On 22 September 2016 in Soamahamanina, security forces dispersed a community protest against a mining project with gas tears. Then two leaders of the VONA Association which gathers the representatives of the affected communities have been arrested. We call for the immediate release of these two leaders, Pierre Robison and Tsihoarana Andrianony…

The Jiuxing Mines SARL company has been issued a mining operating license for 40 years for gold, zinc, lead and berillium in Soamahamanina…This has provoked community protests…since the beginning of 2016…[T]his mining project…brought about strong opposition from the people who are living in the area and reinforced their determination to defend their land, living spaces, natural resources, livelihoods, tombs, and to protect a church and a school from their planned destruction. The…large majority of the affected population has not been consulted or has refused the mining project…19 July 2016, the China Embassy in Madagascar and the Government Council decided to suspend the activities of the Jiuxing Mines SARL company…

Collective TANY calls on citizens all over the world to demand:
- the immediate release from prison of Pierre Robison and Tsihoarana Andrianony,
- the end of any form of repression against the popular movement,
- and satisfying responses to the demands of the majority of the local population.