Madagascar - News Archive

Madagascar government and minor parties agree to new election dates

Posted: 08/11/2010
Madagascar's government announced new election dates on Wednesday after negotiations with the country’s minor political parties. The three largest opposition parties, however, boycotted the discussions. Andry RAJOELINA, who ousted President Marc RAVALOMANANA with the assistance of the army, stated that presidential elections will be held in July 2011, and legislative elections in April 2011. The major opposition parties, however, are threatening to sit out any poll not organized by all major parties.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascan Junta Leader Announces New Elections

Posted: 05/20/2010
Madagascar (May 14, 2010). Madagascan junta leader Andry RAJOELINA announced last week that he will not run in the country’s next presidential election. In the same televised speech, he also presented a plan for returning Madagascar to constitutional rule. RAJOELINA proposed a national constitutional dialogue to take place in late May. Following this, a referendum will take place on August 12, legislative elections on September 30 and presidential elections on November 26. RAJOELINA took power in March 2009, when military leaders forced the resignation of President Marc RAVALOMANANA.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar: Rajoelina Not to Stand for President

Posted: 05/14/2010
After the recent deadlock in talks aimed at ending Madagascar's political crisis, and the constitution of a new civilian-military administration, the island's leader, Andry Rajoelina has announced in a surprise televised speech that he will not stand for the presidency.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Rajoelina 'will not run in polls'

Posted: 05/12/2010
Madagascar's leader Andry Rajoelina says he will not stand in elections this year, in a bid to end the country's political crisis.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Madagascar: New Deal Could Unblock Aid Pipeline

Posted: 08/10/2009
The new deal signed by Madagascar's feuding political rivals is reason for "cautious optimism", but 15 months is a long time to wait for fresh elections and the bigger prize of donor re-engagement.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar Political Rivals Agree to Power-Sharing Deal

Posted: 08/10/2009
If this agreement holds up, it will bring to an end seven violent months in which the president was overthrown by the mayor of the capital city, Antananarivo.

Read full story. Source: NYT > International

Madagascar: Ravalomanana Attends African Union Summit

Posted: 06/29/2009
Ousted former Madagascan President, Marc Ravalomanana, arrived in Libya on Sunday ahead of the 13th African Union Summit, where he will meet continental leaders to discuss the country's political crisis.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar: Dangerous Waiting Game for Deposed President

Posted: 06/08/2009
THE overheated suite in Johannesburg's northern suburbs had an artificial, fully furnished rental feel, the only homely touches the national flag behind the president's chair and the children's pram in the hallway.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar: Deposed President to Return?

Posted: 06/04/2009
Deposed Malagasy president Marc Ravalomanana will return to the country this month, his supporters have said.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar sentences ex-leader

Posted: 06/03/2009
A Madagascar court sentences ex-leader Marc Ravalomanana in absentia to four years in jail for alleged abuse of office.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Madagascar: U.S. Aid Program Terminated

Posted: 05/19/2009
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Acting Chief Executive Officer Rodney Bent announced today that the MCC Board of Directors, chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, has voted to authorize the termination of MCC's $110 million, five-year poverty reduction grant agreement, or compact, with Madagascar.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar's Leader Will Step Aside If Others Do

Posted: 05/14/2009
Madagascar junta leader Andry RAJOELINA said Wednesday that he will not run for President as long as three other former chiefs of state also do not. They include Didier RATSIRAKA, Albert ZAFY, and Marc RAVALOMANANA, currently in exile. RAJOELINA promised a presidential election in October 2010 after seizing power from RAVALOMANANA on March 10. RAVALOMANANA nonetheless says he will return to Madagascar presently.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar: Rajoelina Willing to Cede Power

Posted: 05/13/2009
The Malagasy leader who seized power two months ago has signaled that he is willing to give up control of the government.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Junta Agrees To Election By Year's End

Posted: 05/01/2009
Junta leader Andry RAJOELINA has agreed to hold elections by the end of 2009, according to African Union Special Envoy Ablasse OUEDRAOGO. RAJOELINA earlier had said there would not be a vote until 2011. Security forces nonetheless arrested opposition Prime Minster Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA at his hotel on Thursday. RAJOELINA ousted President Marc RAVALOMANANA with military backing in March.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar: South Africa Warns Ousted Leader

Posted: 04/30/2009
The South African government has cautioned deposed Malagasy leader Marc Ravalomanana against returning to his country, saying such a move would be "unwise, provocative and may even incite the deaths of many innocent people."

