Madagascar
GANG INFORMATION
PROFILE
OFFICIAL NAME:
Republic of Madagascar
Geography
Area: 592,800 sq. km. (228,880 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Antananarivo (pop. about 1,300,000). Other cities--Antsirabe
(about 500,000), Mahajanga (about 400,000), Toamasina (about 450,000).
Terrain: Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain.
Climate: Moderate interior, tropical coasts.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Malagasy.
Population (2004, World Bank estimate): 18,100,000.
Annual population growth rate (2004, World Bank): 2.7%.
Ethnic groups: 18 Malagasy tribes; small groups of Comorians,
French, Indians, and Chinese.
Religions: Traditional beliefs 47%, Christian 45%, Muslim 7%.
Languages: Malagasy (official), French.
Education: Years compulsory--5. Attendance--65%. Literacy--70.7%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--76/1,000. Life expectancy--55 yrs.
Work force (2000): 8 million. Agriculture--80%; industry--7%.
Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: June 26, 1960.
Constitution: Entered into force in March 1998.
Branches: Executive--president, prime minister, cabinet. Legislative--National
Assembly and Senate. Judicial--Supreme Court, High Court of Justice,
Constitutional High Court.
Subdivisions: Six autonomous provinces (faritany).
Political parties: Eight parties won seats in the December 2002
National Assembly elections. The ruling party I Love Madagascar
(TIM) holds a solid majority of seats; others holding seats include
Be Judged by Your Work (AVI), Rally for Social Democracy (RSPD),
Pillar and Podium for the Development of Madagascar (AREMA), Militants
for the Development of Madagascar (MFM), Reflection and Action
Group for Development in Madagascar (GRAD-Iloafo), Economic Liberalism
and Democratic Action for Reconstruction Party (LEADER-Fanilo),
and the regional party For A Mature Tamatave. There also dozens
of minor parties.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
National holiday: June 26.
Economy
GDP (U.S.$, 2004): $4.4 billion.
GDP per capita (World Bank Country Assistance Strategy): $240.
Unemployment: no reliable data available.
Natural resources: Graphite, chrome, coal, bauxite, ilmenite,
nickel, gold, tar sands, semiprecious stones, and hardwoods.
Agriculture (28.8% of GDP, 2004, World Bank data): Products--rice,
livestock, seafood, coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton, sisal,
peanuts, and tobacco.
Industry (16% of GDP, 2004, World Bank data): Types--processed
food, clothing, textiles, mining, paper, refined petroleum products,
glassware, construction, soap, cement, tanning.
Trade: Exports (2003, f.o.b. $852 million): apparel, shrimp, vanilla,
coffee, cloves, graphite, essential oils, industrial minerals
and gemstones. Major export markets--U.S., France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, EU. Imports (2003, c.i.f.) $1.3 billion-$1.464 billion:
foodstuffs, fuel and energy, capital goods, vehicles, consumer
goods and electronics. Major suppliers--France, China, Hong Kong,
Belgium, U.S.
PEOPLE AND HISTORY
Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African
origin. Recent research suggests that the island was uninhabited
until Indonesian seafarers arrived in roughly the first century
A.D., probably by way of southern India and East Africa, where
they acquired African wives and slaves. Subsequent migrations
from both the Pacific and Africa further consolidated this original
mixture, and 18 separate tribal groups emerged. Asian features
are most predominant in the central highlands people, the Merina
(3 million) and the Betsileo (2 million); the coastal people are
of more clearly African origin.
The largest coastal groups are the Betsimisaraka (1.5 million)
and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (700,000 each).
The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally
spoken throughout the island. French is spoken among the educated
population of this former French colony. English is becoming more
widely spoken, and in 2003 the government began a pilot project
of introducing the teaching of English into the primary grades
of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide.
Most people practice traditional religions, which tend to emphasize
links between the living and the dead. They believe that the dead
join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors
are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants.
The Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or "turning
over the dead" celebrate this spiritual communion. In this
ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped
in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive
ceremonies in their honor.
About 45% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly
between Roman Catholic and Protestant. Many incorporate the cult
of the dead with their religious beliefs and bless their dead
at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites.
They also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana. While many
Christians continue these practices, others consider them to be
superstitions that should be abandoned. Many of the Christian
churches are influential in politics. In the coastal regions of
the provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Muslims
constitute a significant minority. Muslims are divided between
those of Malagasy ethnicity, Indo-Pakistanis, and Comorians.
