Madagascar, 1990 — dissident coup attempt

Event Summary

The dataset records an event coded as an attempted dissident coupi in Madagascar on 13 May 1990 against President Didier Ratsiraka, coming amid the deepening political crisis of his fading authoritarian rule. Ratsiraka, in power since 1975, faced mounting pressure by 1990 from economic collapse, imposed austerity, and a rising opposition demanding democratic reform, and the atmosphere in the capital Antananarivo was tense with protest and dissent following the disputed 1989 election. In May 1990 an attempt to seize power or a coup plot arose within that climate of instability, reportedly involving dissident elements, and it did not unseat Ratsiraka.

He survived, but the underlying momentum toward change was unstoppable: over the following year a broad pro democracy movement coalesced, culminating in the mass protests, general strike, and the deadly August 1991 march on the presidential palace at Iavoloha that forced Ratsiraka to accept a transition. A new constitution followed, and he was defeated at the polls in 1993, though he would later return to the presidency before his final ouster in the disputed 2002 crisis.