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Second Madagascar government named

Posted: 04/28/2009
Supporters of Madagascar's ousted President Marc Ravalomanana announce a new government, adding to confusion.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Madagascar: Ravalomanana Refuses to Share Power

Posted: 04/22/2009
The deposed president of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, has visited two Southern African capitals in his bid to be restored to power.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

African Union suspends Madagascar

Posted: 03/20/2009
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- The African Union on Friday suspended Madagascar from the continental body, saying the replacement of the island nation's president by an army-backed politician constitutes a coup....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

Madagascar President Resigns; Opposition Rival Takes Power

Posted: 03/19/2009
Madagascar's President Marc RAVALOMANANA resigned his office and fled the presidential palace on Tuesday, after weeks of bitter political clashes and protests in the capital city of Antananarivo turned deadly. RAVALOMANANA, who had previously vowed never to give up power without an election or referendum, was quickly replaced by his chief rival, Andry RAJEOLINA, who RAVALOMANANA had sacked from his post as mayor of Antananarivo just two months earlier. In stepping down, RAVALOMANANA issued a decree to transfer power to a military board led by the country's highest-ranking military officer, a navy admiral, to govern the country and prepare for new elections. However, siding with the opposition, the country's army and paramilitary gendarmerie rejected this arrangement and handed power to RAJOELINA. The following day, Madagascar's constitutional court ruled the Army's transfer of power to RAJEOLINA was legal and declared him the country's rightful interim ruler, despite the fact that RAJEOLINA, 34, is six years short of the constitutional requirement that presidents be at least 40 years of age. On his first day in office, RAJEOLINA disbanded Madagascar's parliament, and promised to hold new presidential and parliamentary elections within two years. RAJEOLINA rose to prominence as a DJ and media mogul before being elected as the capital city's mayor. After RAVALOMANANA sacked RAJEOLINA from his post in January, the former mayor led seven weeks of bitter street protests against the RAVALOMANANA government that resulted in over 120 deaths.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar court backs handover

Posted: 03/18/2009
Madagascar's highest court approves interim leader Andry Rajoelina's takeover, but an African neighbour cries foul.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Madagascar: Confusion As President Quits

Posted: 03/18/2009
After weeks of political tension, Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana yesterday stepped down, dissolved the government and handed power to the military, but the military refused to hold on to power. It would rather have the opposition leader Andry Rajoelina rule the country.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar: Africa Condemns Military Handover of Power

Posted: 03/18/2009
As military leaders anointed opposition leader Andry Rajoelina as Madagascar's new leader, African governments condemned the ousting of President Marc Ravalomanana as the product of unconstitutional action against a democratically-elected head of state.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar president 'to resign'

Posted: 03/17/2009
Madagascar's President Ravalomanana is to stand down, paving the way for his rival Andry Rajoelina to take power.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Madagascar: Besieged President to Resign

Posted: 03/17/2009
The besieged Malagasy president, Marc Ravalomanana, appeared headed out of office on Tuesday after opposition leader Andry Rajoelina took over a presidential palace which soldiers loyal to him had seized overnight.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar: Opposition Calls For Arrest of President

Posted: 03/16/2009
Madagascar's opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina, is ratcheting up pressure to oust President Marc Ravalomanana, spurning a suggestion that support for the government be tested in a referendum.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

More powers for Malagasy leader

Posted: 04/11/2007
Voters in Madagascar overwhelmingly back constitutional changes giving more powers to the president.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Malagasies approve referendum to extend presidential powers

Posted: 04/11/2007
According to final official results released on April 11, 75.38% of Malagasies voted 'yes' on a referendum that gives President Marc RAVALOMANANA more powers if an emergency is declared. Voters also backed the introduction of English as third official language and a proposal to redefine the country's administrative divisions. Voter turnout was 43.72%.   

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar vote on leader's power

Posted: 04/04/2007
Madagascans are voting on constitutional changes which, if approved, would increase the president's powers.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Madagascar confirms poll result

Posted: 12/23/2006
Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana is confirmed as the winner of the recent election.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Madagascar: Ravalomanana Likely to Win Presidential Election

Posted: 12/12/2006
Provisional results show president Marc Ravalomanana has been re-elected in what observers have generally considered free and fair elections.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar leader is re-elected

Posted: 12/10/2006
Madagascar's Marc Ravalomanana is re-elected as president of the Indian Ocean island country.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Madagascar: Vote Count Under Way After Elections

Posted: 12/05/2006
Counting of votes has started in the 3 December Madagascar presidential elections and final results are expected within 20 days of receipt of the tally from the last polling station.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

First results from December 3 poll show president Ravalomanana in the lead

Posted: 12/05/2006
Early returns from the December 3 presidential election placed incumbent President Marc RAVALOMANANA well ahead of the other 12 candidates, winning 65% of the votes counted in a third of the districts. His nearest rival, former Minister Norbert Lala RATSIRAHONAN, trailed far behind with 10%. Final results are expected at least two weeks from now. If RAVALOMANANA fails to garner at least 50% of the vote, a run-off vote between the two leading candidates will be held in 30 days from the announcement of official results from the first round.�

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar leader ahead in vote

Posted: 12/04/2006
Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana is set to win re-election, early results from Sunday's poll suggest.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Madagascar leader ahead in vote

