1990–1992 movement in Madagascar

1990–1992 protests in Madagascar (Fihetsiketsehana 1990–1992 teto Madagasikara) March 1990 – August 30, 1992 Madagascar Electoral fraud during elections Inspiration from the Revolutions of 1989 Resignation of President Didier Ratsiraka Fresh general elections Referendum to be held Protests suppressed by force Demands met in 1992 Demonstrations, Riots Deaths and injuries 130+ The 1990–1992 movement in Madagascar (Malagasy: Fihetsiketsehana 1990-1992 teto Madagasikara) 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.Analysis: Madagascar's massive protests February 5, 2002 BBC News https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1796082.stm Background Madagascar 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.Madagascar citizens force free elections, 1990-1992 12 October 2011 Nonviolent Database https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/madagascar-citizens-force-free-elections-1990-1992 Protests In March 1990, a coalition of trade unions and opposition groups known as Forces Vives under the leadership of Albert Zafy organized strikes in Antananarivo.Madagascar: Information on a general strike launched by the coalition of parties known as the Forces Vives 1 November 1994 RefWorld https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab738c.html 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.August 13, 1991 Deaths in Madagascar Unrest Put at 51 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/13/world/deaths-in-madagascar-unrest-put-at-51.html NewYorkTimes 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.August 11, 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. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-11-mn-785-story.html LosAnglesTimes 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,Madagascar: Timeline - A turbulent political history 17 March 2010 RefWorld https://www.refworld.org/docid/4ba3387b1e.html 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 Rotaka 2002 Malagasy political crisis 2009 Malagasy political crisis 2025 Malagasy protests References Category:1991 protests Category:1992 protests Category:Revolutions of 1989 Category:Labor disputes in Madagascar Category:History of Madagascar Category:Politics of Madagascar Category:Political history of Madagascar Category:1990 labor disputes and strikes Category:1990 protests