- Title: MADAGASCAR: Former leader returns after nine years in exile
- Date: 24th November 2011
- Summary: NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READING: DIDIER RATSIRAKA " RETURN FROM EXILE" IN FRENCH
- Embargoed: 9th December 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Madagascar, Madagascar
- Country: Madagascar
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA8Y0UX8ZH90SW5M0KPTJLPDOM
- Story Text: Madagascar's former president Didier Ratsiraka returned home on Thursday (November 24), after nine years in exile in France.
The 75 year old Ratsiraka, accompanied by his wife and two daughters landed in the capital Antananarivo, to a warm welcome from a large crowd of supporters, who were waiving flags and cheering him.
"I would like to thank you, with all my heart I thank God that we are now seeing each other again after nine years and four months in exile," he said on his arrival.
Ratsiraka's return raises hopes that the country will come out an ongoing political crisis and economic slowdown that has gripped the island nation, since 2009 , after Andry Rajoelina overthrew then president Marc Ravalomanana.
Ratsiraka led Madagascar from 1975 to 1991, and again from 1996 to 2002, but went into exile in France, after a seven month long post-electoral dispute with former president Marc Ravalomanana.
Ratsiraka arrived three days after Madagascar's president named a new government, which was the opposition immediately rejected as illegal, throwing into question a road map towards an election next year.
The previous interim government resigned in October as part of a move required under the terms of a political deal signed by the Indian Ocean island's main political parties that is meant to pave the way for the election.
All but one of Madagascar's three main opposition parties signed the agreement, which diplomats said should make way for donor nations to formally recognise Rajoelina's leadership for the first time since he seized power from Ravalomanana in 2009.
Malagasies are hopeful that Ratsiraka's return means that he will play a greater role in government, to help bring an end to the country's political crisis.
"Because it's politics, and this is a politician who has come back, I think that his return will have a positive impact on the lives of the people I don't know why he is returning now, but when it comes to politics, we should expect greater things now that he is back," said one Antananarivo resident, Patrice Rndriambelo.
"I am very happy because during Ratsiraka 's rule, we didn't suffer as much as we are right now," said Albert Rajaozafy, another Antananarivo resident.
While Ratsiraka's return was welcomed by the current leaders, the return of Ravalomana remains uncertain, as he faces prison if he returns, after being sentenced in absentia for the the killings of supporters. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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