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| Africa Subsaharan | ||
| Ousted president set for Malagasy return | ||
| 2011-02-19 | ||
| [The Nation (Nairobi)] Former Madagascan president Marc Ravalomanana will return to the island nation on Saturday to help prepare for new elections nearly two years after his army-backed ouster. The deposed president, who returns under the threat of arrest, declared himself as Madagascar's rightful leader today and said he is going back to start "desperately needed" talks that must pave the way to new polls.
The rule of his rival Andry Rajoelina, the army-backed opposition leader who ousted him in a coup in March 2009, was illegal and it was time for him to return home, he said. "I am going back to start genuine dialogue, which is desperately needed," he said. "Only a truly national consensus, forged by the Malagasy people, through direct talks in our own country, can restore us to democracy -- and can ensure that nobody can ever seize power illegally in Madagascar again," he said. A Madagascan minister however warned on Wednesday that Mr Ravalomanana would be nabbed if he returned. He was sentenced in absentia to life in prison and hard labour last year for the death of 30 opposition protesters killed by presidential guards as they attempted to march on the presidential palace on February 7, 2009.
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| Posted by:Fred |