Benja Razafimahaleo

Razafimahaleo is the brother of Herizo Razafimahaleo, a major political figure from the 1990s and former president of the LEADER-Fanilo political party, who died in 2008. Benja was Director-General of Sacimem for a time.^[2] Following Herizo's death, LEADER-Fanilo's national council chose Manassé Esoavelomandroso as the party's National President in early September 2008, while Benja Razafimahaleo was chosen as one of four vice-presidents.^[3]

Razafimahaleo was appointed Minister of Finance and the Budget in the rival government of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina on 10 February 2009.^[2] As the political crisis involving Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana escalated, Rajoelina's supporters installed Razafimahaleo in the Finance Ministry with the help of the military on 12 March 2009.^[4][5] Rajoelina took over the Presidency with the military's assistance a few days later.^[6]

Razafimahaleo was dismissed from the government on 8 September 2009.^[7]