Politics and government

Madagascar was first sighted by the Portuguese in 1500. And after several failed attempts to establish settlements by the British and the French, the island became known as a refuge for pirates and slave traders by the early 1700s.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of the Merina kingdom and monarchy and, at the beginning of the 19th century, close ties with Britain led to its recognition as an independent state and the arrival of Christianity. Despite attempts by Queen Ranavalona in the mid-19th century to rid the country of Christianity, it returned after her death and became the official religion of Madagascar in 1869.

During this second half of the century ties with France also strengthened, and in 1883 the French attacked and occupied the main ports. The Franco-Malagasy war lasted 30 months and ended with Madagascar becoming a form of a French protectorate. By 1895 it had become a full protectorate, and in 1896 was made a French colony.

Immediately the French began dismantling the power of the Merina aristocracy and removing British influences. But during the Second World War it once again came under British protection until it was handed back to the Free French government in 1943.

In 1947 there was a bloody uprising against the French, but Madagascar remained a French colony until 1960 when it became a fully independent republic on 26th June. The first president of the newly independent Madagascar was Philipbert Tsiranana of the Democratic Social Party of Madagascar.

Despite independence, ties with France remained strong and Tsiranana’s government stifled opposition. In 1971 anti-tax demonstrations in Toliara turned into armed revolt where hundreds of peasants were killed and leaders of the demonstrations were exiled. The following year discontent rose again, with a general strike in Antananarivo and calls for all ties with France to be broken. By May 1972 a state of emergency was announced and the army was called in to restore order.

Until 1991, Madagascar was ruled by a series of military leaders and suffered continued discontent and political instability until, in October 1991, President Ratsiraka agreed to a transition to democracy and free multiparty elections. Elections were held in August 1992 and February 1993, and Albert Zafy, the leader of the main opposition parties, became the official president March 1993. Turning away from socialist allies of the last twenty years, Zafy approached western allies but economic, political and ethnic problems persisted while the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and foreign aid donors pushed for more economic reforms.

Finally in September 1996 Zafy was removed from power and in the elections that followed, Ratsiraka was returned to power in 1997. Again dictatorial powers were restored and Ratsiraka’s party remained in power until December 2001 when he was defeated in the first round of presidential elections by Marc Ravalomanana, the Mayor of Antananarivo. Ratsiraka refused to accept the election result but was forced to retreat when Ravalomanana refused a second round of elections.

Facts and figures

Government type Republic
Administrative divisions 6 Provinces - Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Independence 26th June 1960 (from France)
Constitution 19th August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system Based on French civil law and traditional Malagasy law
Voting age 18 years, universal
President Marc RAVALOMANANA
Flag Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green (bottom) with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Flag of Madagascar

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