Democratic Republic of Madagascar
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Democratic Republic of Madagascar | |||||||||
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| 1975–1992 | |||||||||
 Emblem | |||||||||
| Anthem: President | | ||||||||
• 1975–1992 | Didier Ratsiraka | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1976 | Joel Rakotomalala | ||||||||
• 1991–1992 | Guy Razanamasy | ||||||||
| Legislature | Popular National Assembly | ||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
• Established | 30 December 1975 | ||||||||
| 12 January 1992 | |||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
| 1975[1] | 587,040 km2 (226,660 sq mi) | ||||||||
| 1992[2] | 587,040 km2 (226,660 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Population | |||||||||
• 1975[1] | 7,568,577 | ||||||||
• 1992[2] | 12,596,263 | ||||||||
| Currency | Malagasy franc (MGF) | ||||||||
| Calling code | 261 | ||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | MG | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Madagascar | ||||||||
| History of Madagascar |
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The Democratic Republic of Madagascar (
History
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Establishment (1975)
Early years (1975–1982)
Several early policies collectively decided by Ratsiraka and other members of the SRC set the tone of the revolution from above. The first major SRC decision was to bring the French-held sectors of the economy
Political consolidation proceeded apace following the addition of ten civilians to the SRC in January 1976. This act constituted the beginning of a civil-military partnership in that the SRC became more representative of the country's major political tendencies and
Ratsiraka and Arema had the most influence. In the fokonolona elections held in March 1977, Arema won 90 percent of 73,000 contested seats in 11,400 assemblies. In June 1977, Arema won 220 out of a total of 232 seats in elections for six provincial general assemblies, and 112 out of a total of 137 seats in the Popular National Assembly. Ratsiraka's 1977 cabinet contained Arema members in 16 of 18 ministerial posts.
In 1978, the government was confronted with growing popular disenchantment. As early as September 1977, anti-government protests erupted in
Decline and dissolution (1989–1992)
Widespread initial enthusiasm for Rasiraka's socialist revolution from above had secured him nearly 96 percent of the popular vote in the
Discontent with the Ratsiraka government heightened on 10 August 1991, when more than 400,000 citizens engaged in a march on the President's Palace with the intention of overthrowing the Ratsiraka government and installing a new multi-party political system. The country already faced an economy crippled by a general strike that had begun in May, as well as a divided and restless military whose loyalty no longer could be assumed. When the Presidential Guard allegedly opened fire on protesters and killed and wounded hundreds, a crisis of leadership occurred.
The result of these events was Ratsiraka's agreement on 31 October 1991 to support a process of democratic transition, complete with the formulation of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair multiparty elections. Albert Zafy, the central leader of the opposition forces and a côtier of the Tsimihety ethnic group, played a critical role in this transition process and ultimately emerged as the first president of Madagascar's Third Republic. The leader of the Comité des Forces Vives (Vital Forces Committee, known as Forces Vives), an umbrella opposition group composed of sixteen political parties that lead the 1991 protests, Zafy also emerged as the head of what became known as the High State Authority, a transitional government that shared power with the Ratsiraka government during the democratisation process.
See also
References
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Country Studies. Federal Research Division.
 Years in Madagascar (1960–present) | |
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