Madagascar’s security chiefs said on Tuesday that they firmly opposed the return of exiled former president Marc Ravalomanana, as urged by southern African leaders, and would act against it.
“The Malagasy security forces composed of the army, the national gendarmerie and the national police … firmly oppose the immediate return of former president Marc Ravalomanana, to preserve public order and security,” they told reporters.
“The forces of order express their determination to take all measures necessary to put this declaration into effect,” they said.
The statement was signed by army chief Brigadier General Andre Ndriarijaona; gendarmerie commander Brigadier General Jean Bruno Razafindrakoto; and the head of the police, Inspector General Desire Ranaivoson.
They were reacting to a call at a weekend summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for political refugees, including Ravalomanana, to be allowed to return to Madagascar ahead of elections.
The 15-nation SADC, which is trying to resolve the crisis sparked by Ravalomanana’s ouster two years ago, urged the government of strongman Andry Rajoelina to let his rival return ahead of new polls.
It endorsed a “roadmap to bring Madagascar into constitutional normalcy,” a statement after the Johannesburg meeting said.
It “also urged (Rajoelina’s) high transition authority to allow Malagasy people in exile for political reasons to be allowed to return to the country unconditionally, including … Ravalomanana.”
Ravalomanana has been living in South Africa since stepping down in March 2009 amid violent street protests and handing power to the military — which promptly ceded it to Rajoelina, then the mayor of the capital Antananarivo.
The ousted president’s return has been a major sticking point in the mediation process.
Ravalomanana faces life in prison in Madagascar after being sentenced in absentia for the killing of demonstrators by his presidential guard during the protests that led to his overthrow.
He denies any wrongdoing. — AFP