Marc Ravalomanana

Marc Ravalomanana
President of Madagascar
In office 6 May 2002 – 17 March 2009
Prime Minister	Tantely Andrianarivo Jacques Sylla Jean-Jacques Rasolondraibe Jacques Sylla Charles Rabemananjara
Preceded by	Didier Ratsiraka
Succeeded by	Andry Rajoelina (as President of the High Transitional Authority)
Personal details
Born	12 December 1949 (1949-12-12) (age 61) Imerinkasinina, Madagascar
Political party	I Love Madagascar
Spouse(s)	Lalao Ravalomanana
Religion	Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar

Marc Ravalomanana (Malagasy [raˌvaluˈmananə̥]) (born December 12, 1949, in Imerinkasinina)^[1][2] is a Malagasy politician who was the President of Madagascar from 2002 to 2009. A member of the Merina ethnic group,^[1] Ravalomanana served as Mayor of Antananarivo before becoming President in 2002. He took office as President amidst a dispute over the results of the December 2001 presidential election in which he successfully pressed his claim to have won a majority in the first round. He was re-elected in December 2006, again with a majority in the first round.

Biography

Ravalomanana is known for his fervent Christian faith.^[3] He is at present the head layman of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), a Reformed Protestant church in Madagascar with 2.5 million adherents. In office, he has been outspoken about his religion and in 2005 he said that he "dream[s] of a Christian nation"; critics called this a violation of the constitution, which described the state as secular^[4] until a 2007 constitutional referendum removed that, along with other changes.

He claims also to be an avid farmer. Upon becoming president he set up a dairy farm and rice fields to be displayed on the property of the presidential palace in Iavoloha outside the capital.^{[citation needed]}

Three of his children have been married while he was in office. His eldest daughter runs the MBS media group which controls the second largest radio and television network in the country as well as a number of minor newspapers.^{[citation needed]}

His personal residence is in Faravohitra, a neighbourhood of the old city of Antananarivo.^{[citation needed]}

Political career

In the municipal elections held on November 14, 1999, Ravalomanana was elected as mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, receiving 45% of the vote^[2] and defeating former Prime Minister Guy Willy Razanamasy.^[5] As mayor he was credited with successfully cleaning up the capital.^[1][6] He announced on August 5, 2001 that he would run for President in the election to be held later that year on December 16;^[7][3] two months later, polls showed him to be ahead of the incumbent president, Didier Ratsiraka. Following the election, official results put Ravalomanana in first place, with 46%, against Ratsiraka's 40%; without a majority, a run-off would be required between the two. Ravalomanana, however, claimed to have won a majority in the first round, and he refused to participate in a run-off, instead demanding that the High Constitutional Court review the votes. Ratsiraka's supporters then blockaded the capital, which Ravalomanana's supporters controlled. Ravalomanana declared himself president on February 22, 2002. After a recount, on April 29, 2002 the High Constitutional Court pronounced Ravalomanana the winner of the election, and he was sworn in for a second time on May 6. The Presidency remained disputed, however, until fighting forced Ratsiraka to flee into exile on July 5, 2002, after he had lost control of most of the country's provinces.^[3]

Ravalomanana is the founder of Tiako I Madagasikara, which was the ruling party during his presidency, although he is not currently a member because, as President, he was barred from membership in a political party.^[8]

Presidency

Ravalomanana is credited with improving the country's infrastructure, such as roads, along with making improvements in education and health, but has faced criticism for his lack of progress against poverty; purchasing power is said to have declined during his time in office.^[9][10] On November 18, 2006, his plane was forced to divert from Madagascar's capital during a return trip from Europe following reports of a coup underway in Antananarivo and shooting near the airport;^[11] however, this coup attempt was unsuccessful.

Ravalomanana ran for a second term in the presidential election held on December 3, 2006.^[12] According to official results, he won the election with 54.79% of the vote in the first round; his best results were in Antananarivo Province, where he received the support of 75.39% of voters.^[13] He was sworn in for his second term on January 19, 2007.^[14]

Ravalomanana dissolved the National Assembly in July 2007, prior to the end of its term, following a constitutional referendum earlier in the year. Ravalomanana said that a new election needed to be held so that the National Assembly would reflect the changes made in this referendum.^[15]

In December 2008 the major donors of Madagascar (IMF, World Bank, European Union, African Development Bank) suspended the disbursement of direct budget support due to budgetary misconduct mainly involving mixing the president's business interests with state interests.^[16]

Malagasy political crisis (2009)

