43-455: Ratsiraka is a Malagasy surname. You may be looking for: Céline Ratsiraka , Malagasy politician, wife of Didier Didier Ratsiraka (1936–2021), President of Madagascar 1975–1993 and 1997–2002 Roland Ratsiraka (born 1966), Malagasy politician, nephew of Didier [REDACTED] Surname list This page lists people with the surname Ratsiraka . If an internal link intending to refer to
86-692: A Roman Catholic wedding ceremony. The couple had four children, namely Olga, Sophie, Annick and Xavier. Ratsiraka initially served as a military attaché at the Embassy of Madagascar in Paris , before being appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs with President Gabriel Ramanantsoa 's transitional government from 1972 until 1975. As foreign minister, Ratsiraka renegotiated the Franco-Malagasy cooperation agreements, which had originally been signed in 1960. He also oversaw Madagascar's departure from
129-533: A national day of mourning . CFA franc The CFA franc ( French : franc CFA , [fʁɑ̃ seɛfɑ] ) is the name of two currencies used by 210 million people (as of 2023) in fourteen African countries: the West African CFA franc (where "CFA" stands for Communauté Financière Africaine , i.e. "African Financial Community" in English), used in eight West African countries , and
172-654: A "small flu", according to their relatives. Ratsiraka had received a PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 , but the results were negative for coronavirus, according to relatives cited by Jeune Afrique . Several days later, Ratsiraka died from cardiac arrest at CENHOSOA hospital in the early morning of 28 March 2021, at the age of 84. Ratsiraka was buried in the Ambohitsaina Mausoleum ( Mausolée d'Ambohitsaina ) in Antananarivo on 29 March 2021. President Andry Rajoelina also declared 29 March as
215-490: A combined population of 210.4 million people (as of 2023), and a combined GDP of US$ 313.7 billion (as of 2023). Between 1945 and 1958, CFA stood for Colonies françaises d'Afrique ("French colonies of Africa"); then for Communauté française d'Afrique (" French Community of Africa") between 1958 (establishment of the French Fifth Republic ) and the independence of these African countries at
258-533: A referendum held on 21 December 1975, establishing the Second Republic ; Ratsiraka was also elected President for a seven-year term in this referendum, which received the backing of 95% of voters according to official results. The political party AREMA was founded in 1976 with Ratsiraka as its secretary-general; together with five other parties, AREMA formed the political alliance called the Vanguard of
301-527: A specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name (s) to the link. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ratsiraka&oldid=1015416835 " Category : Surnames Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata All set index articles Didier Ratsiraka Didier Ignace Ratsiraka ( Malagasy: [raˈtsirəkə̥] ; 4 November 1936 – 28 March 2021)
344-635: Is issued by the BEAC ( Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale , i.e., "Bank of the Central African States"), located in Yaoundé , Cameroon , for the six countries of the CEMAC ( Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale , i.e., " Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa "): These six countries have a combined population of 62.8 million people (as of 2023), and
387-682: Is known in French as the Franc CFA , where CFA stands for Communauté financière d'Afrique ('Financial Community of Africa') or Communauté Financière Africaine ("African Financial Community"). It is issued by the BCEAO ( Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest , i.e., "Central Bank of the West African States"), located in Dakar , Senegal , for the eight countries of
430-629: The Bretton Woods Agreement in December 1945, the French franc was devalued in order to set a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar . New currencies were created in the French colonies to spare them the strong devaluation, thereby making it easier for them to import goods from France (and simultaneously making it harder for them to export goods to France). French officials presented the decision as an act of generosity. René Pleven ,
473-787: The CFA franc zone in 1972. Known as the "Red Admiral", he was made head of state, as President of the Supreme Revolutionary Council , by the military leadership on 15 June 1975. He was also nicknamed "Deba", a Malagasy word which translates in English to "the Big Man". He began setting up a socialist system , guided by the Charter of the Malagasy Socialist Revolution , which was approved in
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#1732772818096516-537: The Central African CFA franc (where "CFA" stands for Coopération Financière en Afrique centrale , i.e. "Financial Cooperation in Central Africa" in English), used in six Central African countries. Although separate, the two CFA franc currencies have always been at parity and are effectively interchangeable. The ISO currency codes are XAF for the Central African CFA franc and XOF for