Posted: 12/04/2006
Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana is set to win re-election, early results from Sunday's poll suggest.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Madagascar leader ahead in vote

Posted: 12/04/2006
Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana is set to win re-election, early results from Sunday's poll suggest.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Support for Madagascar 'coup bid'

Posted: 11/23/2006
Eight candidates in Madagascar's presidential elections back an army general who staged an apparent coup attempt.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Overthrow urged in Madagascar

Posted: 11/18/2006
A Madagascar army general calls on the military to overthrow the president two weeks before the election.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Madagascar: 13 Candidates to Challenge Incumbent President Ravalomanana in Polls

Posted: 10/24/2006
Madagascar will complete southern Africa's 2006 calendar for presidential elections with its 3 December poll that has attracted 13 challengers to face incumbent President Marc Ravalomanana.

Read full story. Source: AllAfrica News: Latest

Madagascar exile out of elections

Posted: 10/18/2006
Madagascar's exiled opposition leader has his election candidature for December's polls rejected by the courts.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | Africa | UK Edition

Presidential election set for December 3 2006

Posted: 05/10/2006
Presidential elections are scheduled to take place on December 3, 2006, government leaders announced on May 10. The poll was moved ahead of the initially envisioned date at the end of December / beginning of January to avoid disruption of the poll by the inclement weather expected in that period.   

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar's TIM Party Expected to Secure Majority Vote for Parliamentary Elections

Posted: 12/16/2002
On December 15, voters were called to the polls to elect new members in Madagascar’s parliament.  More than 1,300 candidates competed for the 160 seats in the parliament.  Based on the latest polls, it is expected that President Ravalomanana’s party “I Love Madagascar” (TIM) would secure a majority of the votes.  The number of votes received in Madagascar’s 17,000 polling stations has not been tallied, and the government said that the official results might not be available until December 25.

Source: ElectionGuide

New Madagascar President Sworn in

Posted: 05/06/2002
Marc Ravolmanana was officially sworn in as president in Antananarivo on May 5, 2002.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar Announces Results of Presidential Election

Posted: 04/29/2002
The High Constitutional Court announced that opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana won the December 16, 2001 presidential election. Ravalomanana received 51.46% of the total ballots cast thereby defeating incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka, who received 35.9%. The recount indicated that of 10,259 polling stations, discrepancies occurred at 6,236.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar Announces Round Two of Presidential Election Postponed

Posted: 03/25/2002
President Didier Ratsiraka announced that the second round of presidential voting would be postponed from March 24, 2002 to April 28, 2002. The government declared a state of emergency after opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana declared himself President. Ravalomanana claims that he won the presidency outright in the first round of elections. Madagascar currently has two competing governments, one led by Ravalomanana and his supporters in Anantanarivo, and another led by Ratsiraka and his supporters in the main coastal town of Toasmasina.

Source: ElectionGuide

Self-Proclaimed President Takes Control Over Defense Ministry

Posted: 03/11/2002
Supporters of self-proclaimed President Marc Ravalomanana took over the Defense Ministry in Antananarivo on March 8, 2002. Supporters of Ravalomanana have now taken complete control of all ministries in Antananarivo. Incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka has established an alternative capital in Tamatave. Ravalomanana contends that he won the presidential election in the first round on December 16, 2001. Second round elections are scheduled for March 24, 2002.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar Declares State of Emergency

Posted: 02/25/2002
The government declared a state of emergency on Friday February 22, 2002 after opposition leader Marc Ravalomanana declared himself President during an inaugural ceremony. Ravalomanana claims that he won the presidency outright in the first round of elections and that incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka step down. The second round of elections is slated for March 24, 2002. The emergency declaration grants the police sweeping powers of arrest and bans demonstrations.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar Court Orders Run-Off Election

Posted: 01/25/2002
The country's High Constitutional Court has ordered a run-off election from the December 16, 2001 first-round presidential vote. Results issued by the National Electoral Commission showed opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana receiving 46.2% of the vote against 40.8% won by the incumbent, Didier Ratsiraka. The election is expected in the next two months.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar Court Orders Recount of Votes for Round One of Elections

Posted: 01/18/2002
The country's High Constitutional Court has ordered a recount of all votes in the December 16, 2001 first-round presidential vote. Provisional results issued by the National Electoral Commission showed opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana receiving 46% of the vote against 40% won by the incumbent, Didier Ratsiraka. Mr. Ravalmanana's supporters have argued that he won the election outright.

Source: ElectionGuide

Madagascar Announces Preliminary Results of Presidential Elections

Posted: 12/31/2001
Preliminary results show that Marc Ravalomanana (KMMR) has obtained 46.49% of the vote and incumbent president Didier Ratsiraka has won 40.64%. If the High Constitutional Court ratifies these results, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates.

Source: ElectionGuide

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