Ratsiraka in France: with impunity?

There was nothing else he could do. The former Malagasy President, Didier Ratsiraka, landed in France on Sunday, after a two-day layover in the Seychelles.

President Ravalomanana confirmed that, as soon as he discovered, on Friday, that the former dictator has flown to the Seychelles, he requested “a flight manifest listing all of the passengers of this aircraft, from the Seychellese authorities.” Ratsiraka fled the Great Island with fifteen of his collaborators, and family members, just as the governmental forces were about to take over Toamasina, his political, and ethnic stronghold.

The regular army currently controls the airports of Toamasina and Sainte Marie Island, awaiting impending reinforcements. Meanwhile, the inhabitants are preparing to welcome the new authorities, after six long months of socio-economic crisis. The special delegation president, who will replace the former governor, will be sworn-in this week. Lahady Samuel, the pro-Ratsiraka governor, and one of the key architects of the economic embargo over Antananarivo, is said to have taken refuge in East Fenerive, while other collaborators are being held on the Island of Mauritius. Betsimifara, the former Information Minister, was arrested in Madagascar.

Could his new departure for France mean freedom, and impunity for the former Head of State? The Malagasy politicians are currently attempting to find an answer to this burning question. President Ravalomanana”s economic adviser, Rabetsitonta, thinks that regardless of whether or not Ratsiraka is present, “they can always enter a judgment by default against him. In other words, Ratsiraka can be tried, convicted, and condemned in absentia.”

Translated by J. F. Razanamiadana