559-506: The French Minister of Finance , was quoted as saying: In a show of her generosity and selflessness, metropolitan France , wishing not to impose on her far-away daughters the consequences of her own poverty, is setting different exchange rates for their currency. The CFA franc was created with a fixed exchange rate versus the French franc . This exchange rate was changed only twice, in 1948 and in 1994 (besides nominal adaptation to
602-662: The Moramanga District and a Malagasy official in the French colonial administration. Ratsiraka attended Lycée Henri-IV , a prestigious public secondary school in Paris . He then graduated from École navale , the French naval academy, as a naval officer with a bachelor's degree in 1962. He returned to Madagascar, where he began his career as a naval ensign at the French naval and military base in Diego-Suarez . In 1964, Ratsiraka married Céline Velonjara in
645-565: The West African CFA franc . Both CFA francs have a fixed exchange rate (peg) to the euro guaranteed by France: €1 = F.CFA 655.957 exactly. To ensure this convertibility guarantee, member countries were required to deposit half of their foreign exchange reserves with the French Treasury, but this requirement was dropped in 2019 (effective in 2021) for the West African CFA franc. This requirement remains unchanged for
688-407: The provinces gaining autonomy. Ratsiraka announced on 26 June 2001 that he would be a candidate for the presidential election to be held in December of that year . In the election, he took second place; according to the government, Marc Ravalomanana won first place with 46% of the vote, while Ratsiraka took 40%. Because, according to the official results, no candidate won a majority, a runoff
731-519: The 1997 election. After the 2001 election, he and his opponent Marc Ravalomanana engaged in a lengthy standoff after the latter refused to participate in a runoff election; Ratsiraka eventually stepped down. Didier Ratsiraka was born in Vatomandry , Atsinanana Region, French Madagascar , on 4 November 1936. His father, Albert Ratsiraka, was a member of the Parti des déshérités de Madagascar in
774-679: The CFA franc since its introduction, despite the fact that they had never been French colonies. In 1998, in anticipation of Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union , the Council of the European Union addressed the monetary agreements France had with the CFA Zone and Comoros and ruled that: The currency has been criticized for making national monetary policy for the developing countries of French West Africa all but impossible, since
817-674: The CFA franc, and criticism continued from various African organizations. On 21 December 2019, President Alassane Ouattara of the Ivory Coast and President Emmanuel Macron of France announced an initiative to replace the West African CFA Franc with the Eco . Subsequently, a reform of the West African CFA franc was initiated. In May 2020, the French National Assembly agreed to end the French engagement in
860-578: The CFA franc: the West African CFA franc ( ISO 4217 currency code XOF), and the Central Africa CFA franc ( ISO 4217 currency code XAF). They are distinguished in French by the meaning of the abbreviation CFA. These two CFA francs have the same exchange rate with the euro (1 euro = 655.957 XOF = 655.957 XAF), and they are both guaranteed by the French treasury ( Trésor public ), but the two currencies are only legal tender in their respective member countries. The West African CFA franc ( XOF )
903-514: The CFA's value is pegged to the euro (whose monetary policy is set by the European Central Bank ). Others disagree and argue that the CFA "helps stabilize the national currencies of Franc Zone member-countries and greatly facilitates the flow of exports and imports between France and the member-countries". The European Union 's 2008 assessment of the CFA's link to the euro noted that "benefits from economic integration within each of
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#1732772818096946-546: The Central African CFA franc, which wasn't reformed in 2019 (the reform concerned only the West African CFA franc). The currency has been criticized for restricting the sovereignty of the African member states, effectively putting their monetary policy in the hands of the European Central Bank . Others argue that the CFA "helps stabilize the national currencies of Franc Zone member-countries and greatly facilitates
989-586: The Malagasy Revolution (FNDR). All politicians were required to be members of FNDR; AREMA was the dominant party in election results. In the midst of a poor economic situation, Ratsiraka abandoned socialist policies after a few years in power and implemented reforms recommended by the International Monetary Fund . He was re-elected as President with 80% of the vote in 1982 and with 63% of the vote in 1989. The latter election
