The 1990–1992 movement in Madagascar (Malagasy: Fihetsiketsehana 1990-1992 teto Madagascar) was a period of widespread popular unrest in Madagascar between March 1990 and August 1992. It began as a wave of strike action against the autocratic regime of President Didier Ratsiraka and culminated in the promulgation of a new constitution and a period of democratic transition leading to Ratsiraka handing the Presidency to opposition leader Albert Zafy in March 1993.[1]
| 1990–1992 protests in Madagascar (Fihetsiketsehana 1990–1992 teto Madagascar) | |
|---|---|
| Date | March 1990 – August 30, 1992 |
| Location | |
| Caused by |
|
| Goals |
|
| Methods | Demonstrations, Riots |
| Resulted in |
|
| Deaths and injuries | |
| Death(s) | 130+ |
Background
editMadagascar gained its independence from French colonialism in 1960 after nearly 70 years under French rule. Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka was sworn into office on December 21, 1975, after a military coup ousted president Philibert Tsiranana, who had been in office since 1959.
In his first term as president, Ratsiraka nationalized Madagascar’s banks, insurance companies and mineral resources, following a socialist model that was wrought with censorship and government repression. By the late 1980's Ratsiraka’s socialist regime had impoverished Madagascar. Even though the regime had made concessions to adopt the free market reforms outlined by the IMF, poverty and repression drew fast growing voices of opposition.[2]
Protests
editIn March 1990, a coalition of trade unions and opposition groups known as Forces Vives under the leadership of Albert Zafy organized strikes in Antananarivo.[3] Their goal was to force the resignation of Ratsiraka and his government. Protesters were inspired by the Revolutions of 1989, which had brought down autocratic regimes in Eastern Europe the previous year.[4]The demonstrations continued for more than a year before reaching their peak in early summer 1991 with daily protests demanding Ratsiraka step down.
On 10 August 1991, police killed between 31 and 130 demonstrators during a march on the Presidential Palace.[5] In August, Forces Vives called a general strike against the newly-appointed government under Prime Minister Guy Razanamasy on account of Ratsiraka's refusal to include opposition leaders. Civil service trade unions maintained the strike for four months.
In October, Ratsiraka agreed to a power sharing arrangement with opposition leader Albert Zafy, who became head of a provisional government known as the High Authority of the State,[6] stripping Ratsiraka of much of his power.
On 19 August 1992 a new constitution implementing a semi-presidential system was put to a referendum and approved with 72% of the vote. The new constitution provided for a bicameral legislature and put limits on the powers of the President.
In presidential elections in November, Zafy won 45% of the vote, with Ratsiraka in a distant second place. In the runoff in February 1993, Zafy won more than two thirds of the vote, assuming office in March. Parliamentary elections in June produced a supermajority for the opposition parties, though Zafy's UNDD won only two seats.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Analysis: Madagascar's massive protests". BBC News. February 5, 2002.
- ^ "Madagascar citizens force free elections, 1990-1992". Nonviolent Database. 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Madagascar: Information on a general strike launched by the coalition of parties known as the Forces Vives". RefWorld. 1 November 1994.
- ^ "Deaths in Madagascar Unrest Put at 51". NewYorkTimes. August 13, 1991.
- ^ "10 Killed as Madagascar Troops Fire on Protesters : Unrest: Hundreds are reported injured in the most violent incident in 10 weeks of protests on the island". LosAnglesTimes. August 11, 1991.
- ^ "Madagascar: Timeline - A turbulent political history". RefWorld. 17 March 2010.