Madagascar: Crime threatens biodiversity.
Madagascar’s new president, Andry
Rajoelina, was elected on a promise to
improve living standards for the millions
who live in poverty (1). To achieve this
goal, he must address the declining rule
of law. Madagascar fell eight places in the
Rule of Law Index between 2016 and 2018
(2), and it is 155th of 180 countries listed
in the Corruption Perceptions Index (3).
Weak governance slows development by
reducing the willingness of citizens and
foreign companies to invest (4). Since
his election, President Rajoelina has
expressed a desire to make Madagascar
a model of conservation and a destina-
tion for ecotourism (5). The solutions
to the country’s poverty—strengthening
Madagascar’s government and reducing
crime—are also key to turning around the
country’s precipitous loss of biodiversity.