Didier Ratsiraka

Didier Ratsiraka
Ratsiraka in 1997
3rd and 5th President of Madagascar
In office
9 February 1997 – 5 July 2002
Prime MinisterNorbert Ratsirahonana
Pascal Rakotomavo
Tantely Andrianarivo
Preceded byNorbert Ratsirahonana (acting)
Succeeded byMarc Ravalomanana
In office
15 June 1975 – 27 March 1993
Prime MinisterJoël Rakotomalala
Justin Rakotoniaina
Désiré Rakotoarijaona
Victor Ramahatra
Guy Razanamasy
Preceded byGilles Andriamahazo (as Chairman of the National Military Leadership Committee)
Succeeded byAlbert Zafy
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar
In office
1972–1975
PresidentGabriel Ramanantsoa
Preceded byJacques Rabemananjara
Succeeded byAlbert Zakariasy
Personal details
Born(1936-11-04)4 November 1936
Vatomandry, French Madagascar
Died28 March 2021(2021-03-28) (aged 84)
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Political partyMalagasy Revolutionary Party
Spouse
(m. 1964)
Children4
RelativesRoland Ratsiraka (nephew)

Didier Ignace Ratsiraka (Malagasy: [raˈtsirəkə̥]; 4 November 1936 – 28 March 2021) was a Malagasy politician and naval officer who was the third President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and the fifth from 1997 to 2002. At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving President of Madagascar.

He was first appointed president in 1975 by the military leadership, he was then reelected twice in 1982 and 1989. While he lost to Albert Zafy in 1992, Ratsiraka returned to office after winning the 1997 election. After the 2001 election, he and his opponent Marc Ravalomanana engaged in a lengthy standoff after the latter refused to participate in a runoff election; Ratsiraka eventually stepped down.