Céline Ratsiraka

Céline Marthe Ratsiraka is a Malagasy politician, political figure, and wife of former President Didier Ratsiraka. Ratsiraka is the longest tenured First Lady of Madagascar in the country's history, having held the position from 1975 to 1993 and from 1997 until 2002.[1] She was an influential figure within the ruling Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar (AREMA) from the 1970s to the 1990s, especially within the party's left-wing.[2][3]

Céline Ratsiraka
First Lady of Madagascar
In role
February 9, 1997 – May 6, 2002
PresidentDidier Ratsiraka
Preceded bySahondra Ratsirahonana
Succeeded byLalao Ravalomanana
In role
June 15, 1975 – March 27, 1993
PresidentDidier Ratsiraka
Preceded byThérèse Ratsimandrava
Succeeded byThérèse Zafy
Personal details
Born
Céline Marthe Velonjara

French Madagascar
Political partyAREMA
Spouse(s)Didier Ratsiraka (m. 1964)
ChildrenOlga
Sophie
Annick
Xavier

Biography

Ratsiraka was born Céline Velonjara.[1] She was the daughter of Pascal Velonjara, a parliamentarian during the French colonial period and founder of the Parti des déshérités de Madagascar (PADESM).[3]

In 1964, she married Didier Ratsiraka, a young naval officer, at a Catholic ceremony presided over by Father Armand Gaëtan Razafindratandra.[1] The couple had four children: three daughters - Olga, Sophie, Annick - and one son, Xavier.[1]

Didier Ratsiraka took power in 1975 as President of the Supreme Revolutionary Council. During the rule of her husband from 1975 until 1993, Céline Ratsiraka became an influential figure in Malagasy politics and the regime's AREMA party as first lady and wife of the president.[2] Céline Ratsiraka and her sister, Hortense Raveloson Mahasampo, lead the left-wing of the AREMA party, which acted as a counterbalance to figures within the party's right flank, such as Pascal Rakotomavo and Rakotovao Razakaboana.[2] Ratsiraka and her sister also organized and led the party's women's wing, known as AREMA Women.[3] Additionally, Céline Ratsiraka also headed AREMA's cooperative movement, including an investment bureau called the PROCOOP.[3]

Didier and Céline Ratsiraka went into exile in France in July 2002, ending a seven month political crisis following the disputed 2001 presidential election between Ratsiraka and the eventual winner, Marc Ravalomanana.[4][5]

In April 2013, the Ratsirakas returned to Madagascar after living in exile in France for eleven years so her husband could contest the 2013 presidential election.[6] Ratsiraka was removed from the race by the electoral court in August 2013 for missing the six-month residency deadline.

References
  1. "Madagascar First ladies : De Justine à Voahangy, en passant par les deux Thérèse". Madagate.com. 2014-02-14. Archived from the original on 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  2. Marcus, Richard R. (2016-02-10). "The Politics of Institutional Failure in Madagascar's Third Republic". Lexington Books (Google Books). Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  3. Allen, Philip M.; Covell, Maureen (2016-02-10). "Historical Dictionary of Madagascar: Second Edition". Scarecrow Press. Archived from the original on 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  4. "Ratsiraka moots Madagascar return". BBC News. 2002-07-08. Archived from the original on 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  5. "Madagascar profile - Timeline". BBC News. 2018-05-04. Archived from the original on 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  6. Iloniaina, Alain (2013-04-27). "Former Madagascar president Ratsiraka to contest July election". Reuters News. Archived from the original on 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
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