Didier Ratsiraka | |
|---|---|
 Ratsiraka in 1997 | |
| 3rd and 5th President of Madagascar | |
| In office 9 February 1997 – 5 July 2002 | |
| Prime Minister | Norbert Ratsirahonana Pascal Rakotomavo Tantely Andrianarivo |
| Preceded by | Norbert Ratsirahonana (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Marc Ravalomanana |
| In office 15 June 1975 – 27 March 1993 | |
| Prime Minister | Joël Rakotomalala Justin Rakotoniaina Désiré Rakotoarijaona Victor Ramahatra Guy Razanamasy |
| Preceded by | Gilles Andriamahazo (as Chairman of the National Military Leadership Committee) |
| Succeeded by | Albert Zafy |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar | |
| In office 1972–1975 | |
| President | Gabriel Ramanantsoa |
| Preceded by | Jacques Rabemananjara |
| Succeeded by | Albert Zakariasy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 November 1936 Vatomandry, French Madagascar |
| Died | 28 March 2021 (aged 84) Antananarivo, Madagascar |
| Political party | Malagasy Revolutionary Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Roland 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.