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Regional powers urge Madagascar's Rajoelina not to run in polls

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 16:29
Southern Africa's regional bloc SADC on Friday urged Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina not to run in upcoming elections to ensure peace and stability on the troubled island. The presidents of South Africa and Tanzania, Jacob Zuma and Jakaya Kikwete, also called on the wife of Madagascar's ousted leader and an ex-president to pull out of July polls meant to end a four-year political stalemate.

Regional leaders urge Madgascar's Rajoelina not to run in polls

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 16:28
Southern Africa's regional bloc SADC on Friday urged Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina not to run in upcoming elections to ensure peace and stability on the troubled island. The presidents of South Africa and Tanzania, Jacob Zuma and Jakaya Kikwete, also called on the wife of Madagascar's ousted leader and an ex-president to pull out of July polls meant to end a four-year political stalemate.

Madagascar's Rajoelina refuses to withdraw candidacy

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 14:47
Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina has ignored a request by Southern Africa's regional bloc SADC not to run in upcoming elections, saying that it is up to the people whether he should stand for president. "The Malagasy people must be left to decide who they will choose to lead the country. We want an inclusive and non-discriminatory election," Rajoelina told media Monday. It was "not the time" to "create other problems", he said.

Madagascar election set for July despite mediator's unease

May 7, 2013 11:11
By Alain Iloniaina ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar will go ahead with a planned presidential election in July, an international mediator said on Sunday, days after the leader of the Indian Ocean island reneged on a promise not to run. Andry Rajoelina, who seized power in a coup in 2009, had said in January he would not put his name forward, bowing to pressure from regional powers to stand aside to prevent unrest in this year's vote.

Madagascar president Rajoelina to run in July vote, breaks promise not to

May 7, 2013 11:11
By Alain Iloniana ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's president Andry Rajoelina will run in July's election, an official list of presidential candidates showed on Friday, reneging on an agreement he would not do so. Rajoelina, who seized power in a coup in 2009, had said in January he would not put his name forward, bowing to pressure from regional powers to stand aside to prevent unrest in this year's vote on the Indian Ocean island.

Madagascar strongman registers for election

Agence France-PresseMay 3, 2013 12:46
Madagascar's president Andry Rajoelina has registered as a candidate for upcoming elections, documents showed Friday, despite an earlier vow to step aside in a bid to end the island's political crisis. A list of presidential candidates published by the Special Electorial Court showed Rajoelina, who came to power in a 2009 coup, among the 41 approved candidates for the July 24 vote. In January the 38-year-old former disc jockey said he would step back from the race, as a way of breaking Madagascar's crippling political deadlock.

Wife of ousted Madagascar leader bids for presidency

Agence France-PresseApril 25, 2013 11:46
The wife of ousted Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana on Thursday filed papers to run in July's presidential elections, the latest twist in a long-running political crisis in the island nation. Lalao Ravalomanana submitted the documents amid applause from hundreds of supporters of her husband's former ruling party, who gathered outside the electoral commission offices. "We thank God that we have finally filed the candidature papers," she said accompanied by her son Tojo and party officials.

Madagascar crooks demand ransom for 'wrong' hostage

April 17, 2013 11:02
Kidnappers in Madagascar are demanding $320,000 to free a French hostage, despite admitting they had intended to snatch his colleague, police said Wednesday. Francois Raphael, director of construction firm Henri Fraise, was kidnapped from his car by four balaclava-clad men armed with a Kalashnikov and an automatic pistol on Monday evening. The kidnappers contacted his wife on Tuesday and apologised, saying they had wanted to kidnap the company's chairman who is currently in New York. But the gang is still seeking a ransom for his release.

Wife of Madagascar's ex-leader tapped for presidential bid

April 16, 2013 08:17
The wife of ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana has been named presidential candidate in Madagascar's elections due in July, the former ruling party has announced. Lalao Ravalomanana was picked as the candidate of her husband's political party at a weekend meeting, party officials said Monday. "It was absolutely a natural consensus between members of the Ravalomanana Movement and (ex)-president Ravalomanana," Mamy Rakotoarivelo, a representative of the party told AFP.

Ousted Madagascar leader's wife allowed to return home

March 12, 2013 06:45
The wife of ousted Madagascar leader Marc Ravalomanana returned home Tuesday after her exiled husband's political rival granted her permission to visit her sick mother."Lalao Ravalomanana arrived on Malagasy territory this morning at about five o'clock in the morning (0200 GMT)," Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, the former leader's lawyer, told AFP.Her husband is barred from returning and has been in exile in South Africa since being forced from power in 2009.The couple have tried unsuccessfully several times to return to Madagascar, with authorities believing that their return could spark unrest.The
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