Albert Zafy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albert Zafy
Albert Zafy in 2013
4th President of Madagascar
In office 27 March 1993 – 5 September 1996
Prime Minister	Emmanuel Rakotovahiny, Francisque Ravony
Preceded by	Didier Ratsiraka
Succeeded by	Norbert Ratsirahonana (acting)
Personal details
Born	(1927-05-01)1 May 1927 Betsihaka, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar
Died	13 October 2017(2017-10-13) (aged 90) Saint-Pierre, Réunion, France
Political party	National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) (2002–2017)
Other political affiliations	National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD) (before 2002)
Spouse	Thérèse Zafy (m. 1960s–2017; his death)
Alma mater	University of Montpellier
Occupation	Politician, educator

Albert Zafy (born May 1, 1927 – died October 13, 2017) was a Malagasy politician and teacher. He served as the President of Madagascar from March 27, 1993, to September 5, 1996. In 1988, he started a political group called the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD).

In 1992, Zafy ran for president against the current President, Didier Ratsiraka. The election went to a second round, called a run-off, between the two. In 1993, Zafy won the run-off election by a lot, getting 67% of the votes. During his time as president, he faced challenges like a struggling economy. He was later removed from office in 1996. After that, Ratsiraka defeated him in the 1996 presidential election. Even after leaving the presidency, Zafy stayed active in politics, often leading the opposition against later governments.

Early Life and Career

Albert Zafy was born in Ambilobe, Diana Region, on May 1, 1927. He went to college at the University of Montpellier in France. After returning to Madagascar, he became the Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs. This was under the government of Gabriel Ramanantsoa. When Didier Ratsiraka became president in 1975, Zafy left the government. He then joined the University of Madagascar as a teacher.

Becoming a Political Leader

Leading the Opposition in the Early 1990s

In 1988, Albert Zafy started his own political party, the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD). In 1990, at a big meeting of opposition groups, Zafy was chosen to lead the Committee of Active Forces (CFV). This group brought together several opposition parties, including his own.

On July 16, 1991, the CFV announced they had formed their own government, with Zafy as their Prime Minister. Zafy was held for a week in July 1991. When he was released, about 100,000 supporters greeted him. He was later hurt during a protest. The opposition groups successfully pushed President Ratsiraka to agree to the Panorama Convention on October 31, 1991. This agreement set up a temporary government and took away most of Ratsiraka's power. Zafy helped guide this change as the head of the High State Authority. This group replaced older government bodies during the time of change from 1991 to 1993.

First Time Running for President

In the presidential election held in November 1992, Zafy came in first place in the first round. He received about 45% of the votes. Ratsiraka was second with about 29%. The election went to a second round on February 10, 1993. Zafy won the presidency with 66.74% of the votes.

He officially took office in late March. This was a very important moment for Madagascar. It was the first time since the country became independent in 1960 that a president peacefully gave up power to someone from the opposition. In June 1993, Zafy's supporters also won most of the seats in the parliamentary elections.

Presidency (1993–1996)

Time in Office

During his time as president, Zafy had disagreements with his Prime Minister, Francisque Ravony. Zafy wanted more power for the president. In September 1995, a special vote was held, and people agreed to give the president more power. This meant the president could now choose the prime minister. Before, the National Assembly (like a parliament) made that choice. After the vote, the Assembly had to send three names to the president, and he would pick one.

The president also gained the power to remove the prime minister without needing new elections. Ravony resigned in October 1995. Zafy then chose Emmanuel Rakotovahiny as the new prime minister. Rakotovahiny was the head of Zafy's UNDD party.

Zafy's time as president was difficult. The country's economy faced problems, which made him less popular. He was also accused of misusing his power. Because of these issues, the National Assembly voted to remove him from office on July 26, 1996. More than two-thirds of the members voted to impeach him. On September 4, the High Constitutional Court agreed with the decision to remove him. Zafy announced on September 5 that he would leave office on October 10. He called his removal a "constitutional coup d'état" and said it happened because he had criticized the National Assembly. Even though he had to leave office, he was allowed to run in the presidential election later that year.