The written history of Madagascar began in the seventh century
A.D., when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest
coast. European contact began in the 1500s, when Portuguese sea
captain Diego Dias sighted the island after his ship became separated
from a fleet bound for India. In the late 17th century, the French
established trading posts along the east coast. From about 1774
to 1824, it was a favorite haunt for pirates, including Americans,
one of whom brought Malagasy rice to South Carolina.
Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing
hegemony over the major part of the island, including the coast.
In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius
concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been
important in Madagascar's economy. In return, the island received
British military and financial assistance. British influence remained
strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was
converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and Anglicanism.
The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate
over Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar
(now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of
spheres of influence in the area. Absolute French control over
Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-96, and the
Merina monarchy was abolished.
Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during World
War I. After France fell to the Germans, the Vichy government
administered Madagascar. British troops occupied the strategic
island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the Japanese. The Free
French received the island from the United Kingdom in 1943.
In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a nationalist uprising
was suppressed after several months of bitter fighting. The French
subsequently established reformed institutions in 1956 under the
Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully
toward independence. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October
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.
GOVERNMENT
In March 1998, Malagasy voters approved a revised Constitution.
The principal institutions of the Republic of Madagascar are a
presidency, a parliament (National Assembly and Senate), a prime
ministry and cabinet, and an independent judiciary. The president
is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term, renewable
twice.
The National Assembly consists of 160 representatives elected
by direct vote every 5 years. The last election was held in December
2002. The Senate consists of 90 senators, two-thirds elected by
local legislators and other Grand Electors and one-third appointed
by the president, all for 6-year terms. A prime minister and council
of ministers carries out day-to-day management of government.
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. For its part, the National Assembly can pass
a motion of censure and require the prime minister and council
of ministers to step down. The Constitutional Court approves the
constitutionality of new laws.
Territorial administration is to be determined by legislation.
In an effort to decentralize administration, the Constitution
calls for the six provinces (faritany) to become autonomous. The
six provinces are Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Antsiranana, Toamasina,
Fianarantsoa, and Toliary.
Principal Government Officials
President--Marc Ravalomanana
Prime Minister--Jacques Sylla
President of the Senate--Guy Rajemison Rakotomaharo
President of National Assembly--Jean Lahiniriko
Minister of Defense--General Petera Behajaina
Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget--Benjamin Radavidson Andriamparany
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marcel Ranjeva
Minister of Transport and Public Works--Roland Randimampionona
Minister of Decentralization and Territorial Administration--Angelin
Randrianarison
Minister of Justice--Lala Henriette Ratsiharovala
Ambassador to the U.S.--Narisoa Rajaonarivony
Ambassador to the UN--Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy
Madagascar maintains an embassy in the United States at 2374
Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-265-5525).
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Madagascar's first President, Philibert Tsiranana, was elected
when his Social Democratic Party gained power at independence
in 1960 and was reelected without opposition in March 1972. However,
he resigned only 2 months later in response to massive antigovernment
demonstrations. The unrest continued, and Tsiranana's successor,
Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa, resigned on February 5, 1975, handing
over executive power to Lt. Col. Richard Ratsimandrava, who was
assassinated 6 days later. A provisional military directorate
then ruled until a new government was formed in June 1975, under
Didier Ratsiraka.
During the 16 subsequent years of President Ratsiraka's rule,
Madagascar continued under a government committed to revolutionary
socialism based on the 1975 Constitution establishing a highly
centralized state. National elections in 1982 and 1989 returned
Ratsiraka for a second and third 7-year presidential term. For
much of this period, only limited and restrained political opposition
was tolerated, with no direct criticism of the president permitted
in the press.
With an easing of restrictions on political expression, beginning
in the late 1980s, the Ratsiraka regime came under increasing
pressure to make fundamental changes. In response to a deteriorating
economy, Ratsiraka relaxed socialist economic policies and instituted
some liberal, private-sector reforms. These, along with political
reforms like the elimination of press censorship in 1989 and the
formation of more political parties in 1990, were insufficient
to placate a growing opposition movement known as Hery Velona
or "Active Forces." A number of already existing political
parties and their leaders, among them Albert Zafy and Rakotoniaina
Manandafy, anchored this movement which was especially strong
in Antananarivo and the surrounding high plateau.
In response to largely peaceful mass demonstrations and crippling
general strikes, Ratsiraka replaced his prime minister in August
1991 but suffered an irreparable setback soon thereafter when
his troops fired on peaceful demonstrators marching on his suburban
palace, killing more than 30.
