. It can facilitate rescues from any part of the country.

Insurance Guidance

Travelers should enter Madagascar with medical evacuation (medevac) insurance. Hospitals require payment up front, usually in cash, for medical services. Many will refuse service without advance payment. For more information, refer to OSAC’s report, Medical Evacuation: A Primer.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Madagascar.

OSAC Country Council Information

There is no Country Council in Antananarivo. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Lot 207 A, Point Liberty, Andranoro-Antehiroka, Antananarivo (105)

Monday-Thursday, 0800-1600; Friday, 0800-1300

Operator: 020-23-480-00 or 033-443-2000

RSO: 034-117-5369 x 2206

American Citizen Services (after hours number/Duty Officer): 020-23-480-00 or 034-49-328-54

Marine Post One: 020-23-480-00 or 033-443-2407

Fax: 020-23-480-35

Website: http://mg.usembassy.gov/

U.S. Embassy Antananarivo also handles American Citizen Services for the Union of the Comoros and the French protectorate of Mayotte.

Embassy Guidance

All Americans in Madagascar should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). The U.S. Embassy maintains liaison with local law enforcement officials and is available to assist American citizens during their stay.

Madagascar Country Specific Information