The President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, announced on Wednesday that he will seek re-election in November, addressing a large crowd of supporters. This comes despite opposition claims that he should be disqualified from running on constitutional grounds. Madagascar is looking forward to its third peaceful election since the political turmoil of 2009, when Rajoelina orchestrated a coup against then-President Marc Ravalomanana, leading to an exodus of foreign investors from the country.
Rajoelina yielded to international diplomatic pressure and relinquished power in 2013 but was re-elected as President in 2019 after winning 66% of the vote in a run-off against Ravalomanana. During a speech at the Palace of Culture and Sport in the capital, Rajoelina stated, “This is where we will make history again. Here we will mark a new beginning. We are moving forward and we will not go back.” He also expressed confidence in his campaign for the upcoming election, saying, “Your president is ready to run and is ready to win.”
Opposition parties argue that Rajoelina should be prohibited from running due to his dual French nationality, which they claim automatically revokes his Malagasy nationality. In June, Le Monde reported that Rajoelina, his wife, and their three children had become naturalized French citizens, citing a 2014 French government decree signed by then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Rajoelina, however, contends that the constitution does not require the head of state to exclusively hold Malagasy nationality and asserts that any loss of nationality requires authorization from the government.
Although Madagascar possesses vast reserves of nickel, cobalt, gold, uranium, and other minerals, it remains one of the world’s poorest countries and is particularly vulnerable to the severe impacts of climate change.
Among the more than 20 candidates who have submitted paperwork to compete in the November election are Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who governed the country from 2014 to 2018, and Marc Ravalomanana. The presidential mandate in Madagascar lasts five years and can be renewed once.
Reporting by Lova Rabary; Editing by Hereward Holland and Leslie Adler
Credit: The Star : News Feed
