Ruphin Zafisambo

The native form of this personal name is Zafisambo Ruphin. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Army General
Ruphin Zafisambo
Zafisambo in 2025
29th Prime Minister of Madagascar
In office
6 October 2025 – 20 October 2025
PresidentAndry Rajoelina
Michael Randrianirina
Preceded byChristian Ntsay
Succeeded byHerintsalama Rajaonarivelo
Chief of Military Staff to the Prime Minister
In office
1 July 2020 – 6 October 2025
Prime MinisterChristian Ntsay
Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister
In office
27 March 2019 – 1 July 2020
Prime MinisterChristian Ntsay
Personal details
BornRuphin Fortunat Zafisambo Dimbisoa
Farafangana, Madagascar
EducationAntsirabe Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance Madagascar
Branch/serviceMadagascar Armed Forces
Years of service1991–present
Rank Army general

Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo Dimbisoa is a Malagasy general who served as the 29th prime minister of Madagascar in 2025. Having served in the role for two weeks, he is the shortest-serving prime minister in Malagasy history. Zafisambo was also the last prime minister to serve under the presidency of Andry Rajoelina, who was deposed in a 2025 coup.

Born in Farafangana, Zafisambo graduated from the Antsirabe Military Academy in 1991. He later carried out advanced military training in France and Algeria where he subsequently completed. In 2019, Zafisambo was appointed Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister under Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and served in this role until the following year where he was appointed Chief of Military Staff to the Prime Minister.

In 2025, amidst the 2025 Malagasy protests led by Gen Z, President Andry Rajoelina fired Ntsay and his government and appointed Zafisambo prime minister in an attempt to calm down the protesters. However, protests grew and on 14 October, Rajoelina was officially impeached by the National Assembly. Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the leader of the coup that followed the protests was installed as president. Thus, Zafisambo was the last prime minister to serve under Rajoelina. Just two weeks after being appointed prime minister, Zafisambo was replaced by Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo.

Biography

From the southeastern coastal town of Farafangana, he is of Antefasy heritage.[1] Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo is a career military officer in the Malagasy Army. He began his studies at the Antsirabe Military Academy in 1991. He continued his training with advanced military education in France.[2]

He subsequently completed his academic training in Algeria, in Montpellier, France, and in Madagascar.[3]

He held the position of Deputy Secretary General of the Government before being appointed, in 2020, as Chief of Military Staff to Prime Minister Christian Ntsay within the Prime Minister's Office.[3][4]

On 6 October 2025, he was appointed Prime Minister by the President of the Republic, succeeding Christian Ntsay, who was dismissed from his functions a week earlier due to mass protests.[5] His appointment came as a surprise, as his name was not on the lists of anticipated candidates previously circulating.[2] He formed the brief Zafisambo government.[6] He was succeeded by Colonel Michael Randrianirina.

References

  1. ^ "The hidden career of General Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo". Africa Intelligence. Indigo Publications. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Madagascar: le général Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo nommé Premier ministre". RFI (in French). 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Andry Rajoelina nomme un militaire comme Premier ministre, le général Ruphin Fortunat Zafisambo". Réunion la 1ère (in French). 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  4. ^ Rakotoarivelo, Julian (27 June 2020). "Mahazoarivo : Un général à la tête du cabinet civil -". Midi Madagasikara (in French). Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Madagascar president names military general as new prime minister". Reuters. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Madagascar president names army general as prime minister amid youth-led protests". Le Monde. 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
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