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Albert Zafy

Albert Zafy was a Malagasy politician and educator who served as the fourth President of Madagascar from 1993 to 1996. He founded the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD) in 1988 and ran against President Didier Ratsiraka in the 1992 elections, eventually winning a landslide victory in 1993 with 67% of the vote.

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ALBERT ZAFY

Albert Zafy was born on May 1, 1927, in Ambilobe, located in the Diana Region of Madagascar. He pursued his higher education at the University of Montpellier in France, where he acquired the knowledge and skills that would later shape his career. Upon returning to Madagascar, Zafy took up the role of Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs in the government led by Gabriel Ramanantsoa. However, when Didier Ratsiraka assumed power in 1975, Zafy resigned from his position and subsequently joined the University of Madagascar, where he contributed to academia for several years.

In 1988, Zafy made his initial mark on the political landscape by founding the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD). His leadership qualities quickly became evident, and by 1990, he was elected President of the Committee of Active Forces (CFV), a coalition of opposition parties. Zafy’s political influence grew, and in 1991, he was appointed as Prime Minister by the CFV, establishing an alternative government. Although he faced detention, he emerged as a pivotal figure in the opposition, garnering a crowd of supporters upon his release. His role was instrumental in pushing Ratsiraka to agree to the Panorama Convention, a deal that led to the formation of a transitional government and reduced Ratsiraka's powers significantly.

Zafy's popularity continued to surge, and in the 1992-1993 presidential election, he secured the presidency with a convincing victory, receiving over 66% of the vote in the final round. His election marked a historic moment as it was the first peaceful transition of power from an incumbent to an opposition leader since Madagascar's independence. Once in office, Zafy sought to strengthen his authority, which led to a referendum in 1995 that granted the presidency greater control over the appointment of the Prime Minister. His tenure, however, was marked by economic challenges and accusations of corruption, culminating in his impeachment in 1996. Although he criticized the impeachment process as a "constitutional coup d'état," he complied with the ruling and vacated his office later that year.

Despite his impeachment, Zafy remained active in politics and ran in the subsequent presidential election in late 1996. Although he made it to the second round, he was narrowly defeated by Ratsiraka. He attributed his administration's economic difficulties to the policies of his opponents and the International Monetary Fund. Following his loss, Zafy became a vocal opposition leader, even attempting to impeach Ratsiraka in 1998. That year, he secured a seat in the National Assembly, where he continued to advocate for the people of Madagascar.

Zafy ran for president again in 2001, but this time, he garnered only a small percentage of the vote. In the aftermath, he led the National Reconciliation Committee, which aimed to foster unity amid a tense political environment. Under the presidency of Marc Ravalomanana, Zafy remained a prominent opposition figure, and in 2004, his home was the target of a grenade attack amid political turmoil. He continued to be critical of Ravalomanana's administration, which he accused of undermining democratic principles.

During the 2009 political crisis, Zafy once again played a role in the nation's attempts at reconciliation, engaging in negotiations with other key political figures to establish a power-sharing agreement. Despite his efforts, the agreement did not hold, and Zafy voiced his frustrations, advocating for the formation of an opposition-led government. His call for political change remained consistent as he championed the need for provincial autonomy and cautioned the military against political involvement.

Albert Zafy passed away on October 13, 2017, following a stroke. He died at the age of 90 in Saint-Pierre, located in the French overseas department of Réunion. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Zafy

GOVERNING TIME LINE

Albert Zafy assumed the presidency of Madagascar on March 27, 1993, following his election after the fall of Didier Ratsiraka’s authoritarian rule. He served until September 5, 1996, when he was impeached by the National Assembly for alleged constitutional violations and corruption. Zafy briefly returned to office as an interim leader, but his tenure formally ended on February 4, 1997, when Didier Ratsiraka was re-elected.

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