The people of Madagascar found themselves increasingly immersed in a socioeconomic and political quagmire from 1975 until 1993, when their highly unpopular President, Admiral Didier Ratsiraka, was removed from office. This article shows how Ratsiraka’s efforts to consolidate power were transformed into the seeds of his own destruction. It reviews Ratsiraka’s Marxist career, which was constructed on the foundations laid by the revolution of 1972, and analyses his inefficient government and increasingly autocratic ways. Despite the increasing decline in the quality of life, rising crime rates, growing unemployment, abuse of power, and violations of human rights, Ratsiraka managed to win both the 1982 and the 1989 presidential elections. He survived by constantly shifting positions, shunting his enemies to one side, and ensuring that the opposition was disunited. Ratsiraka’s weakening position became apparent during an attempted coup in May 1990. The opposition continued to press Ratsiraka to make provision for constitutional reforms until he was finally defeated in the February 1993 presidential elections. Ref.
