Ex-Madagascar leader Didier Ratsiraka dies at 84

On Sunday, Madagascar's longtime former leader Didier Ratsiraka died at 84, President Andry Rajoelina announced.

"The Malagasy have lost an illustrious patriot," Rajoelina posted on Twitter.

[embed]https://twitter.com/SE_Rajoelina/status/1376101275763347457?s=08[/embed]

On his part, Ambassador of India to Madagascar & Comoros Abhay Kumar extended his deepest condolences to the family, people and Government of Madagascar.

[embed]https://twitter.com/AmbassadorAbhay/status/1376092320479711233?s=08[/embed]

The cause of the death has not been revealed yet.

Ratsiraka was a naval officer and instigator of a socialist revolution on the Indian Ocean island. He was in power from 1975 until 1991 and returned for another stint from 1997 to 2002.