In all my 15 years living in Mahajanga I have never seen the the rise of gangs till the last three weeks.
Gangs of boys from ages 11 to 20 years old are attacking neighborhoods. It is various groups of gangs of boys that travel in a pack of 25 to 50 boys. The figure is that some 150 boys are attacking in different groups. They raid Businesses, people on street and now some private schools report as of today that they are closed because of the attack of boys attacking students and teachers and stealing and hurting who ever they can with knives, sticks, chains and even guns. They stop cars and tuk tuk at night by setting up tables on the road. The police have yet to get involved but I assume some action will be taken soon because the Presidents of neighborhoods are starting to speak out.  Be careful if you are in Mahajanga.