Roland Ratsiraka

Iarovana Roland Ratsiraka (born August 15, 1966) is a Malagasy politician.

Born in Antananarivo, Roland is the nephew of former President Didier Ratsiraka. He studied both in Madagascar and in France, before founding several companies.

In 1996, Roland's uncle appointed him Director of Propaganda for the Tamatave region. In 1998, he founded the regional political association Toamsina Tonga Saina (TTS), and was elected to the National Assembly of Madagascar as a Deputy for Toamasina. In 1999, he was elected as Mayor of the city, but the post was suspended in 2002.

In the municipal election held on November 23, 2003,[1] Ratsiraka, as the TTS candidate, was victorious, regaining his position as Mayor and defeating Barnest Andriamiarantsoa, the candidate of the ruling Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM). His victory was officially announced on December 8 by the provincial electoral court.[2]

Ratsiraka stood in the presidential election held on December 3, 2006, and he placed third, with 10.14% of the votes cast, according to final results. In his home province of Toamasina, he won 34.74% of the vote, two points less than the winner of the election, incumbent President Marc Ravalomanana. He also received significant support in Antsiranana Province, where he won 20.39% of the vote.[3] Following the release of the provisional results, which showed Ravalomanana winning in the first round, Ratsiraka, along with second place candidate Jean Lahiniriko, said that the results were false, and on December 11 he filed a challenge with the Constitutional High Court regarding the election.[4]

Ratsiraka was suspended as Mayor beginning on February 15, 2007,[5][6] initially for a period of one month.[6] On April 19, 2007, he was arrested and imprisoned for alleged corruption[5][7] related to garbage collection.[5] His supporters protested on his behalf in Toamasina, but after looting occurred they were banned from doing so.[8]

On October 5, 2007, Ratsiraka was given an 18-month deferred sentence; he was released on the same day.[9]

President Ravalomanana was forced to resign amidst a political crisis in March 2009, and opposition leader Andry Rajoelina took power. Rajoelina set up the High Transitional Authority (HAT) as the ruling body, and Ratsiraka was appointed as one of the HAT's 44 members on March 31, 2009.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Toamasina - Ville; Début d'une tension politique ?", Madagascar Tribune, N° 4513, November 24, 2003 (French).
  2. ↑ "Municipales à Toamasina I; Roland Ratsiraka, vainqueur officiel", Madagascar Tribune, N° 4526, December 9, 2003.
  3. ↑ 2006 presidential election results from the High Constitutional Court (French).
  4. ↑ Jonny Hogg, "Opposition to Challenge Madagascar Vote", Associated Press (sfgate.com), December 11, 2006.
  5. 1 2 3 "Roland Ratsiraka, le maire de Toamasina en Madagascar, placé sous mandat de dépôt", African Press Agency, April 19, 2007 (French).
  6. 1 2 "Le maire Roland Ratsiraka; Suspendu du 15 février au 15 mars", Madagascar Tribune, N° 5489, February 17, 2007 (French).
  7. ↑ "Roland Ratsiraka et six de ses compagnons, jetés en prison", Madagascar Tribune, N° 5538, April 20, 2007 (French).
  8. ↑ "FAST Update Madagascar: Trends in conflict and cooperation Apr - May 2007", Swiss Peace Foundation (reliefweb.int), May 31, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Malagasy opposition leader released from detention", African Press Agency, October 6, 2007.
  10. ↑ Andry Ratovo, "Un Tim et un Grad Iloafo dans la liste", L'Express de Madagascar, April 1, 2009 (French).

External links

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