Madagascar’s former leader detained after return

Madagascar's exiled former leader Marc Ravalomanana was detained yesterday after returning to the Indian Ocean island for the first time since he was deposed in a coup in 2009.

Ravalomanana, exiled to South Africa, had tried returning several times since 2009 but was prevented by the authorities, who feared his homecoming would bring further instability to the island, which has a long history of coups.

“It’s for his safety that he was arrested,” said President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who took office in January. “Besides, it’s not an arrest but rather placement in a supervised area to ensure his safety.”

Madagascar is recovering from a crisis triggered by the coup five years ago, when donors withheld aid and investors fled. The World Bank and other donors restarted aid programmes after the peaceful election last year. – (Reuters)