Main article: 2009 Malagasy political crisis

On January 31, 2009, following a week of political protests in Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, then mayor of Antananarivo, announced he was taking control of the government saying a request would be put to parliament for Ravalomanana immediate resignation from the presidency, calling Ravalomanana a dictator, a scoundrel and a thief. ^[17] The African Union (AU) immediately warned Rajoelina that it would not accept an unconstitutional power grab in Madagascar: "It's totally forbidden to take power by non-constitutional means."^[18]

Ravalomanana responded by firing Rajoelina, citing a law which allows the government to remove officials who fail to do their job. This move, however, is considered not in line with the country's laws by constitutional lawyers,^[who?] but rather another sign of abuse of the president's executive powers to repress the mayor, who won a landslide victory in December 2007 against the President's candidate for the job of mayor of the capital.^[19] Several pleas by the churches, the Secretary General of the UN and the local diplomatic community to the President to begin a dialogue with his political opponent in order to find a peaceful solution to the political crisis were ignored.

On January 26, after the burning of his factory and his store by his opponents, many people were found to have been burnt to death. On February 7, 2009, an opposition rally was held with 20,000 in attendance. Following the lead of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina, the crowd started to march toward the president's office in downtown Antananarivo, even though that was commonly known as a red zone. As the demonstrators tried to enter the presidential palace the presidential guards opened fire, killing at least 30 people and leaving dozens injured.^[20] By doing so, Ravalomanana becomes the third president (after his predecessors Didier Ratsiraka^[21] and Philbert Tsiranana) in recent Malagasy history to allow the defence forces to shoot at the crowd. Afterwards, Ravalomanana addressed his people on national television urging them to remain calm.

There followed two weeks of extreme tensions between the two rival political camps in the capital – with Ravalomanana applying force based on the constitutional grounds of being the supreme leader of the armed forces. On March 10, army leaders forced the recently appointed defence secretary to resign (the previous one had decided to resign after the killings by the presidential guard on February 7, 2009). They also announced that they gave the opponents 72 hours to find a solution to the crisis through dialogue before they would take further action. This move came after the leaders of the main military camp had announced a day earlier that they would not execute orders coming from the presidency any more since their duty was to protect the people, and not to oppress them, as had been done over the previous few days.^[22][23]

Directly after the resignation of the defence secretary, Ravalomanana addressed the people. He accepted having made mistakes and promised to listen to the grievances of the protesters.^[24]

On March 16 the army seized the Ambohitsorohitra presidential palace in the centre of Antananarivo. Ravalomanana was not in the palace at the time.^[25]

Resignation from the Presidency

Some^[who?] thought that Ravalomanana resigned on 17 March 2009 after losing support of the military and under intense pressure from Rajoelina. In truth, Ravalomanana assigned his powers to a military council loyal to himself headed by Vice-Admiral Hyppolite Ramaroson.^[26] The military called the move by Ravalomanana a "ploy"^[26] and said that it would support Rajoelina as leader.^[27] Ravalomanana fled to Swaziland.^[28]

Rajoelina had already declared himself the new leader a month earlier and has since assumed the role of acting President. He has appointed Monja Roindefo as Prime Minister.^[29] Rajoelina announced that elections would be held in two years and that the constitution would be amended.^[27]

The European Union, amongst other international entities, has refused to recognise the new government, due to it being installed by force.^[30] The African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community both criticised the forced resignation of Ravalomanana.^[27] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson said he is "gravely concerned about the evolving developments in Madagascar".^[31]

Sentencing

President Ravalomanana was sentenced to four years in prison on 2 June 2009.^[28][32][33] The jail term was granted for an "alleged abuse of office" which, according to Justice Minister Christine Razanamahasoa, included the purchase of a presidential jet.^[28][32] The jet, said to be worth $60 million, was bought in December 2008.^[33] Razanamahasoa claimed Ravalomanana "mixed public interests with his personal interests".^[32] Ravalomanana was also fined $70 million (£42 million).^[32]

Ravalomanana was in exile in South Africa at the time.^[32] He had been prevented from returning to Madagascar the previous month.^[28] He had previously spent time in Swaziland.^[33]

On August 28, Ravalomanana was sentenced in absentia to hard labour for life for his role in the protests and ensuing deaths. An arrest warrant was issued for him and General Heriniaina Roelina and Colonel Anatole Ramlamboarison.^[34][35]

