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In an attempt at restoring unity, Ramanantsoa, on February 5, 1975, turned
over power to Colonel Richard Ratsimandrava (a Merina with a less
"aristocratic" background). Five days later, Ratsimandrava was
assassinated, and a National Military Directorate was formed to restore order by
declaring martial law, strictly censoring political expression, and suspending
all political parties.
The political transition crisis was resolved on June 15, 1975, when the
National Military Directorate selected Lieutenant Commander Didier Ratsiraka as
head of state and president of a new ruling body, the Supreme Revolutionary
Council (SRC). The choice of Ratsiraka allayed ethnic concerns because he was a côtier
belonging to the Betsimisaraka ethnic group. In addition, Ratsiraka--a dedicated
socialist--was perceived by his military peers as a consensus candidate capable
of forging unity among the various leftist political parties (such as AKFM and
Monima), students, urban workers, the peasantry, and the armed forces.
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