1032-530: The National Assembly vote on 4 February 60 deputies voted for the impeachment motion, well short of the required 92. On 15 March 1998, a constitutional referendum was held and approved by a narrow majority of voters; this resulted in a major increase in the president's powers, enabling him to dissolve the National Assembly and appoint the prime minister and government without the National Assembly's agreement. It also provided for decentralization, with
1075-634: The Panorama Convention, which established a provisional government and stripped him of most of his powers; although he remained President, opposition leader Albert Zafy became head of the newly established High Authority of the State. Ratsiraka ran in the multiparty November 1992 presidential election , placing second behind Zafy in the first round. In the second round, held in February 1993, Ratsiraka lost to Zafy, taking about one-third of
1118-521: The UEMOA ( Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine , i.e., " West African Economic and Monetary Union "): These eight countries have a combined population of 147.6 million people (as of 2023), and a combined GDP of US$ 199.4 billion (as of 2023). The Central Africa CFA franc ( XAF ) is known in French as the Franc CFA , where CFA stands for Coopération financière en Afrique centrale ("Financial Cooperation in Central Africa"). It
1161-418: The West African CFA franc. The countries using the currency will no longer have to deposit half of their foreign exchange reserves with the French Treasury. The broader Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes the members of UEMOA, plans to introduce its own common currency for its member states by 2027, for which they have also formally adopted the name Eco . On April 25, 2023,
1204-462: The beginning of the 1960s. Since independence, CFA is taken to mean Communauté Financière Africaine (African Financial Community) or Coopération financière en Afrique centrale (see Institutions below). The CFA franc was created on 26 December 1945, along with the CFP franc . The reason for their creation was the weakness of the French franc immediately after World War II . When France ratified
1247-550: The court sentence that prevented him from returning to Madagascar, was resolved at the talks. Ratsiraka's nephew Roland Ratsiraka is also a politician. He became the mayor of Toamasina and ran unsuccessfully in the 2006 presidential election , placing third. Ratsiraka returned from exile on 24 November 2011, a move that was welcomed by the Rajoelina government as well as by former presidents (and former opponents) Ravalomanana and Zafy. Ratsiraka called for resolution of
1290-467: The flow of exports and imports between France and the member-countries". On 22 December 2019, it was announced that the West African currency would be reformed and replaced by an independent currency to be called Eco . In May 2020, the French National Assembly agreed to end the French engagement in the West African CFA franc, including the foreign reserve deposit requirements, thereby facilitating
1333-630: The new French franc in 1960 and the Euro in 1999). Exchange rate: The 1960 and 1999 events merely reflect changes of currency in use in France: the actual relative value of the CFA franc versus the French franc/euro only changed in 1948 and 1994. Over time, the number of countries and territories using the CFA franc has changed as some countries began introducing their own separate currencies. A couple of nations in West Africa have also chosen to adopt
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1376-723: The political crisis through direct talks between all four political leaders, talks that should also involve other parties and civil society groups according to him. Ratsiraka wrote a book with Cécile Lavrard-Meyer, a lecturer at Sciences Po in Paris, which was published by Éditions Karthala in July 2015. On 22 March 2021, Ratsiraka and his wife, Celine, were both admitted to the Soavinandriana Military Hospital (CENHOSOA) in Antananarivo , for treatment of
1419-405: The provinces and established himself at Toamasina , his primary support base. However, within a few months Ravalomanana had gained the upper hand in a struggle. In mid-June Ratsiraka went to France , leading many to believe he had fled into exile and lowering the morale of his supporters, although Ratsiraka said he would return. He did return to Madagascar after more than a week, but his position