In an increasingly weakened position, Ratsiraka acceded to negotiations
on the formation of a transitional government. The resulting "Panorama
Convention" of October 31, 1991, stripped Ratsiraka of nearly
all of his powers, created interim institutions, and set an 18-month
timetable for completing a transition to a new form of constitutional
government. The High Constitutional Court was retained as the
ultimate judicial arbiter of the process.
In March 1992, a widely representative National Forum organized
by the Malagasy Christian Council of Churches (FFKM) drafted a
new Constitution. Troops guarding the proceedings clashed with
pro-Ratsiraka "federalists" who tried to disrupt the
forum in protest of draft constitutional provisions preventing
the incumbent president from running again. The text of the new
Constitution was put to a nationwide referendum in August 1992
and approved by a wide margin, despite efforts by federalists
to disrupt balloting in several coastal areas.
Presidential elections were held on November 25, 1992, after
the High Constitutional Court had ruled, over active forces objections,
that Ratsiraka could become a candidate. Runoff elections were
held in February 1993, and the leader of the Hery Velona movement,
Albert Zafy, defeated Ratsiraka. Zafy was sworn in as President
on March 27, 1993. After President Zafy's impeachment by the National
Assembly in 1996 and the short quasi-presidency of Norbert Ratsirahonana,
the 1997 elections once again pitted Zafy and Ratsiraka, with
Ratsiraka this time emerging victorious. A National Assembly dominated
by members of President Ratsiraka'a political party AREMA subsequently
passed the 1998 Constitution, which considerably strengthened
the presidency.
In December 2001, a presidential election was held in which both
major candidates claimed victory. The Ministry of the Interior
declared incumbent Ratsiraka of the AREMA party victorious. Marc
Ravalomanana contested the results and claimed victory. A political
crisis followed in which Ratsiraka supporters cut major transport
routes from the primary port city to the capital city, a stronghold
of Ravalomanana support. Sporadic violence and considerable economic
disruption continued until July 2002 when Ratsiraka and several
of his prominent supporters fled to exile in France. In addition
to political differences, ethnic differences played a role in
the crisis and continue to play a role in politics. Ratsiraka
is from the coastal Betsimisarka tribe and Ravalomanana comes
from the highland Merina tribe.
After the end of the 2002 political crisis, President Ravalomanana
began many reform projects, forcefully advocating "rapid
and durable development" and the launching of a battle against
corruption. December 2002 legislative elections gave his newly
formed TIM (Tiako-i-Madagasikara--I Love Madagascar) Party a commanding
majority in the National Assembly. November 2003 municipal elections
were conducted freely, returning a majority of supporters of the
president, but also significant numbers of independent and regional
opposition figures.
Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial
governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales).
Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to
decentralize administration. In September 2004, the government
named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President,
to implement its decentralization plans. Financing and specific
powers for the regional administrations remain to be clarified.
ECONOMY
Structural reforms began in the late 1980s, initially under pressure
form international financial institutions. An initial privatization
program (1988-1993) and the development of an export processing
zone (EPZ) regime in the early 1990s were key milestones in this
effort. A period of significant stagnation from 1991-96 was followed
by 5 years of solid economic growth and accelerating foreign investment,
driven by a second wave of privatizations and EPZ development.
Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak
and perceived corruption in Madagascar was extremely high. During
the period of solid growth from 1997 through 2001, poverty levels
remained stubbornly high, especially in rural areas. A six-month
political crisis triggered by a dispute over the outcome of the
presidential elections held in December 2001 virtually halted
economic activity in much of the country in the first half of
2002. Real GDP dropped 12.7% for the year 2002, inflows of foreign
investment dropped sharply, and the crisis tarnished Madagascar's
budding reputation as an AGOA standout and a promising place to
invest. Following resolution of the crisis, the economy rebounded
with GDP growth of over 9% in 2003. Currency depreciation and
rising inflation in 2004 hampered economic performance; although
final figures are not yet available, growth for the year is estimated
to be 5%, with 15% inflation.
Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted
to set a new course and build confidence, in coordination with
international financial institutions and the donor community.
Madagascar developed a recovery plan in collaboration with the
private sector and donors and presented it at a "Friends
of Madagascar" conference organized by the World Bank in
Paris in July 2002. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence
in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over
five years. The Malagasy Government identified road infrastructure
as its principle priority and underlined its commitment to public-private
partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering
committee.
