Madagascar acceded to autonomous statehood in October 1958 and has since been known for its conflict between the coastal people and the traditional ruling group, the Merina. However the economy went into a deep decline after 1967 and the crisis was deepened after an attempted military coup in 1974. The referendum in 1975 was however not enough to stop the conflict and political turmoil in Madagascar. Reform was introduced by President Ratsiraka but despite the changes conflict and turbulence are still ongoing on the island of Madagascar.
