SUMMARY

The supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, once a mayor of the capital of Antananarivo and later the president between 2002 and 2009, came largely from the urban, highland areas. Ravalomanana, a self-made millionaire and business man within the dairy sector, gained support, but also enemies, for his campaign as mayor to clean up and transform the capital. In the presidential election of 2001, he was portrayed by his supporters as someone who would bring well-needed political, economic and social changes to country.

The support for Ravalomanana was, however, weakened over the years, as many people felt disillusioned by the continuing wide-spread poverty in the country. He was also heavily criticized for plans to let foreign investor take over land in the southern parts of the country. In the turmoil of 2009, many of his supporters had already abandoned him, even though it should be noted that a month after he had been forced out of office, thousands of his supporters rallied in the capital.

The supporters of Marc Ravalomanana have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.