Didier Ratsiraka
Didier Ratsiraka
Madagascar’s socialist charter
“The socialist revolution is the only choice possible for us in order to achieve rapid economic and cultural development in an autonomous, humane, and harmonious manner.”
Madagascar’s leader from 1975. His socialist charter and Second Republic promoted nationalization, planned investment and economic decolonization. Debt and weak production led to market-oriented adjustments in the 1980s amid political opposition.
Career timeline
- 1962Graduated from the French naval academy; commissioned as a naval officer
- 1972–1975Foreign minister under Ramanantsoa; renegotiated Franco-Malagasy agreements, left the CFA franc zone
- 1975Became head of state as chair of the Supreme Revolutionary Council
- 1975Elected president by referendum; established the Second Republic
- 1976Founded the ruling party AREMA; became its secretary-general
- 1982Re-elected president
- 1989Re-elected president
- 1991Signed the Panorama Convention, ceding most powers while remaining president
- 1993Lost the multiparty election to Albert Zafy; left office
- 1997Re-elected president; returned to office
- 2002Fled into exile in July after the disputed election
- 2003Sentenced in absentia to ten years' hard labor for embezzlement
- 2011Returned from exile after nine years