Honours

Awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean from the Republic of Mauritius and the Special class of the Grand Cross (Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2006.^[36]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Richard R. Marcus, "Political Change in Madagascar", Institute for Security Studies, ISS Paper 89, August 2004.
2. ^ ^{a b} "M. Marc RAVALOMANANA, Président de la République de Madagascar.", French presidency website (French).
3. ^ ^{a b c} Richard Cornwell, "Madagascar: Stumbling at the first hurdle?", ISS Paper 68, April 2003.
4. ^ "‘Christian dream’ of Madagascan leader irks critics", AFP (The Peninsula, Qatar), September 12, 2005.
5. ^ Chronology of events in Madagascar from 1995 to 2002, taniko.free.fr (French).
6. ^ Profile of Marc Ravalomanana, BBC News Online, March 11, 2002.
7. ^ Didier Mauro, "Inusable Ratsiraka.", Jeuneafrique.com, November 20, 2001 (French).
8. ^ "Le parti au pouvoir tient son congrès national", Xinhua (Jeuneafrique.com), May 22, 2008 (French).
9. ^ "Opinion divided over Ravalomanana", IRIN, December 1, 2006.
10. ^ "Voter apathy as election day approaches", IRIN, December 1, 2006.
11. ^ Johnny Hogg, "Madagascar general urges overthrow", BBC News, November 18, 2006.
12. ^ "Ravalomanana likely to win presidential election", IRIN, December 11, 2006.
13. ^ 2006 presidential election results from the High Constitutional Court (French).
14. ^ "Ravalomanana swears in as Malagasy President", Xinhua, January 19, 2007.
15. ^ "Madagascar leader dissolves parliament", AFP (IOL), July 24, 2007.
16. ^ "IMF blocks Madagascar dossier", (Express de Madagascar, in French), February 7, 2009.
17. ^ "Mayor 'in charge' of Madagascar". BBC. 31 January 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7862495.stm. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
18. ^ Malone, Barry (1 February 2009). "African Union warns Madagascar opposition leader". Reuters. http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUKL104503420090201. Retrieved 2009-02-01. 
19. ^ "Mayor who Tried to Supplant Madagascar's President is Fired", (New York Times), February 4, 2009.
20. ^ "Police 'kill many' in Madagascar". BBC News. 2009-02-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7876543.stm. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
21. ^ "About august 10th 1991 Mavoloha Iavoloha shooting"
22. ^ "Army calls politicians to find solution", (RFI, in French), March 11, 2009.
23. ^ "Madagascar: Army Threatens to Intervene", ["Allafrica"], March 11, 2009.
24. ^ "Mea culpa of Ravalaomanana", (Express de Madagascar, in French), March 11, 2009.
25. ^ "Madagascar soldiers seize palace". BBC. 16 March. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7946741.stm. Retrieved 16 March 2009. He finally handed his resignation today to the army. However, the army have decided to hand over power to his fierce political rival. 
26. ^ ^{a b} Corbett, Christina; McGreal, Chris (18 March 2009). "Madagascar's president resigns as rival claims power". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/18/madagascar-marc-ravalomanana. 
27. ^ ^{a b c} "Military backs Madagascar rival". BBC News. 17 March 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7949596.stm. 
28. ^ ^{a b c d} "FACTBOX-Madagascar's Ravalomanana, a fallen leader". Reuters. 2009-06-03. http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL3575667. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
29. ^ "Madagascan opposition takes over prime minister's office". Xinhua. 14 March 2009. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/14/content_11011120.htm. 
30. ^ "Madagascar President Resigns". Voice of America. http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-16-voa65.cfm. Retrieved 2009-03-17. 
31. ^ "Army puts Madagascar opposition leader in charge". Google News. Associated Press. 17 March 2009. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfV75EHUookBtBk2OlprGZBpDTzgD96VVNBG1. 
32. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Madagascar sentences ex-president". BBC News. 2009-06-03. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8080940.stm. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
33. ^ ^{a b c} "Madagascan court sentences former president to four years in prison". Xinhua News Agency. 2009-06-03. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/03/content_11482617.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
34. ^ "Exiled Madagascan leader Ravalomanana sentenced". BBC News. August 28, 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11120620. 
35. ^ "Madagascar sentences former leader in absentia". Reuters. August 28, 2010. http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE67R03H20100828. 
36. ^ Mauritius celebrates national day, Portal of the Republic of Mauritius, March 13, 2007

See also

• Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-IV), 2008.

Political offices
Preceded by Guy Razanamasy	Mayor of Antananarivo 1999–2002	Succeeded by Patrick Ramiaramanana
Preceded by Didier Ratsiraka	President of Madagascar 2002–2009	Succeeded by Andry Rajoelina as President of the High Transitional Authority

Persondata
Name	Ravalomanana, Marc
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	December 12, 1949
Place of birth	Imerinkasinina, Madagascar
Date of death
Place of death