Madagascar

 

 Country Profile

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic) is an Island Country located in the Indian Ocean  off the southeastern coast of Africa. 

Madagascar is the world's 4th biggest island (after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo)

Madagascar's 6 administrative provinces were subdivided into 22 Regions in 2004 which are are further subdivided into 119 districts.

Capital                 Antananarivo

Currency                             Malagasy Ariary

Official Language                 Malagasy

Population                           21 Million(2011 Estimate)

Flag of Madagascar 

 

 

 

 

 

History

France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War. France annexed Madagascar in 1896 and dissolved the 103-year-old Merina monarchy, sending the royal family into exile on Reunion Island and in Algeria.

Malagasy Uprising of 1947 led the French to establish reformed institutions under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully towards independence.The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on Oct 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community.

A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960 .Philibert Tsiranana became Madagascar's 1st President and he was in office during June 26,1960 to Oct 11,1972

In Oct 1972 Tsiranana dissolves government amidst popular unrest and hands power to army chief Gen Gabriel Ramanantsoa as head of a provisional government who was in office during the period Oct 11,1972 to Feb 05,1975.

Democratic Republic of Madagascar

In June 1975 Lieutenant-Commander Didier Ratsiraka is named head of state after a coup.The country is renamed the Democratic Republic of Madagascar and Ratsiraka is elected president for a seven-year term.He was in office during June 15,1975 to March 27,1993

 Republic of Madagascar

In 1992 under pressure of demonstrations, Ratsiraka introduces democratic reforms. A new constitution is approved by referendum .

In March 1993 Albert Zafy was elected President and was in office during March 27,1993 to Sep 05,1996.

In  Sep 1996 Albert Zafy was Impeached and Norbert Ratsirahonana was appointed as Interim President for a period of  Sep 05,1996 to Feb 09,1997.Ratsiraka voted back into office and he assumed office of President and was in office during the period Feb 09,1997 to July 05,2002.

 

Politics and Government

Madagascar is a Semi-Presidential Representative Democratic Republic, whereby the President of Madagascar is Head of State and the Prime Minister of Madagascar is Head of Govt and of a Pluriform  multi-party system.

The President is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term, renewable twice. The President appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and members of Parliament initiate legislation and the government executes it. The President can dissolve the National Assembly.

 President of Madagascar

 

Andry Nirina Rajoelina aged 35(DOB May 30,1974) is the current President in office from March 21,2009.He was the youngest Head of Government in Africa and the third youngest in the world, surpassed by PM of Montenegro,Igor Luksic, who is 2 years his junior, and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un, 10 years his junior.

Prime Minister of Madagascar 

 

Jean Omer Beriziky is the current PM in office from Nov 02,2011 

 Parliament of Madagascar

 

The Parliament is Bicameral - 

The National Assembly  has 160 members, elected for a four year term in single-member and two-member constituencies . 

The Senate has 90 members, 60 members elected for a six year term, 10 for each province by provincial electors, and 30 members appointed by the President .