Madagascar’s High Constitutional Court has approved a historic law transferring pre-independence, foreign-held land titles back to state ownership.
Under the new legislation, any property registered under foreign settlers before June 29, 1960, will revert to government control.
Exemptions apply strictly to diplomatic properties, foreign settlers who acquired Malagasy citizenship, and lands legally transferred to local citizens prior to independence.
The decision marks the successful end of a decade-long legal battle.
The Court previously rejected a 2015 attempt to transfer these territories to private individuals as unconstitutional, forcing officials to pivot toward state ownership instead.
This legislative milestone coincides with ongoing diplomatic negotiations between President Andry Rajoelina and French President Emmanuel Macron over the disputed, resource-rich Scattered Islands.
Unresolved since the 1970s, the islets represent a vital geopolitical frontier in the Indian Ocean.
Reclaiming these colonial holdings is expected to stimulate the national economy by expanding local agriculture, attracting new infrastructure investment, and opening fresh trade avenues.
However, implementation challenges remain as the government prepares to publish the law and conduct a comprehensive land census.
While potential allocation risks lie ahead, Madagascar’s bold legal victory signals a decisive assertion of sovereignty that sets a compelling precedent for post-colonial land reform across the African continent.