Aborted come back for President Ravalomanana: a NOTAM again

On Saturday, January 21st, at 14:10, Airlink Airways´ aircraft did not land at the international airport of Ivato. It did take off from Johannesburg, but never reached its destination. Landing either in Antananarivo or in any of Madagascar ´s four airports, namely Mahajanga, Taolagnaro, Toliara and Toamasina, was strictly forbidden to the pilot.

The decision taken by the HAT´s Presidency was made public at 13:45. The ASECNA ordered the aircraft transporting President Ravalomanana to leave Madagascar´s airspace in accordance with the NOTAM issued by the transitional Presidency. This was declared by Mrs. Hanitra Razafimanantsoa , the exiled president´s lawyers. In Ivato, thousands of the exiled president´s supporters were contained by the HAT´s General Ravalomanana´s men and denied access to the airport´s parking lots.
The HAT´s propaganda minister was, shortly before, pleased to win this particular chess game. He declared to the press that the aircraft flying President Ravalomanana home broke its course over the Mozambique Channel and completed a half turn. Meanwhile, breaking news concerning the NOTAM was broadcasted.

The HAT´s Minister Laurent Rahajason pointed at a military strategy. He denied it to be NOTAM as such, but merely an order to land in on another airfield in order to arrest Marc Ravalomanana. The aircraft would thereafter be allowed to resume its course and fly the other passengers to Ivato.
This official version was torn into pieces by the press which put the finger on a copy of the famous NOTAM. Mamy Rakotoarivelo declared subsequently: « Saying that this NOTAM does not exist is a fat lie” as well as the withdrawal of the Ravalomanana sphere from the cabinet, from the national unity government and from the transitional Parliament´s meeting.

Mrs. Hanitra Razafimanantsoa denounced this HAT led hindrance of the landing in Antananarivo as a « flagrant violation of the roadmap officially considered as a law ». « Ravalomanana has in no way been being the one interfering, but definitely the transitional leadership. This position definitely jeopardizes the very implementation of the roadmap. «