Madagascar 1992
The Madagascar constitution of 1992 was the end result of calls for political change that began in 1990. As the calls became more insistent, church leaders urged political leaders and nascent opposition leaders to meet in Consultations Nationales. The first meeting, held in August 1990, and the second meeting, held in December 1991, brought about commitments to promote the rule of law, change the electoral code, and engage in economic liberalization. The meetings were followed by widespread demonstrations in 1991 that intensified after President Ratsiraka proposed his own set of constitutional revisions without consultation. A coalition of 16 opposition parties, various organizations, and the Forces Vives, under Albert Zafy, organized street demonstrations to demand Ratsiraka’s resignation and to demand a new constitution to replace the socialist constitution. Following demonstrations in May for a national conference and a transitional government, the opposition formed a provisional government, although Ratsiraka refused to step down. In July, an ecumenical council of about 50 religious organizations supported by France, called for a National Forum. The Panorama Convention set up a transitional arrangement guided by a High Authority of the Transition to establish a National Forum in which the drafting of a constitution would take place. Regional forums held in October and November prepared drafts to submit to the National Forum. The National Forum convened in the capital on March 22,1991. Despite considerable violence just before the National Forum and during the meeting, the delegates produced a constitution, an electoral code, and 100 resolutions in eight days. The 1400 members of the National Forum ratified the constitution before it was sent for popular referendum. Voters in the popular referendum cast votes for specific provisions. Although supporters of former President Ratsiraka did not vote in favor of the constitution, 70% of the voters gave their approval. The constitution was ratified when the results were announced in court on September 12, 1992.