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.

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State and economic-policy context

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.

The state acquired stakes in major financial, transport, trading and manufacturing firms, while private businesses faced price and profit-transfer controls. Increased investment in 1978–1980 raised debt without the expected production gains, followed by adjustment in the 1980s.