Richard Ratsimandrava
Richard Ratsimandrava
Fokonolona and local communities
Accepting power from General Ramanantsoa, he declared, "Tsy hiambaho adidy aho, mon général!" ("I will not shirk my duty, my general!").
A Malagasy officer and politician who, as interior minister after 1972, promoted reorganization through traditional fokonolona communities. He became head of state in February 1975 and was assassinated soon afterward. His proposals should be distinguished from Ratsiraka’s later state planning.
Career timeline
- 1959Lieutenant in the French army, posted to the 12th Marine Infantry Battalion at Fianarantsoa
- 1969Commander of the National Gendarmerie, the first Malagasy officer to hold the post
- 1972Minister of the Interior under General Ramanantsoa's military government
- 1975-02Head of state and government, Minister of State for National Defense and Planning