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Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis

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Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis Madagascar’s 2009 Political Crisis Lauren Ploch Analyst in African Affairs May 18, 2009 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R40448 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Madagascar’s 2009 Political Crisis Summary Political tensions on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar between President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital city, escalated in early 2009, culminating in the President’s forced removal from office. In preceding weeks, over 135 people had been killed in riots and demonstrations. Under intensifying pressure from mutinous soldiers and large crowds of protestors, Ravalomanana handed power to the military on March 17, 2009. The military then transferred authority to Rajoelina, who has declared a transitional government. Days prior to President Ravalomanana’s resignation, the U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar had expressed concern that the country could face civil war; some believe that may still be a possibility. Rajoelina’s “inauguration” as president of the transitional authority was followed by days of protests by thousands of supporters of Ravalomanana. Several more recent demonstrations have led to violent clashes with security forces. The political uncertainty has strained relations between international donors and Madagascar, which was the first country to sign a U.S. Millennium Challenge Account compact, worth an estimated $110 million. Following coups in Mauritania and Guinea in 2008, the African Union, the United States, and the European Union, among others, warned against an unconstitutional transfer of power on the island nation and have threatened sanctions and a suspension of foreign aid. The African Union and the Southern African Development Community have suspended Madagascar until constitutional order is restored. Congressional Research Service Madagascar’s 2009 Political Crisis Contents Overview ....................................................................................................................................1 Recent Developments..................................................................................................................1 The Military Takes Sides.......................................................................................................2 The Transitional Authority Plans New Elections....................................................................4 Mediation Efforts and International Reactions.......................................................................4 Background ................................................................................................................................5 Politics........................................................................................................................................5 The Ratsiraka Government....................................................................................................5 The 2001 Election and the Post-Election Crisis of 2002.........................................................5 The Ravalomanana Government ...........................................................................................6 Tensions between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina Build...........................................................7 The Economy..............................................................................................................................7 U.S. Relations with Madagascar..................................................................................................8 Figures Figure 1. Map of Madagascar......................................................................................................2 Contacts Author Contact Information ......................................................................................................10 Congressional Research Service Madagascar’s 2009 Political Crisis Overview Political tensions on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar between President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital city, escalated in early 2009, culminating in the President’s forced removal from office. In preceding weeks, over 135 people had been killed in riots and demonstrations. Under intensifying pressure from mutinous soldiers and large crowds of protestors, Ravalomanana handed power to the military on March 17, 2009. The military then transferred authority to Rajoelina, who has declared a transitional government. Days prior to President Ravalomanana’s resignation, U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar Niels Maquardt had expressed concern that the country could face civil war; some believe the unrest may continue. 1 The political uncertainty has strained relations between international donors and Madagascar, which was the first country to sign a U.S. Millennium Challenge Account compact, worth an estimated $110 million. 2 Following coups in Mauritania and Guinea in 2008, the African Union (AU), the United States, and the European Union, among others, warned against an unconstitutional transfer of power on the island nation and have threatened sanctions and a suspension of foreign aid. The AU has suspended Madagascar from the regional body until constitutional order is restored, as has the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Recent Developments In December 2008, the Ravalomanana government closed a television station owned by Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina after it aired a speech by former President Didier Ratsiraka, who lives in exile in France. When Rajoelina’s radio station was closed a month later, he convened a public demonstration to demand the stations’ reopening, accusing President Ravalomanana of corruption and authoritarianism. According to press reports, as many as 40,000 people may have attended the rally, which was followed by several days of rioting. The 34-year- old Rajoelina, a former disk jockey, has claimed that his stations were closed as part of a politically-motivated campaign against him by the President. Rajoelina, widely known as “Andry TGV,” after the high-speed rail service in France, is a successful media entrepreneur. TGV also stands for the politician’s movement, Tanora malaGasy Vonona (Young Malagasies Determined). Rajoelina defeated President Ravalomanana’s candidate in the December 2007 mayoral elections with 63 percent of the vote. 1 “Madagascar on the Verge of Civil War, U.S. Ambassador Warns,” The Guardian (London), 12 March 2009. 2 Established in 2002, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) is a major U.S. foreign assistance initiative managed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). It provides assistance, through a competitive selection process, to developing nations that are pursing political and economic reforms in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom. Congressional Research Service 1 Madagascar’s 2009 Political Crisis Figure 1. Map of Madagascar Source: LOC Ravalomanana removed Rajoelina from office on February 3, 2009, after the mayor declared that he was taking over the government and announced a parallel cabinet.3 His bid to impeach Ravalomanana was rejected by the constitutional court.4 Rajoelina has proposed a transitional government to lead the country until the constitution can be rewritten and elections held, within two years. He reportedly took refuge at the French Embassy in February to avoid arrest but continued to call for the President’s impeachment and arrest. In response, Ravalomanana, who was expected to run for re-election when his term expired in 2011, publicly acknowledged that his government had made mistakes during the crisis and proposed a nationwide referendum to determine whether he would stay in office. Rajoelina rejected the proposal. The Military Takes Sides Madagascar’s military has historically maintained its neutrality during political confrontations. During the latest tensions, the armed forces repeatedly pledged to protect the civilian population and maintain the rule of law, but in early 2009 appeared to increasingly support Rajoelina. The 3 Under Malagasy law, the President can dismiss elected officials who fail to fulfill their mandate. 4 The court ruled that the power to impeach the President lay with the legislature rather than the judiciary. Congressional Research Service 2 Madagascar’s 2009 Political Crisis military police have actively supported the former mayor and several army units mutinied in early March.5 On March 10, a group of soldiers reportedly forced the resignation of the defense minister, who had only been in office one month. His predecessor resigned in protest in February 2008 after security forces fired on demonstrators at an opposition rally. At least 28 people were reportedly killed in the incident, and as many as 200 were wounded. Rajoelina’s supporters took to the streets at the end of the month in an effort to take control of government offices, throwing bricks and stones at security forces. On March 11, an army colonel, Andre Ndriarijaona, ousted the Army Chief of Staff after he allegedly warned that the army would intervene in the crisis if it were not resolved in 72 hours. Media reports of tanks deployed on March 13 in and around the capital city, allegedly to prevent the President from employing mercenaries to protect his regime, heightened concerns of a possible military coup d’état.6 Rajoelina emerged from hiding to speak at a rally on March 14, again calling for President Ravalomanana’s arrest. He was joined by National Assembly president Jacques
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