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Madagascar’s President Steps Down and African Union Suspends Madagascar
By Heather Konjura
April 2, 2009 | Printer Friendly

On Tuesday, March 17, Madagascar’s President, Marc Ravalomanana, resigned and handed control of the government to the military, which then passed the power to his archrival, Andry Rajoelina.  Mr. Ravalomanana, who was democratically elected president in 2001 and reelected in 2006, resigned the morning after the military stormed an unoccupied ceremonial presidential palace and after months of opposition-led protests. 

This change in power raises many uncertainties with respect to Madagascar’s constitution.  The Wall Street Journal writes that Madagascar's constitution recognizes only elected governments and requires presidents to be at least 40 years old.  Mr. Rajoelina is only 34 years old.  Regardless, on Wednesday, Madagascar’s Top Court declared Mr. Rajoelina as president.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the clash between the two men is largely personal.  Mr. Rajoelina used the television station he owned to blast the president for allegedly misusing government funds and undermining democracy.  Shortly afterward, Mr. Ravalomanana shut down Mr. Rajoelina’s television station.  The New York Times writes that in late January, Mr. Rajoelina began a string of protests in an attempt to have Mr. Ravalomanana step down from office.  During a time when Mr. Ravalomanana seemed to have the upper hand, he fired Mr. Rajoelina as mayor of Antananarivo and offered to hold a referendum to end the crisis, but Mr. Rajoelina refused.  

Reuters writes that on Monday, March 30, Southern African leaders suspended Madagascar from the African Union, a 15-nation regional bloc, and called on its army-backed president to step down.  The Associated Press writes that Tomaz Salomao, executive director of the southern African group, said the summit urged Mr. Rajoelina "to vacate the office of the president as a matter of urgency, paving the way for unconditional reinstatement of President Ravalomanana."

Reuters writes that Mr. Rajoelina says his priority will be to address social needs in Madagascar and has promised new presidential elections within two years.  Reuters further writes that after recent coups in Mauritania and Guinea, the killing of Guinea-Bissau's leader, and this occurrence in Madagascar, further doubts are raised over the durability of democracies elsewhere in Africa.

Sources:

The Wall Street Journal – Madagascar's Army Puts Opposition in Charge

The New York Times – Madagascar’s President Quits After Weeks of Chaos  

The New York Times – Soldiers in Madagascar Occupy Vacant Palace in a Show of Force

Reuters – Opposition leader takes power in Madagascar

The Associated Press – Madagascar's Top Court Accepts Change of President

Reuters – Madagascar Is Assailed

Associated Press – Southern African Group Suspends Madagascar