Madagascar

Since the crisis of 2002, Madagascar has enjoyed relative political stability across the whole island. 2006 saw the start of a new electoral cycle, beginning in December with the presidential elections. To ensure that the elections took place in the best possible conditions, the international community, with the EU in the forefront, provided strong support in the preparations for voting, which proceeded in a calm and orderly manner. On 23 December 2006 the High Constitutional Court declared the outgoing President, Marc Ravalomanana, the winner of the first round of the elections with almost 55% of the votes.

Economic growth is back on track. Though the international context remains problematic (oil prices), the economy – and in particular agriculture - performed better in 2005 and 2006 than in 2004.

Although poverty and its many manifestations continue to be a concern in Madagascar, the situation has improved since 2002: the poverty rate reportedly fell from 80% in 2002 to 68% in 2005.

Madagascar's development strategy is geared firmly to reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. In 2007 the new Madagascar Action Plan (MAP), covering the period 2007-2012, replaced the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The aim of the MAP, launched by the President, is to make a qualitative leap forward in the national development process. It also represents Madagascar's response to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the World Bank's action plan for Africa and the European Union's new strategy for Africa.

Madagascar therefore wanted to design a response strategy for the 10th EDF that incorporates not only further action in the areas of transport infrastructure development, rural development, regional planning and macroeconomic budget support, but also a fresh emphasis on the promotion of good governance and strengthening regional integration as cross-cutting objectives.