Madagascar’s timeline created by Susie and Lonely Planet
Ever wonder why Madagascar is such a poor country? Take a look at Mada’s history to understand. We got this timeline from Lonely Planet’s book.
c2nd Century:
Mada is settled by Malay-Polynesians
1500:
First Europeans arrive in Mada
Late 1800s & Early 1900s:
The Merina became the dominant tribe, Mada ruled by the kings and queens
1895:
The French capture Antananarivo (now capital) in Mada, beating forces led by British mercenaries
1896:
Mada is officially declared a French colony
1943:
Mada joins free France
1947:
Famous insurrection of the freedom fighters
1960:
Mada gains independence in a peaceful transition and Philbert Tsiranana elected as its first President
1971:
Eviction of President Tsiranana
1975:
Ratsiraka elected President
1991:
Riots and strikes counters the Ratsiraka government
1993:
Election of President Zafy, ending Ratsiraka’s first 17 years in power
1996:
Impeachment of Zafy and the return of Ratsiraka
December 2001:
Presidential election crisis–both Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana insisted they were the rightfully elected leader for the country. Protests by supporters of both sides became violent
April 2002:
Marc Ravalomanana declared the outright winner of disputed elections by Malagasy High Constitutional Court. Ratsiraka, still refusing to accept the game was over, ordered his partisans to blow up electricity pylons, plunging Antananarivo into darkness. (A friend told us that he also poisoned Tana’s main lake which was usually reserved for the locals’ drinking water. The economy pretty much went downhill since the 1970s. Madagascar was considered the top 10’s poorest countries in the world at this time. )
August 2002:
Ravalomanana’s administration received endorsement from the UN then winning a convincing majority in elections for the National Assembly. Ratsiraka left for exile in France, and was sentenced in absentia to 10 years’ hard labour for embezzlement of public funds
(Gabe’s note here) Present time: So far what we have seen here, the economy is slowly picking up yet it still hasn’t come out of poverty yet. President Ravalomanana has given a 10-year plan for this country which he hopes will push Madagascar out of poverty. One of the plan’s goals is to have all the national roads paved and repaired so the locals, tourists, and trades will move around much quickly giving the country a big boost on economy. Since President Ravalomanana is very rich due to his famous yogurt company called Tiko, he really doesn’t have the need to be greedy like Ratsiraka. He actually tries to reach many of his supporters through television where he communicates with different people every week to show that he is in touch with them often. Also, many of the locals that we have chatted with have expressed optimistic attitude about him. So at the same time, Madagascar Federation of the Deaf is trying to get Malagasy Sign Language recognized, too. But I am sure that the President is having his hands full as he has to clean up the mess left by Ratsiraka.