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2009 Malagasy political crisis

The 2009 Malagasy political crisis began on 26 January 2009 with the political opposition movement led by Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina, which sought to oust President Marc Ravalomanana from the presidency. The crisis reached its climax in the 2009 Malagasy coup d'état[2] when Andry Rajoelina was declared the president of the High Transitional Authority of Madagascar on 21 March 2009, five days after Ravalomanana transferred his power to a military council and fled to South Africa.

The international community immediately condemned the leader and his ascension as unconstitutional, characterising the move as a coup. Financial support and foreign investments stopped, and the country fell into one of the worst economic crises in its history. The SADC and the African Union were designated to supervise Madagascar's political reinstatement.


Though the objective of the transitional government was to run presidential elections as soon as possible to relieve the tensions (despite regular delays), its major challenge was to establish an agreement among Madagascar's four key political factions (Rajoelina, Ravalomanana, Zafy and Ratsiraka), some of which were skeptical of the transitional government. On 11 December 2010, a new constitution was formally approved, launching the Fourth Republic. On 28 October 2011 a consensus Prime Minister, Omer Beriziky, was appointed. Presidential and parliamentary elections were scheduled for 8 May and 3 July 2013 and eventually held in December.

Unity government deal[edit]

On 7 November 2009, the leaders agreed to a power-sharing deal in which Rajoelina stays as president, creation of two co-presidents, Fetison Rakoto Andrianirina, aide to former President Ravalomanana and Emmanuel Rakotovahiny, aide to former President Zafy. Prime Minister Eugene Mangalaza who was appointed on 10 October will be retained heading the 31-member cabinet. The deal also creates a 65-member council of transitional advisers and a transitional parliament composed of 258 members.[116]

's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon said that Madagascar's recent political actions are illegal and "anti-democratic".[131] Canada supports a peaceful and democratic resolution with help from the international community.[131]

Canada

's Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg called the removal of Ravalomanana a "coup d'état".[132]

Czech Republic

's President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Madagascar to hold elections "as soon as possible" to end the "coup d'état".[133] Sarkozy criticized the decision to dismiss Madagascar's parliament.[133] Asserting that Ravalomanana should be kept safe, Sarkozy offered that "if he needs to be put on trial, he should be."[133]

France

condemned the violent transfer of power, urging democracy to return immediately.[134] Germany said that street protests are not a democratic method of changing the government.[135]

Germany

's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing "concern" that the governmental transition is "inconsistent with the ordinary constitutional procedures amid the political turmoil that has involved civilians".[136] Japan "strongly expects" that democracy and constitutional order returns "at the earliest opportunity".[136] Japan also urges that peace and the safety of civilians be upheld.[136]

Japan

's president Muammar al-Gaddafi telephoned Rajoelina immediately after Rajoelina took power to say that Libya would recognize Rajoelina's government.[137]

Libya

's ambassador to the United Nations, Claude Heller, said that it was "very clear that there was an unconstitutional coup" and said that elections were the only way to move Madagascar forward.[138]

Mexico

's Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said that Nigeria urges "a restoration of constitutional order", calling the opposition forces "illegal and unconstitutional" and their actions "unacceptable".[139]

Nigeria

's Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim said that "there is an urgent need for a democratic solution to the current situation in Madagascar. The country is moving towards an economic disaster. I am deeply concerned about the people of the country".[140]

Norway

's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is "concerned by the increased frequency of attempts on the African continent to resort to non-constitutional methods of solving internal political problems." He went on to say that, in addition to increasing economic and social problems, the use of force is of concern and runs counter to democratic principles, whilst affirming Russia's support of the African Union's position.[139][141]

Russia

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that South Africa would support "pressure", possibly including sanctions, and the "non-recognition" of Rajoelina's government by the Southern African Development Community.[2]

South African

's King Mswati said that Rajoelina's rise to power was unconstitutional and "violates basic principles, protocols and treaties".[142]

Swaziland

's Foreign Office Minister Mark Malloch Brown said he "condemn[s] unreservedly the unconstitutional, undemocratic and apparently coerced transfer of power from President Ravalomanana to Andry Rajoelina. These events are tantamount to a coup d'état."[143] He urges a peaceful, constitutional, and democratic resolution.[143]

