Political Geography

An image depicting Madagascar's system of government

Madagascar is an island nation, so its borders are defined by the surrounding Indian Ocean. The country has no land borders with other nations, but it is located off the southeastern coast of Africa, with proximity to countries such as Mozambique across the Mozambique Channel.

Madagascar is a unitary republic, which means that it has a centralized government in which political power is concentrated in the central authority rather than being divided between regional or provincial governments.

Madagascar is a unitary presidential republic.

The president of Madagascar serves as both the head of state and government.

The country has a multi-party system, with elections held every five years.

Madagascar is home to a single nation, the Malagasy people. The Malagasy people are ethnically diverse, with groups such as the Merina, Betsimisaraka, and Betsileo making up the majority of the population. Despite ethnic differences, the Malagasy people share a common language (Malagasy) and a similar cultural heritage.

Early History:

Madagascar’s history goes back thousands of years, with the first settlers believed to have arrived from Southeast Asia and Africa. Over time, the island developed its own unique culture and political structures.

Colonial Period:

In 1896, Madagascar became a French colony. It remained under French control until gaining independence on June 26, 1960.

Post-Independence History:

After independence, Madagascar faced political instability with a series of military coups, government changes, and periods of authoritarian rule. However, Madagascar has also seen periods of democratic governance and has worked to stabilize its political institutions.

5. Current/Former Conflicts or Challenges to Sovereignty

Challenges to Sovereignty:

Madagascar has faced challenges to its sovereignty, particularly during the colonial period and after independence, with military coups and internal conflicts undermining political stability at various times.

Political Instability and Coups:

In 2009, Andry Rajoelina led a coup against the democratically elected president Marc Ravalomanana, leading to a period of political instability.

Madagascar also faces ongoing economic challenges and social inequality, which sometimes fuel unrest.

Madagascar’s Memberships:

Madagascar is a member of several international organizations, such as:

United Nations (UN)

African Union (AU)

Indian Ocean Commission (COI)

Commonwealth of Nations

Madagascar has seen some devolution of power in its governance system. The island is divided into 22 regions, each with a regional council and varying levels of autonomy over local governance.