The Ministry of National Defense () is a ministry of the Government of Madagascar. This ministry is responsible for military and defense of the country.
History On February 10, 2021, the council of ministers in the Malagasy Ministry of National Defense voted to adopt a decree that would establish a new intervention unit in the Malagasy Armed Forces, called the Special Intervention Forces Group (Malagasy: Groupement des Forces spéciales d’intervention, GFSI). It was indicated that this unit would be made up of mixed elements from the Malagasy Army, Madagascar Navy, and Malagasy Air Force.Midi Madagasikara (February 11, 2021) "Ministère de la Défense Nationale : Création du « Groupement des forces spéciales d’intervention »" Midi Madagasikara, Midi Madagasikara, 2025, https://midi-madagasikara.mg/ministere-de-la-defense-nationale-creation-du-groupement-des-forces-speciales-dintervention/, Date accessed: October 7, 2026 The GFSI was officially established on October 19, 2023, which is responsible for defending national institutions and national sovereignty, combating dahalo and abduction, and assist in dismantling networks of traffickers of national resources.2424.mg News & Reports (October 20, 2024) "Le Groupement des forces spéciales d’intervention fête son premier anniversaire" 2424.mg, 2424.mg, 2020, https://2424.mg/le-groupement-des-forces-speciales-dintervention-fete-son-premier-anniversaire/, Date accessed: October 7, 2026Davis R. (October 21, 2024) "Dahalo, enlèvements, trafics de ressources : Rajoelina ordonne l’intervention du Groupement des Forces Spéciales" Midi Madagasikara, Midi Madagasikara, 2025, https://midi-madagasikara.mg/rajoelina-ordonne-lintervention-du-groupement-des-forces-speciales/, Date accessed: October 7, 2026
List of ministers Name Tenure Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa May 1972 – February 1975 Col. Richard Ratsimandrava February 1975 Gen. Gilles Andriamahazo February – June 1975 Lt-Cdr. Didier Ratsiraka June 1975 – January 1976 Col. Joel Rakotomalala January – August 1976 Lt-Col. Mampila Joana August 1976 – 1977 Adm. Guy-Albert Sibon 1977–1986 Gen. Mahasampo Raveloson 1986–1991 Gen. Evariste Razafitombo February – August 1991 Gen. Jean Ravelomitsanga August – November 1991 Gen. Désiré Ramakavelo November 1991 – August 1993 Gen. Charles Louis Rabenja August 1993 – November 1995 Gen. Jackson Tiamana November 1995 – June 1996 Gen. Marcel Ranjeva June 1996 – March 2002 Gen. Jules Mamizara April 2002 – January 2004 Gen. Petera Behajaina February 2004 – March 2007 Cécile Manorohanta April 2007 – February 2009 Adm. Mamy Ranaivoniarivo March – April 2009 Gen. Noêl Girardin Rakotonandrasana April 2009 – April 2010 Gen. André Lucien Rakotoarimasy May 2010 Gen. Dominique Jean Olivier Rakotozafy April 2014 – 2015 Dominique Jean Olivier Rakotozafy 2015 – 2016 Béni Xavier Rasolofonirina 2016 – 2017 Dominique Jean Olivier Rakotozafy 2017 Béni Xavier Rasolofonirina 2017 – 2019 Richard Rakotonirina 2019 – 2023 Josoa Rakotoarijaona 2023 – 2024 Lala Monja Delphin Sahivelo 2024–2025 Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo 2025 Maminirina Ely Razafitombo 2025 - Incumbent
See also Cabinet of Madagascar Madagascar Armed Forces
Notes
References