Ionel Rotaru (1918-1982) was a Romani activist. Born in Bessarabia, now Moldova, he survived World War II and settled in France. Rotaru contributed significantly to the advocacy for his people, famously crowning himself as Vaida Voevod III, claiming to be the supreme leader of the Romani people. His founding of the Communauté Mondiale Gitane, the first international Romani organization, furthered his efforts to advocate for Romani rights and education. Despite challenges, including legal issues over specially issued passports for Roma, his efforts eventually led to the establishment of the International Romani Union and popularized the bicolor Romani flag.