Albert Zafy
Encyclopedia
Albert Zafy is a Malagasy
politician. He was the President of Madagascar
from 27 March 1993 to 5 September 1996.
, Diana Region
. He studied at the University of Montpellier
in France
. After his return to Madagascar he became Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs under Gabriel Ramanantsoa
. After Didier Ratsiraka
took power in 1975, Zafy resigned from the government and joined the University of Madagascar
.
led him to seek increased powers, and in September 1995 a successful referendum was held that substantially increased the powers of the president. This gave him authority over the selection of the prime minister, a decision that was previously in the hands of the National Assembly; following the referendum, the National Assembly was required to send three names of candidates to the president, from which he could choose. The president also gained the ability to dismiss the prime minister without requiring new elections. Ravony resigned in October 1995, and Zafy appointed Emmanuel Rakotovahiny
, who was the head of the UNDD and had been Minister of State for Rural Development and Land Reform, in his place.
Zafy's time in office was widely seen as being marked by economic decline, which negatively impacted his popularity, and amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power, he was impeached by the National Assembly on July 26, 1996. The impeachment was backed by more than the necessary two-thirds of deputies; out of 134 deputies present, 99 voted in favor of the motion, 32 against it, and there were three null votes. On September 4, the High Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment. On September 5, Zafy announced that he would leave office on October 10, and he described his impeachment as a "constitutional coup d'état" that occurred a result of his criticism of the National Assembly. Although he could not delay his departure from office, he was able to stand as a candidate in the late 1996 presidential election
called as a result of his impeachment.
, and he downplayed the charges against him that had led to his impeachment. Although he had lost much of his support, in the first round of the election, held on November 3, he was able to take second place with 23.39% of the vote, behind Ratsiraka's 36.61%. Zafy received some support in the second round from those who, despite their criticisms of Zafy, felt he was preferable to Ratsiraka, such as Interim President Norbert Ratsirahonana
, who had unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in the first round. In the second round, held on December 29, Zafy narrowly lost to Ratsiraka, taking 49.29% of the vote and losing by about 45,000 votes. He later alleged that the High Constitutional Court had switched the numbers for himself and Ratsiraka and said that he had not spoken of that at the time for the sake of peace.
Zafy led an attempt to impeach Ratsiraka in early 1998, accusing him of various charges, including perjury and nepotism; he also accused Ratsiraka of violating the constitution in his moves toward decentralization and the strengthening of the presidency at the expense of the National Assembly's power. The impeachment motion failed in the National Assembly on February 4, 1998 when only 60 deputies voted in favor of it, well short of the necessary 92. Zafy subsequently won a seat in the May 1998 parliamentary election
, becoming the oldest deputy in the National Assembly. He also unsuccessfully sought the secession of Antsiranana Province
from Madagascar at around the same time.
On August 31, 2001, Zafy announced that he would again run in the December 2001 presidential election
. On that occasion, he placed a distant third with about 5% of the vote. Opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana
prevailed in an extended dispute with Ratsiraka over the election results, and Ratsiraka fled into exile.
A grenade
exploded outside Zafy's home early on July 8, 2004, causing some damage but no injuries. This occurred in the midst of a series of grenade attacks across the country.
On December 8, 2006, Zafy's property was raided by police as part of the government's investigation regarding General Fidy
, who allegedly attempted a coup
in November, and presidential candidate Pety Rakotoniaina
, both of whom the police sought to locate and arrest. Reacting to the raid, Zafy said that he did not recognize Ravalomanana as president and had never recognized him as such.
Zafy travelled to Paris
in June 2007, where he met with Ratsiraka and members of his former government who were also in exile. He met with Ratsiraka on June 8, with AREMA
leader Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
on June 9, and with Tantely Andrianarivo
, who served as Prime Minister under Ratsiraka, on June 11. He met with Ratsiraka and Andrianarivo again on June 25.
assumed the presidency with support from the military. Rajoelina included Zafy's adviser Betiana Bruno as one of 44 members of the High Transitional Authority, which he appointed on March 31, 2009. Zafy expressed his objections to the transitional government at a press conference on April 1, complaining that Rajoelina would not take his advice; he also said that he would seek provincial autonomy. Bruno was nevertheless present at the national conference which began on April 2 and was promoted by Rajoelina's government.
