Madagascar's former president flees to Seychelles after failing to retake power
The former president of Madagascar arrived in the Seychelles yesterday after his attempt to regain power failed, forcing him to flee the country.
Didier Ratsiraka was seen driving from the airport to a three-star beach hotel yesterday afternoon, riding in a Seychelles government vehicle with police escort. Hotel and security officials closed off the Coco d'Or Hotel to journalists and refused to comment.
Earlier an official at the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs said his government would neither confirm nor deny that Mr Ratsiraka had, or may in the future, seek asylum on the Indian Ocean archipelago. He said the ministry would not be issuing any comment on the matter. No other government official was available or willing to comment yesterday afternoon.
Madagascar had been plunged into turmoil after results were announced for the 16 December presidential elections that would have forced Marc Ravalomanana, then the opposition leader, into a run-off with Mr Ratsiraka, the incumbent.
Mr Ravalomanana said he won the election outright and took control of the capital, Antananarivo, where he was mayor, while Mr Ratsiraka moved his government to Toamasina, and seized control of much of the island nation's coastline.
A court-supervised recount in May showed Mr Ravalomanana won the poll, and he was sworn in as President. Mr Ratsiraka refused to recognise the recount and pledged to continue fighting. But that fight appeared to be ending yesterday morning, as forces loyal to Mr Ravalomanana were descending on Mr Ratsiraka's stronghold of Toamasina, a port town on the eastern coast of the country. Witnesses reported seeing Mr Ratsiraka, his family and close associates board an aircraft.
A worker at the Seychelles' international airport said Mr Ratsiraka's plane arrived at 2.05pm local time with 25 passengers, including his family and bodyguards. The group were kept in the airport's VIP lounge until 3.45pm, when the government vehicles took them directly to the hotel.
There was no indication that Mr Ratsiraka had met face-to-face any senior Seychelles officials.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments