Madagascan Democracy Movement

The Madagascan Democracy Movement was a social movement which aimed to overthrow Madagascar's authoritarian government and create a liberal democracy that began in 1989 and succeeded in 1991.

Background

Madagascar became independent from the French Empire in 1960 after nearly 70 years under French rule. The government quickly became an authoritarian socialist state that nationalised banks, mines, insurance companies in addition to carrying out repression and media censorship. By the 1980s the government reversed and carried out neoliberal reforms outlined by the IMF leading to even greater poverty and disease outbreaks (one malaria outbreak caused by a loss of funding for mosqutio nets in beds killed 10,000 people), with the government more or less abandoning entire towns.

Events

In 1989, people became fed up with the extreme poverty and undemocratic nature of the country. Riots broke out and 75 people were killed. In 1990, an activist named Albert Zafy formed an opposition coalition called Forces Vives comprised of 16 political opposition parties and socio-professional organizations. Their goal was to organize a series of mass strikes and protests to force the president out of office and usher in a new regime.

In May 1991, the Forces Vives orchestrated their first mass general strike against the government, temporarily crippling the economy, and in July mass demonstrations shook the nation. The year 1991 was dotted with civil service strikes and protests organized by the Forces Vives that involved indignant citizens from all over the country. The unrest was widespread and apparent, taking hold among the working class citizens of Madagascar, the politicians, and soon the military.

Massacre

The popular discontent with the regime took a new significance on August 10, 1991, when the Forces Vives organized a massive, peaceful march to the President’s Palace. Between 100,000 and 400,000 people (in a country of 11 million) marched demanding the president step down from office to give way to a multiparty political system. When the activists reached the palace they were confronted by the presidential guard whose methods of dispersal proved fruitless until they opened fire with guns and grenades into the crowd. Between ten and twenty people were killed and many more were wounded. Shortly after the killings the Forces Vives orchestrated another massive strike against all banks, businesses, and public agencies; the Forces Vives maintained the widespread strike through August. In addition, local demonstrations and protests continued during the strike. In response to the August 10th killings, the anti-government protesters gained an ally in the National Council of Christian Churches, which threw its support behind the protesters when their attempts to mediate the situation failed.

Results

In 1991 it was announced by the government that Madagascar would democratise, with elections in 1992 which were multi-party and judged to be fair. Since then, Madagascar has been a stable democracy. However, it is one of the poorest countries in the world and still sees issues with child labor, human trafficking and violence against women.

References

Global Nonviolent Action Database - Madagascar citizens force free elections, 1990-1992