Joël Rakotomalala

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

His Excellency Colonel Joël Rakotomalala
9th Prime Minister of Madagascar
In office 11 January 1976 – 30 July 1976
President	Didier Ratsiraka
Preceded by	Office Reestablished
Succeeded by	Justin Rakotoniaina
Personal details
Born	29 March 1929 Toliara Province, French Madagascar
Died	30 July 1976 (aged 47) Antsirabe, Democratic Republic of Madagascar
Cause of death	Helicopter Accident
Nationality	Malagasy
Political party	AREMA

Biography

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

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] The crash was caused either by sabotage or mechanical failure, in view of the ASN database on the safety of Aérospatiale Alouette III.[2]

References

1. 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). p. 458. ISBN 978-2-8111-0491-7.
2. 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).