Ex-Madagascar leader Didier Ratsiraka dies at 84

Madagascar's longtime former leader Didier Ratsiraka, a naval officer and instigator of a socialist revolution on the Indian Ocean island, died Sunday morning aged 84, President Andry Rajoelina announced.

Former Madagascar president Didier Ratsiraka has died at the age of 84. AFP/Rijasolo

"The Malagasy have lost an illustrious patriot," Rajoelina posted on Twitter.

Ce dimanche 28 mars 2021, l'ancien Président, l'Amiral Didier Ignace RATSIRAKA s'est éteint à l'âge de 84 ans.

Les Malagasy ont perdu un illustre patriote.

J'adresse mes condoléances à ses proches, à la grande famille de l'armée et à tous les citoyens Malagasy. pic.twitter.com/HP1JzfU29p

— Andry Rajoelina (@SE_Rajoelina) March 28, 2021

The cause of the death was not immediately disclosed.

Didier Ratsiraka was in power from 1975 until 1991 and returned for another stint from 1997 to 2002.

Deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of the former President Didier Ratsiraka today morning. His immense contribution to strengthening India-Madagascar relations will be fondly remembered. My deepest condolences to his family, the people and Govt. of Madagascar. pic.twitter.com/NcRpLJCvOY

— Ambassador Abhay Kumar (@AmbassadorAbhay) March 28, 2021

When he first came to power, he practised a form of Marxism and had close ties to North Korea's Kim Il Sung, Cuba's Fidel Castro and the Kremlin.

In January 2002, Ratsiraka's rival, Antananarivo mayor and entrepreneur Marc Ravalomanana, sent his supporters into the streets claiming victory in the first round of presidential elections held in December 2001.

Ravalomanana refused to organise a second round of voting, while Ratsiraka declined to concede defeat, plunging the country into seven months of violence and chaos.

The impasse split the nation in two -- with two capitals, two governments, and a divided army -- until Ravalomanana was officially proclaimed president in April 2002 and sworn in on May 6, with Ratsiraka still disputing the result.

The following July, Ratsiraka fled into exile in France where he remained for 11 years, returning home in 2013.

In 2003, Ratsiraka was sentenced in absentia to hard labour, five years in jail for threatening state security and 10 years for embezzling public funds.

(AFP)