United Kingdom

State Department spokesman Robert Wood said "The United States is deeply concerned by the recent political violence in Madagascar".[144] He advised the Malagasy people to use restraint and sort out differences by process of dialogue.[144] Wood later confirmed that the State Department believes that "recent political developments in Madagascar constitute an undemocratic transfer of power".[145] On 20 March, Wood said that the United States "condemns the process" of Ravalomanana's removal and Rajoelina's takeover, calling it "undemocratic and contrary to the rule of law".[146] United States Ambassador to Madagascar R. Niels Marquardt described a "climate of insecurity" in Madagascar.[147] Marquardt said that Madagascar would be likely be deemed ineligible for the trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act if it did not hold elections by the end of 2009.[147]

United States

's Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande called Andry Rajoelina's coming to power in Madagascar "a setback and danger to the entrenchment of democracy and constitutional rule on the continent which should not be allowed to take root.[148] " Zambia has also led the call for economic sanctions against Madagascar and suspension of the country from the SADC and AU.

Zambia

issued a statement regarding the events of 16 March, stating "The situation in Madagascar is an internal conflict. It is an attempted coup d'état. We condemn the attempted coup d'état. We ask the people of Madagascar to do everything consistent with their constitution."[149] Madagascar's membership in the African Union was later suspended.[150] The African Union threatened to expel Madagascar from the organization, and warned of the possibility of sanctions.

African Union

issued a statement that it was "seriously concerned about the situation of instability and uncertainty currently prevailing in Madagascar. The European Commission calls on all parties in Madagascar to ensure calm and invites them to participate immediately in a broader dialogue."[151]

European Commission

President Theo-Ben Gurirab said he strongly condemns the "coup d'état" in Madagascar,[152] saying that any unconstitutional action overthrowing a government is fundamentally flawed and completely unacceptable.[153] The Inter-Parliamentary Union suspended the membership of the parliament of Madagascar.[152][154]

Inter-Parliamentary Union

refused to recognize Rajoelina's presidency because "his appointment does not only violate the constitution of Madagascar, but also international principles, like the SADC, AU and United Nations protocols."[155] The SADC "strongly condemns in the strongest terms the circumstances that led to the ousting of a democratically elected president of Madagascar."[155] The SADC says that elections should be held within six months, rather than twenty-four months as proposed by Rajoelina.[156] The SADC suspended Madagascar's membership until it restores constitutional order, and it urged Rajoelina to step down so that Ravalomanana could be reinstated as president.[157] If Rajoelina does not comply with its decisions, the "SADC shall in collaboration with the African Union and the United Nations consider other options to restore constitutional normalcy."[157] On 1 April, Madagascar withdrew its membership in the SADC.[158] A delegation from the SADC visited Madagascar on 20 April, and another delegation visited on 23 April.[159]

South African Development Community

Ban Ki-moon called on the Malagasy Government to give absolute priority to protection of the general population. He expressed concern about "the serious unrest" and the deaths.[160] Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios said that the United Nations urges "quick and inclusive elections" to return to a constitutional government in a process decided upon by the current and former governments.[138]

United Nations Secretary-General

Ratsimbaharison, Adrien (2017). The Political Crisis of March 2009: A Case Study of Conflict and Conflict Mediation. Lanham, Boulder, New York, London: Rowman & Littlefield.  978-1-4422-7235-4.

ISBN

Hauge, Wenche (2011). "Madagascar between peace and conflict—domestic capabilities for peaceful conflict management". Conflict, Security & Development. 11 (5): 509–531. :10.1080/14678802.2011.641768. S2CID 143925968.

doi

Maunganidze, Ottilia (2009). (PDF). Institute for Security Studies.

"Madagascar: Anatomy of a Recurrent Crisis"

Ploch, Lauren (2009). (PDF). Congressional Research Service.

"Madagascar's 2009 Political Crisis"

(video) – BBC News

Madagascar delivers plea on aid shipments