1462-558: The runoff with 50.7% of the vote and took office again on 9 February 1997. Members of the opposition, including Zafy, unsuccessfully attempted to impeach Ratsiraka in February 1998, accusing him of violating the constitution through decentralizing reforms that would increase his own power at the expense of that of the National Assembly . The impeachment motion also accused him of perjury, nepotism, and failing to act as supreme arbiter of disputes, and it cited his ill-health. In
1505-542: The subject of the CFA franc was discussed at the ministerial meeting of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and France. The French perceive the guarantee provided to the CFA franc, and the assurance of its convertibility, as a pillar of economic stability for the region. France remains “open” and “available” to CEMAC proposals to reform monetary cooperation in Central Africa, as has happened in West Africa. [1] There are two different currencies called
1548-696: The transition to the Eco. Despite initial plans for a monetary union by late 2020, setbacks including the COVID-19 pandemic , global geopolitical uncertainties, and failure to meet criteria resulted in a postponement until 2027. CFA francs are used in fourteen countries: twelve nations formerly ruled by France in West and Central Africa (excluding Guinea and Mauritania , which withdrew), plus Guinea-Bissau (a former Portuguese colony), and Equatorial Guinea (a former Spanish colony). These fourteen countries have
1591-593: The two monetary unions of the CFA franc zone, and even more so between them, remained remarkably low" but that "the peg to the French franc and, since 1999, to the euro as exchange rate anchor is usually found to have had favourable effects in the region in terms of macroeconomic stability". Critics point out that the currency is controlled by the French treasury, and in turn African countries channel more money to France than they receive in aid and have no sovereignty over their monetary policies. In January 2019, Italian ministers accused France of impoverishing Africa through
1634-626: The vote, and left office on 27 March. Zafy was impeached by the National Assembly of Madagascar in 1996, and Ratsiraka, who had been in exile in France, mounted a political comeback in late 1996 when he won that year's presidential election , running as the candidate of the AREMA party. He came in first place in the first round with 36.6% of the vote, ahead of his three main opponents: Zafy, Herizo Razafimahaleo , and Prime Minister/Acting President Norbert Ratsirahonana . He narrowly defeated Zafy in
1677-423: Was a Malagasy politician and naval officer who was the third President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and the fifth from 1997 to 2002. At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving President of Madagascar . He was first appointed president in 1975 by the military leadership, he was then reelected twice in 1982 and 1989. While he lost to Albert Zafy in 1992, Ratsiraka returned to office after winning
1720-520: Was condemned as fraudulent by the opposition, which protested, and at least 75 people were killed in the resulting violence. Ratsiraka faced intense opposition to his rule in 1991. On 10 August 1991, tens of thousands people marched on the Presidential Palace, The government placed the death toll at 11, although other reports placed the toll higher. The incident severely undermined his already precarious position. On 31 October, he signed
1763-586: Was continuing to weaken militarily. On 5 July, Ratsiraka fled Toamasina, taking a flight to the nearby Seychelles . Two days later he arrived in France. On 6 August 2003, Ratsiraka—who was accused of stealing nearly eight million dollars in public funds from the annex of the central bank in Toamasina in June 2002, just before going into exile—was sentenced to ten years of hard labor in Madagascar. Because he
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1806-769: Was living in France, he was tried in absentia . The lawyer appointed for Ratsiraka by the court accepted the verdict and sentence as "fair" and said he would not appeal. On 4 August 2009, Ratsiraka met with President of the High Authority of Transition of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina , as well as Ravalomanana (who had himself been ousted and forced into exile) and former president of the Malagasy Republic Albert Zafy , in crisis talks mediated by former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano and held in Maputo . Ratsiraka's amnesty issue, related to
1849-474: Was to take place, but due to disputes over the election it was never held. Ravalomanana claimed to have won over 50 percent of the vote, enough to win the presidency in a single round. Ravalomanana was sworn in as President by his supporters on 22 February 2002, and the two governments fought for control of the country . By the end of February 2002, Ravalomanana had control over the capital, which had always been his base, but Ratsiraka largely maintained control over
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