On August 4, 2009, as part of negotiations for a solution to the political crisis, Zafy met with Rajoelina, Ravalomanana, and Ratsiraka, along with former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano
, who acted as mediator at the four day long mediation crisis talks held in Maputo
. An extended process of negotiations between the four leaders resulted in a power-sharing agreement, but by December 2009 that agreement had effectively collapsed. Rajoelina's government initially barred Zafy and others from returning to Madagascar after the talks, but later he was allowed to return. In the wake of the power-sharing agreement's collapse, Zafy declared on December 18, 2009, that the opposition would form its own government of national unity. He denounced Rajoelina, saying that Rajoelina had "reneged on his signature" and that the opposition could "no longer trust him to run the country". He also called on the army to refrain from involvement in the political situation.
Malagasy people
The Malagasy ethnic group forms nearly the entire population of Madagascar. They are divided into two subgroups: the "Highlander" Merina, Sihanaka and Betsileo of the central plateau around Antananarivo, Alaotra and Fianarantsoa, and the côtiers elsewhere in the country. This division has its...
politician. He was the President of Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
from 27 March 1993 to 5 September 1996.
Early life and career
Zafy was born in AmbilobeAmbilobe
Ambilobe is a city in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambilobe, which is a part of Diana Region. The town is the capital of Ambilobe district, and according to 2001 census the population was approximately 56,000....
, Diana Region
Diana, Madagascar
Diana is a region in Madagascar. The region is the most northerly part of the island. It borders the adjacent regions of Sava to the east and Sofia to the south. It covers an area of 19,266 km2., and had an estimated population of 485,800 in 2004...
. He studied at the University of Montpellier
University of Montpellier
The University of Montpellier was a French university in Montpellier in the Languedoc-Roussillon région of the south of France. Its present-day successor universities are the University of Montpellier 1, Montpellier 2 University and Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III.-History:The university...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. After his return to Madagascar he became Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs under Gabriel Ramanantsoa
Gabriel Ramanantsoa
Gabriel Ramanantsoa was the President and Prime Minister of Madagascar from 1972 to 1975.Ramanantsoa was a member of the Merina ethnic group, and came from a wealthy family. He was a career officer in the French army. After Madagascar became independent, he joined the Madagascar military, rising...
. After Didier Ratsiraka
Didier Ratsiraka
Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka is a Malagasy politician who was President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2002.-Second Republic:...
took power in 1975, Zafy resigned from the government and joined the University of Madagascar
University of Madagascar
The University of Madagascar was the former name of the centralized public university system in Madagascar, although the original branch in Antananarivo is still often called by that name....
.
Opposition leader in the early 1990s
In 1988 he founded the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD). At a national conference of the opposition in 1990, Zafy was elected as President of the Committee of Active Forces (CFV), a cooperation group of several opposition parties, including Zafy's UNDD. On July 16, 1991, the CFV declared the creation of an alternative government, with Zafy as its Prime Minister. Zafy was detained for a week in late July 1991 and was met with a crowd of about 100,000 supporters upon his release. He was subsequently wounded during a protest. The opposition was ultimately successful in forcing Ratsiraka to agree to the Panorama Convention, which established a transitional government and stripped Ratsiraka of most of his powers, on October 31, 1991. Zafy became head of the High Authority of the State, which, along with the Social and Economic Recovery Council, replaced the Supreme Revolutionary Council and the National Assembly during the 1991–1993 transitional period.Election as President and 1993–1996 presidential term
In the multiparty presidential election held in November 1992, Zafy placed first in the first round with about 45% of the vote; Ratsiraka placed second with about 29%. In the second round, held on February 10, 1993, Zafy won the presidency with 66.74% of the vote; he took office in late March. In June 1993, Zafy's supporters won a majority in parliamentary elections. In office, Zafy's rivalry with Prime Minister Francisque RavonyFrancisque Ravony
Francisque Ravony was a Malagasy lawyer and politician. He was a key political figure in Madagascar during the late 1980s and 1990s...
led him to seek increased powers, and in September 1995 a successful referendum was held that substantially increased the powers of the president. This gave him authority over the selection of the prime minister, a decision that was previously in the hands of the National Assembly; following the referendum, the National Assembly was required to send three names of candidates to the president, from which he could choose. The president also gained the ability to dismiss the prime minister without requiring new elections. Ravony resigned in October 1995, and Zafy appointed Emmanuel Rakotovahiny
Emmanuel Rakotovahiny
Emmanuel Rakotovahiny is a Malagasy politician who was Prime Minister of Madagascar from 1995 to 1996. A close ally of Albert Zafy, he is the President of the National Union for Democracy and Development , a political party, as well as the Vice-President of the National Reconciliation Committee , a...