In 2000, Madagascar embarked on the preparation of a Poverty
Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) under the Heavily Indebted Poor
Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The boards of the IMF and World Bank
agreed in December 2000 that the country had reached the decision
point for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative and defined a
set of conditions for Madagascar to reach the completion point.
In October 2004, the boards of the IMF and the World Bank determined
that Madagascar had reached the completion point under the enhanced
HIPC Initiative.
The Madagascar-U.S. Business Council was formed in Madagascar
in 2002. The U.S.-Madagascar Business Council was formed in the
United States in May 2003, and the two organizations continue
to explore ways to work for the benefit of both groups.
The government of President Ravalomanana is aggressively seeking
foreign investment and is tackling many of the obstacles to such
investment, including combating corruption, reforming land-ownership
laws, encouraging study of American and European business techniques,
and active pursuit of foreign investors. President Ravalomanana
rose to prominence through his agro-foods TIKO company, and is
known for attempting to apply many of the lessons learned in the
world of business to running the government.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Madagascar, which has historically been perceived as on the margin
of mainstream African affairs, eagerly rejoined the African Union
in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus triggered by the 2002 political
crisis. From 1978 until 1991, then-President Ratsiraka emphasized
independence and nonalignment and followed an "all points"
policy stressing ties with socialist and radical regimes, including
North Korea, Cuba, Libya, and Iran. Taking office in 1993, President
Albert Zafy expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with
all countries. Early in his tenure, he established formal ties
with South Korea and sent emissaries to Morocco.
Starting in 1997, globalization encouraged the government and
President Ratsiraka to adhere to market-oriented policies and
to engage world markets. External relations reflect this trend,
although Madagascar's physical isolation and strong traditional
insular orientation have limited its activity in regional economic
organizations and relations with its East African neighbors. It
enjoys closer and generally good relations with its Indian Ocean
neighbors--Mauritius, Réunion, and the Comoros Islands.
Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany,
and Switzerland, as well as with Britain, Russia, Japan, India,
and China have been strong since independence.
President Ravalomanana has stated that he welcomes relations
with all countries interested in helping Madagascar to develop.
He has consciously sought to strengthen relations with Anglophone
countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French
influence.
U.S.-MALAGASY RELATIONS
Relations with the United States date to the middle 1800s. The
two countries concluded a commercial convention in 1867 and a
treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce in 1881. Traditionally
warm relations suffered considerably during the 1970s, when Madagascar
expelled the U.S. ambassador, closed a NASA tracking station,
and nationalized two U.S. oil companies. In 1980, relations at
the ambassadorial level were restored.
Throughout the troubled period, commercial and cultural relations
remained active. In 1990, Madagascar was designated as a priority
aid recipient, and assistance increased from $15 million in 1989
to $40 million in 1993. Recent U.S. assistance has contributed
to a population census and family planning programs; conservation
of Madagascar's remarkable biodiversity, private sector development,
agriculture, democracy and governance initiatives; and media training.
The Ravalomanana government is especially positive about ties
with the United States.
U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--James D. McGee
Deputy Chief of Mission--George Sibley
USAID Director--Henderson M. Patrick
Defense Attache--Catherine Ripley
Public Affairs Officer--Ellen Irvine
Consular Officer--David Jea
Political/Economic/Commercial Section Chief--Brian Neubert
Management Officer--Keith Heffern
Peace Corps Director--William Bull
The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar is located at 14, rue Rainitovo,
Antsahavola, Antananarivo (tel. 261-20-22-212-57, 033-44-22.000;
fax 261-20-345-39. The postal address is Ambassade Americaine,
B.P. 620, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides
Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements.
Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include
information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health
conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political
disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country.
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends
that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements
are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas
that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers.
Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau
of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system:
202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings
also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page:
http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication
series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning
a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may
be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202)
647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call
202-647-4000.
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department
of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S.
passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778).
Customer service representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are
available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time,
excluding federal holidays.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations
or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety
for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information
for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280)
is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.
Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency
and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest
to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a
country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country,
see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this
publication).
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous
areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s
travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov
or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in
a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of
their passports. This may help family members contact you in case
of an emergency.
Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.state.gov,
the Department of State web site provides timely, global access
to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background
Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key
officers of Foreign Service posts and more.
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance
and market information offered by the federal government and provides
trade leads, free export counseling, help with the export process,
and more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
provides authoritative economic, business, and international trade
information from the Federal government. The site includes current
and historical trade-related releases, international market research,
trade opportunities, and country analysis and provides access
to the National Trade Data Bank.
