 He held this position for nine years, serving under two presidents (Albert Zafy and Didier Ratsiraka) and a total of five prime ministers.In 2002, he was poisoned, and as a result, he stood down in late February 2002, playing no further part in the political struggle of that year.After 2002, he stayed out of the political arena, while remaining a member of the Congress Party for the Independence of Madagascar.