Joël Rakotomalala (Toliara Province, 29 March 1929 – Antsirabe, 30 July 1976) was a Malagasy military officer and politician.

Joël Rakotomalala
9th Prime Minister of Madagascar
In office
11 January 1976 – 30 July 1976
PresidentDidier Ratsiraka
Preceded byOffice Reestablished
Succeeded byJustin Rakotoniaina
Personal details
Born(1929-03-29)29 March 1929
Toliara Province, French Madagascar
Died30 July 1976(1976-07-30) (aged 47)
Antsirabe, Democratic Republic of Madagascar
Cause of deathHelicopter accident
NationalityMadagascar Malagasy
Political partyAREMA

Biography edit

Colonel of the Madagascar People's Armed Forces, he was Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar from 13 January 1976 to his death,[1] under the presidency of Admiral Didier Ratsiraka. He was a member of the Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar. He died in the accident of an Aérospatiale Alouette III transport helicopter during a short flight with the chief of staff Alphonse Rakotonirainy on 30 July 1976,[2] the last month of the presence of the French Armed Forces in Madagascar. He was replaced on 12 August as Prime Minister by Justin Rakotoniaina.[1]

The accident edit

The maximum seven-seat transport helicopter, with more than 40 kilograms of luggage, took off from Antananarivo on 30 July 1976 for several successive flights. It crashed at the third stage, around noon.[3] In view of the inflamed political situation, the accident gave rise to suspicions of sabotage.[4][2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Didier Galibert (2011). Karthala - Cresoi / Université de la Réunion (ed.). Les gens du pouvoir à Madagascar – État postcolonial, légitimités et territoires (1956–2002) (in French). KARTHALA Editions. p. 458. ISBN 978-2-8111-0491-7.
  2. ^ a b Sud Aviation SE 3160 Accidents of Alouette III, by ASN Aviation Safety Database (consulted 8 June 2016).
  3. ^ (in French) Morts de Joël Rakotomalala et d’Alphonse Rakotonirainy: des révélations sur l’ « accident » d’Ankazimiroatra Archived 2016-08-10 at the Wayback Machine, La Nation, 1er septembre 2014 (interview de la fille d'Alphonse Rakotonirainy).
  4. ^ tropicale, Centre d'études de géographie; France), Centre d'étude et de recherches sur les sociétés de l'océan Indien (Aix-en-Provence (1989). La Deuxième République malgache (in French). Centre d'études de géographie tropicale. p. 49. ISBN 978-2-906621-10-7.
Political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
Gabriel Ramanantsoa
Prime Minister of Madagascar
1976
Succeeded by