Crisis Chronology | Madagascar

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MADAGASCAR

12/01/2023

Constitutional Court affirms Rajoelina’s reelection despite low turnout.

11/27/2023

Rajoelina reelected

Rajoelina wins 58.9% of the vote. Turnout was only 46% after opposition boycott and the opposition refuse to recognize the result.

11/17/2023

Election commission reports that turnout in the voting was about 39%. Results are expected 11/25.

11/14/2023

Major opposition politicians refuse to participate in the election and call on voters to boycott it as well.

10/22/2023

Madagascar’s opposition parties, the "Collective of Eleven," hold a rally of 50,000 people to protest what they call an “illegitimate” election process ahead of general elections in November. Last month, the country’s constitutional court dismissed appeals to have President Andry Rajoelina’s candidacy declared void over his dual French nationality, angering opposition. They say the electoral process is being orchestrated to ensure the victory of Rajoelina. The election will be held 11/16 after being delayed one week by the courts.

09/14/2023

Opposition parties denounce what they say is an "institutional coup" after the prime minister, was put in charge of the nation in the run-up to a presidential election.

09/08/2023

Constitutional Court dismisses objections from the opposition that Rajoelina's candidacy be declared invalid "for lack of Malagasy nationality" because he was naturalized French in 2014, which would bar him from holding office or being a candidate for an election. The court ruled the appeals "inadmissible." Rajoelina ceased to exercise power over the weekend, as provided for by the Constitution during campaigns. The President of the Senate, who was to act as interim president, cited "personal reasons" and left the reins to a "collegial government" led by the Prime Minister, Christian Ntsay, an ally of Rajoelina.

07/11/2023

Government sets voting for presidential election for November 9 with a second round on December 20 if necessary.

08/30/2022

After more than a dozen attacks, abductions, and murders of albinos over the last two years, a large protest is held against the police. When the protestors try to enter the police station, the police open fire, killing 18 and wounding many more.

04/06/2022

As the country struggles to recover from multiple hurricanes and storms, the government freezes the prices of essential goods such as sugar, flour, rice, oil, gas, and cement.

12/07/2021

Trial of alleged masterminds of coup plot begins. They include two Frenchmen: Paul Rafanoharana, 58, a dual French-Malagasy national who is a former advisor to the president, and Philippe Francois, 54, an ex-colonel in the French army. Rafanoharana was arrested on 7/20/21.

09/03/2021

UN report says that Madagascar faces the first climate-induced famine. The country has suffered drought for four years.

07/01/2021

Disastrous food shortages. US and South Korea pledge aid.

06/26/2021

Police say they have foiled an assassination plot against General Richard Ravalomanana.

12/03/2020

Famine in the south after years of drought.

10/19/2020

Government ends state of emergency imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, airports remain closed.

05/20/2020

Government signs confidentiality clause with World Health Organization to support clinical observations of the supposed cure for COVID-19, CovidOrganics. Madagascar has 370 cases and 2 deaths.

04/21/2020

Government launches a possible cure for COVID-19 based on artemisia, a plant used to fight malaria, called COVID-organics. It will be distributed free and is said to both prevent and cure the disease, though not rigorous trials have been performed.

04/26/2019

Rajoelina delays constitutional referendum after a court issues an unfavorable evaluation of its provisions.

04/21/2019

Rajoelina calls a constitutional referendum 5/27 to eliminate the Senate and increase powers of regional government, a pledge he made during his first presidential campaign. It is the same day as regional elections.

03/18/2019

Cyclone Idai causes widespread death and destruction in Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

03/11/2019

Only 88 candidates have registered for the 151 seats in the Madagascar assembly.

01/09/2019

Rajoelina victory affirmed

Rajoelina certified winner of the election by the Supreme Court.

01/04/2019

Third day of protests over elections results and alleged fraud by supporters of Ravalomanana. Constitutional Court is reviewing Ravalomanana’s petitions for election review.

12/29/2018

Parliament cuts the prime minister’s budget and threatens to do the same to ministers. Sirisena allies boycott the vote. The speaker of parliament has still not recognized either Rajapaska or Wickremesinghe.

12/24/2018

Election commission announces that Rajoelina wins the election with 54% of the vote to 46% for Ravalomanana, who rejects the results and calls for investigation.

12/21/2018

Rajoelina has 54% of the vote and Ravalomanana 45% with about a quarter of the vote counted. Turnout is about 50%. Final results are due 1/9/19.

12/19/2018

Run-off for president.

11/28/2018

Constitutional Court confirms a runoff 12/19 between Rajoelina (39%) and Ravalomanana (35%). Turnout was 53%. Ravalomanan withdraws his legal challenge to the vote about fraud.

11/16/2018

With most votes counted, Rajoelina has 39% of the vote and Ravolomanana 34%. A run-off vote will be held 12/19/18.

11/11/2018

Early returns give Rajoelina a lead over Ravalomanana, 41% to 36%, but a runoff seems likely. Rajaonarimampianina has only about 7%.

11/01/2018

Constitutional Court approves thirty-six candidates from presidential election 11/7, including current Pres Hery Rajaonarimampianina, and former presidents Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana. A run-off would take place on 12/19.

09/14/2018

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina transfers power to Vice-President Riko Rakotovao. The constitution requires the president to step down if he or she wants to run for a second term.

06/29/2018

Ntsay schedules new elections, the first round on 11/7/18 and the second on 12/19/18.

06/05/2018

Rajaonarimampianina appoints Christian Ntsay, local head of International Labor Organization, prime minister to head “consensus” government and organize new elections.

06/01/2018

Defense Minister Beni Xavier Rasolofonirina threatens army intervention if the current political crisis continues. Negotiations between the government and the opposition are stalled.

05/31/2018

Rajaonarimampianina asks the Constitutional Court to clarify its order of 5/25.

05/25/2018

Constitutional Court orders Rajaonarimampianina to dissolve the government and appoint a new consensus prime minister and a government that reflects the 2013 election.