, who was the head of the UNDD and had been Minister of State for Rural Development and Land Reform, in his place.
Zafy's time in office was widely seen as being marked by economic decline, which negatively impacted his popularity, and amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power, he was impeached by the National Assembly on July 26, 1996. The impeachment was backed by more than the necessary two-thirds of deputies; out of 134 deputies present, 99 voted in favor of the motion, 32 against it, and there were three null votes. On September 4, the High Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment. On September 5, Zafy announced that he would leave office on October 10, and he described his impeachment as a "constitutional coup d'état" that occurred a result of his criticism of the National Assembly. Although he could not delay his departure from office, he was able to stand as a candidate in the late 1996 presidential election
Malagasy presidential election, 1996
Presidential elections were held in Madagascar on 3 November 1996, with a second round on 29 December 1996. The election followed the impeachment of incumbent President Albert Zafy and the appointment of his interim successor, Norbert Ratsirahonana....
called as a result of his impeachment.
1996 election and opposition to Ratsiraka
In his 1996 campaign, Zafy blamed the problems faced by Madagascar during his presidency on his opponents and the International Monetary FundInternational Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
, and he downplayed the charges against him that had led to his impeachment. Although he had lost much of his support, in the first round of the election, held on November 3, he was able to take second place with 23.39% of the vote, behind Ratsiraka's 36.61%. Zafy received some support in the second round from those who, despite their criticisms of Zafy, felt he was preferable to Ratsiraka, such as Interim President Norbert Ratsirahonana
Norbert Ratsirahonana
Norbert Lala Ratsirahonana is a Malagasy politician.He was born in Antsiranana, Diana Region. He founded and led the Asa Vita no Ifampitsarana Party, which opposed President Didier Ratsiraka. He and his party were part of the coalition which elected Albert Zafy to the presidency in 1993...
, who had unsuccessfully stood as a candidate in the first round. In the second round, held on December 29, Zafy narrowly lost to Ratsiraka, taking 49.29% of the vote and losing by about 45,000 votes. He later alleged that the High Constitutional Court had switched the numbers for himself and Ratsiraka and said that he had not spoken of that at the time for the sake of peace.
Zafy led an attempt to impeach Ratsiraka in early 1998, accusing him of various charges, including perjury and nepotism; he also accused Ratsiraka of violating the constitution in his moves toward decentralization and the strengthening of the presidency at the expense of the National Assembly's power. The impeachment motion failed in the National Assembly on February 4, 1998 when only 60 deputies voted in favor of it, well short of the necessary 92. Zafy subsequently won a seat in the May 1998 parliamentary election
Malagasy parliamentary election, 1998
Parliamentary elections were held in Madagascar on 17 May 1998. AREMA, the party led by President Didier Ratsiraka, emerged as the largest faction in the National Assembly, winning 32 of the 150 seats. However, independent candidates won more seats than any party.-Results:...
, becoming the oldest deputy in the National Assembly. He also unsuccessfully sought the secession of Antsiranana Province
Antsiranana Province
Antsiranana is a former province of Madagascar with an area of 43,406 km2. It had a population of 1,188,425 . Its capital was Antsiranana. Notable is Ankarana Reserve.Antsiranana Province bordered the following provinces:...
from Madagascar at around the same time.
On August 31, 2001, Zafy announced that he would again run in the December 2001 presidential election
Malagasy presidential election, 2001
Presidential elections were held in Madagascar on 16 December 2001. Initial results suggested a second round was necessary, with neither of the main candidates, incumbent President Didier Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana. However, Ravalomanana rejected the results and declared himself President in...
. On that occasion, he placed a distant third with about 5% of the vote. Opposition candidate Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana is a Malagasy politician who was the President of Madagascar from 2002 to 2009. A member of the Merina ethnic group, Ravalomanana served as Mayor of Antananarivo before becoming President in 2002...
prevailed in an extended dispute with Ratsiraka over the election results, and Ratsiraka fled into exile.
