Independence Day of the Republic of Madagascar

Flag of MadagascarOn June 26, 1960, the Malagasy Republic was declared independent. As a result of democratic elections, the Social Democratic Party, headed by Philiber Tsiranana, comes to power. The neo-colonialist regime of the Tsirana government led to a sharp drop in living standards, mass anti-government uprisings and uprisings took place.

Under these conditions, the government of Tsirana was forced to hand over power to the military on May 18, 1972. The new government was headed by General Ramanzua. The Ramanantsua government revised the unequal Franco-Malagasy agreements of 1960 and in 1973 signed new ones asserting Madagascar’s sovereignty and the withdrawal of French troops from the country.

Two years later, the reactionary forces, supported by some army officers and police, launched an armed rebellion. In February 1975, the Ramanantsua government resigned. The Supreme Revolutionary Council was formed and headed by Foreign Minister Didier Ratsiraka. The new regime has adopted a socialist orientation. In December of the same year, a referendum approved a new constitution and the election of Ratsiraki as president of the republic.

From 1991 to 2002, several rulers changed: Ratsiraka periodically returned to power, but his powers were severely curtailed.

Since 2002, a major industrialist, Mark Ravalomanana, became president, who began to pursue a policy of broad economic and political reforms and the fight against corruption.