1996 Re-election Attempt and Loss

In his 1996 election campaign, Zafy blamed the country's problems on his opponents and the International Monetary Fund. He tried to downplay the reasons he was removed from office. Even though he had lost a lot of support, he came in second place in the first round of the election on November 3. He got 23.39% of the votes, while Ratsiraka got 36.61%.

In the second round, held on December 29, Zafy narrowly lost to Ratsiraka. He received 49.29% of the votes, losing by about 45,000 votes. He later claimed that the High Constitutional Court had swapped the vote numbers for him and Ratsiraka. He said he didn't speak about it at the time for the sake of peace in the country.

After the Presidency (1997–2017)

Opposition Leader Under Ratsiraka

Zafy tried to remove Ratsiraka from office again in early 1998. He accused Ratsiraka of several things, including lying under oath and favoring family members for jobs. He also said Ratsiraka was breaking the constitution by trying to make the presidency stronger and the National Assembly weaker. This attempt failed in the National Assembly on February 4, 1998. Only 60 members voted for it, which was not enough.

Zafy later won a seat in the parliamentary election in May 1998. He became the oldest member of the National Assembly. Around the same time, he also tried, but failed, to make Antsiranana Province separate from Madagascar.

On August 31, 2001, Zafy announced he would run again in the December 2001 presidential election. In that election, he came in a distant third place with about 5% of the votes. Another opposition candidate, Marc Ravalomanana, eventually won after a long disagreement over the election results. Ratsiraka then left the country.

Opposition Leader Under Ravalomanana

Zafy became the leader of the National Reconciliation Committee (CRN). This group was started in June 2002 to help bring peace among the main people involved in the political problems after the 2001 election. During Ravalomanana's time as president, Zafy and the CRN were seen as strong opponents of the government. Zafy often criticized Ravalomanana and asked for a new constitution.

On July 8, 2004, a grenade exploded outside Zafy's home. It caused some damage but no one was hurt. This happened during a time when there were several grenade attacks across the country.

On December 8, 2006, police searched Zafy's property. This was part of a government investigation about General Fidy. General Fidy was accused of trying to overthrow the government in November. Police were also looking for presidential candidate Pety Rakotoniaina. Zafy reacted to the search by saying he did not see Ravalomanana as the rightful president.

Zafy traveled to Paris in June 2007. There, he met with Ratsiraka and members of Ratsiraka's old government who were also living outside Madagascar. He met with Ratsiraka on June 8, with AREMA leader Pierrot Rajaonarivelo on June 9, and with Tantely Andrianarivo on June 11. Andrianarivo had been Prime Minister under Ratsiraka. Zafy met with Ratsiraka and Andrianarivo again on June 25.

Role in 2009–2010 Political Events

President Ravalomanana was forced out of office in March 2009 after public protests and military action. Another opposition leader, Andry Rajoelina, became president with the military's support. Rajoelina included Zafy's advisor, Betiana Bruno, as one of 44 members of the High Transitional Authority. Zafy expressed his concerns about this new temporary government on April 1. He complained that Rajoelina would not take his advice. He also said he wanted more local control for the provinces. Despite Zafy's concerns, Bruno attended a national meeting promoted by Rajoelina's government.

Zafy in September 2012

On August 4, 2009, Zafy met with Rajoelina, Ravalomanana, and Ratsiraka. This was part of talks to find a solution to the political problems. Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano helped guide these four-day talks in Maputo. After many discussions, the four leaders agreed to share power. However, by December 2009, this agreement had mostly fallen apart. Rajoelina's government at first stopped Zafy and others from returning to Madagascar after the talks, but later allowed them back.

After the power-sharing agreement failed, Zafy announced on December 18, 2009, that the opposition would form its own government. He criticized Rajoelina, saying he had broken his promise. Zafy also asked the army not to get involved in the political situation.

Personal Life and Death

Albert Zafy died from a stroke on October 13, 2017. He was 90 years old. He passed away at a hospital in Saint-Pierre, which is in the French overseas department of Réunion.

See also

In Spanish: Albert Zafy para niños