Opposition leader under Ravalomanana
Zafy became the leader of the National Reconciliation Committee (CRN), which was founded in June 2002 to promote national reconciliation among the leading participants in the political crisis that followed the 2001 election. During Ravalomanana's presidency, Zafy and the CRN were viewed as part of the radical opposition in Madagascar. Zafy strongly criticized Ravalomanana and called for a new constitution.A grenade
Grenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
exploded outside Zafy's home early on July 8, 2004, causing some damage but no injuries. This occurred in the midst of a series of grenade attacks across the country.
On December 8, 2006, Zafy's property was raided by police as part of the government's investigation regarding General Fidy
Andrianafidisoa
Andrianafidisoa, popularly known as Fidy, is a retired military general of the Army of Madagascar and a former Director of the National Mines and Strategic Industries Office . He allegedly attempted a coup d'état against Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana on November 18, 2006...
, who allegedly attempted a coup
2006 Malagasy coup d'état attempt
An alleged coup d'état attempt occurred in Madagascar on November 18, 2006, during the lead-up to the December 3 presidential election, when retired army General Andrianafidisoa, also known as Fidy , declared military rule.According to judicial authorities, Andrianafidisoa was not allowed to run...
in November, and presidential candidate Pety Rakotoniaina
Pety Rakotoniaina
Pety Rakotoniaina is a Malagasy politician. He is the President of the Union association and the Mayor of Fianarantsoa.Born in Ikalamavony, Rakotoniaina studied at the University of Fianarantsoa Madagascar...
, both of whom the police sought to locate and arrest. Reacting to the raid, Zafy said that he did not recognize Ravalomanana as president and had never recognized him as such.
Zafy travelled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in June 2007, where he met with Ratsiraka and members of his former government who were also in exile. He met with Ratsiraka on June 8, with AREMA
Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar
The Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or Pillar and Structure for the Salvation of Madagascar is a political party in Madagascar.*National secretary: Pierrot Rajaonarivelo...
leader Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
Pierrot Jocelyn Rajaonarivelo is a Malagasy politician and National Secretary of the AREMA party. He served in the government of Madagascar as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2002, under President Didier Ratsiraka. He went into exile when Ratsiraka was ousted in 2002, and he was subsequently...
on June 9, and with Tantely Andrianarivo
Tantely Andrianarivo
René Tantely Gabrio Andrianarivo was a politician in Madagascar. He was the Prime Minister of Madagascar from 23 July 1998 until 31 May 2002, under President Didier Ratsiraka....
, who served as Prime Minister under Ratsiraka, on June 11. He met with Ratsiraka and Andrianarivo again on June 25.
Role in 2009–2010 political events
President Ravalomanana was forced out of office through popular protests and military intervention in March 2009; opposition leader Andry RajoelinaAndry Rajoelina
Andry Nirina Rajoelina , born May 30 1974, is the former mayor of Antananarivo who became transitional head of state of Madagascar on March 21, 2009 after the 2009 Malagasy political crisis....
assumed the presidency with support from the military. Rajoelina included Zafy's adviser Betiana Bruno as one of 44 members of the High Transitional Authority, which he appointed on March 31, 2009. Zafy expressed his objections to the transitional government at a press conference on April 1, complaining that Rajoelina would not take his advice; he also said that he would seek provincial autonomy. Bruno was nevertheless present at the national conference which began on April 2 and was promoted by Rajoelina's government.
On August 4, 2009, as part of negotiations for a solution to the political crisis, Zafy met with Rajoelina, Ravalomanana, and Ratsiraka, along with former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano
Joaquim Chissano
Joaquim Alberto Chissano served as the second President of Mozambique for nineteen years from 6 November 1986 until 2 February 2005. Since stepping down as president, Chissano has become an elder statesman and is called upon by international bodies, such as the United Nations, to be an envoy or...
, who acted as mediator at the four day long mediation crisis talks held in Maputo
Maputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
. An extended process of negotiations between the four leaders resulted in a power-sharing agreement, but by December 2009 that agreement had effectively collapsed. Rajoelina's government initially barred Zafy and others from returning to Madagascar after the talks, but later he was allowed to return. In the wake of the power-sharing agreement's collapse, Zafy declared on December 18, 2009, that the opposition would form its own government of national unity. He denounced Rajoelina, saying that Rajoelina had "reneged on his signature" and that the opposition could "no longer trust him to run the country". He also called on the army to refrain from involvement in the political situation.