Madagascar revokes former President Andry Rajoelina’s citizenship
The new government announced on Friday that his citizenship was revoked because he had acquired French nationality in 2014, which contravenes Madagascar’s laws prohibiting dual nationality.
Former President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has been stripped of his citizenship after fleeing the country earlier this month amid widespread youth-led protests, according to Africa News.
The protests, which swept across major cities, were fueled by power and water outages, rising living costs, and allegations of corruption.
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Rajoelina left Madagascar after an elite military unit took control, citing threats to his life.
The new government announced on Friday that his citizenship was revoked because he had acquired French nationality in 2014, which contravenes Madagascar’s laws prohibiting dual nationality.
Michael Randrianirina, who assumed leadership on October 17, has pledged to hold elections within the next two years.
Randrianirina has said that a committee led by the military will rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections, although analysts doubt this can be guaranteed.
Rajoelina’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
In a related development, Rajoelina’s former advisor, businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga, was arrested in Mauritius on suspicion of laundering more than $160 million (about Sh20.7 billion) through assets in the country.
Ravatomanga, who also fled Madagascar following Rajoelina’s departure, was taken into custody by police and officials from the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) while seeking treatment at a private clinic in Port Louis.
"The FCC has reasonable grounds to believe that Ravatomanga, while being involved in the management of several entities in Mauritius, was in possession of property suspected to represent the proceeds of criminal activity," the spokesperson said.
Ravatomanga's lawyer, Siddartha Hawaldar, confirmed he was under arrest in the clinic, but did not comment on the accusations against him.
Rajoelina's final weeks in office were marked by demonstrations that brought thousands onto the streets across the country, to protest power and water outages, the cost of living and corruption.
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