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

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, 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, 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.

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. In view of the inflamed political situation, the accident gave rise to suspicions of sabotage.

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). KARTHALA Editions. 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 10 August 2016 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.

v t e Prime ministers of Madagascar
Merina Kingdom (c. 1540–1897)	Andriamihaja Rainiharo Rainivoninahitriniony Rainilaiarivony Rainitsimbazafy Rasanjy
French Madagascar (1897–1958)	office abolished, 1897–1957 Tsiranana
Malagasy Republic (1958–75)	Tsiranana office abolished, 1959–72 Ramanantsoa office vacant, 1975
Democratic Republic of Madagascar (1975–92)	office abolished, 1975–76 Rakotomalala Rakotoniaina Rakotoarijaona Ramahatra Razanamasy
Third Republic of Madagascar (1992–2010)	Razanamasy Ravony Rakotovahiny Ratsirahonana Rakotomavo Andrianarivo Sylla Rasolondraibe Rabemananjara
High Transitional Authority (2009–2014)	Roindefo Mangalaza Manorohanta Vital Beriziky
Fourth Republic of Madagascar (2014–present)	Kolo Ravelonarivo Solonandrasana Ntsay
* Acting

• 1929 births
• 1976 deaths
• Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar politicians
• Malagasy military personnel
• Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Madagascar
• Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1976
• Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents
• State leaders killed in aviation accidents or incidents
• Prime ministers of Madagascar