Deposed Malagasy president Marc Ravalomanana will return to the country this month, his supporters have said.
The Antananarivo newspaper, Midi Madagasikara, reports that Louis Rakotoamboa, the national president of the TEZA organization, said Ravalomanana, whom his supporters call the leader of the “legaliste” in Madagascar, would return by June 26.
Rakotoamboa said if the transitional administration, HAT (the acronym of its official name in French), resisted his return, United Nations and Southern African Development Community forces would be called in.
Midi Madagasikara also reported that Admiral Didier Ratsiraka, who was deposed and forced into exile by Ravalomanana in 2002, would also return. Ratsiraka has now become an ally of Ravalomanana.
However, the newspaper questions whether the two will actually return, given recent difficulties in attempts by international mediators to negotiate a settlement of the crisis caused by the ousting of Ravalomanana in March by former Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina.
In another report, the newspaper said that Rajoelina – who is now head of the transitional government – has made it clear that Ravalomanana was no longer welcome in Madagascar.
Rajoelina reportedly made it clear that Ravalomanana was to remain in exile and should forget any thought of ever returning to power.
And in another development, L'Express de Madagascar reports that a court in Madagascar has imposed a four-year jail sentence on Ravalomanana on charges resulting from the purchase of a presidential plane.
According to an announcement by justice minister Christine Razanamahasoa, Ravalomanana and his finance minister, Haja Nirina Razafinjatovo, will not only serve a four-year jail term but will be required to pay U.S. $70 million.
She also said an arrest warrant has been issued against the former head of state. L'Express reports that the court’s decision has raised mixed reactions amongst both his supporters and other political parties. Some believe it was a decision arrived at without due process, and that it was a more of a political than a judicial decision.
The purchase of the presidential plane in 2008 was what sparked protests by Rajoelina. Judicial officials say other cases are pending against Ravalomanana, including one arising from the deaths of protestors during the rebellion that led to his ousting.
Summary translated and compiled by Michael Tantoh.
