Andry Rajoelina
Andry Rajoelina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of the High Authority of Transition of Madagascar[1] | |
| Assumed office 17 March 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Monja Roindefo |
| Preceded by | Marc Ravalomanana (as President) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 30, 1974 Antananarivo, Madagascar |
| Political party | Young Malagasies Determined |
| Spouse | Mialy Rajoelina |
| Profession | Entrepreneur |
Andry Nirina Rajoelina (born May 30, 1974)[2] is a Malagasy politician and television and radio station owner.[3] Rajoelina dissolved Madagascar's parliament, changed the high court judges and sworn himself in as transitional head of state of Madagascar on March 21, 2009, having been installed in that position by the military at the end of a political crisis.[4] Rajoelina was Mayor of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, from December 2007 to February 2009.[5] While serving as Mayor, he strongly opposed President Marc Ravalomanana, ultimately leading protests that, together with military intervention, resulted in Ravalomanana's resignation.
Early career
Rajoelina personal fortune derives from his the wealth of his wife's family.[6] The son of a colonel[7] and a high school drop-out, by age 20 Rajoelina was working as a disc jockey in various clubs and bars of Antananarivo.[6] He soon gained prominence after establishing his own radio station, Viva Radio, and a successful advertising company.[6] He earned the nickname "TGV" after the French high-speed rail service.[6]
Political career
As the head of the movement TGV - Tanora malaGasy Vonona (Determined Malagasy Youth), Rajoelina decided to run for mayor of Antananarivo, the national capital. He faced Hery Rafalimanana, presidential candidate and previous mayor of the city. He did so under the status of President of Special Delegation (PDS), appointed directly by President Marc Ravalomanana. Rajoelina was elected mayor on 12 December 2007 with 63.3% of the vote. He inherited a city heavily indebted.
On 4 January 2008, shortly after his election, the state-run company Jirama cut off water and electricity to the city, citing bad debts as the reason.[citation needed]
Clash with the President Ravalomanana
On 13 December 2008, the Government decided to close Rajoelina's Viva TV, stating that a Viva interview with former head of state Didier Ratsiraka was "likely to disturb peace and security." The programme was also broadcast by other television channels. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the 17 December 2008 closure of Viva and of other television and radio stations.[8]
On 31 January 2009, Rajoelina announced that he was in charge of the entire Malagasy Republic, declaring at a rally, "Since the president and the government have not taken their responsibility, I therefore proclaim that I will run all national affairs as of today." He added that a request for President Ravalomanana to formally resign would shortly be filed with the Parliament of Madagascar.[9] On 3 February, Rajoelina was dismissed as Mayor and a special delegation, headed by Guy Randrianarisoa, was appointed. Rajoelina denounced the decision, saying that there was "no valid reason" and that he was prepared to face arrest if necessary; he warned that the city would not accept the decision.[10]
Rajoelina held another rally on 4 February, with about 1,500 people in attendance. On that occasion he described the appointment of Randrianarisoa as "an insult to the people of Madagascar." He instead designated Michele Ratsivalaka to succeed him as mayor and gave her his mayoral scarf.[5] By early February the political protests had turned increasingly aggressive and both rivals at the centre of the political storm continued to blame each other for the violence that had left some 130 people dead.[11][12] On 7 February, heavily armed security forces opened fire on anti-government demonstrators marching on the presidential palace.[13]
Assumption of presidency
Rajoelina was effectively handed the presidency on 18 March 2009, when the military handed over the executive power that was given to it by Ravalomanana upon his supposed resignation. Rajoelina, as head of the High Transitional Authority which he had created weeks before Ravalomanana's resignation, is expected to serve as head of state until the scheduled 2011 elections. He is the youngest president in the country's history at 34 years of age. The current constitution requires presidential candidates to be a minimum of 40 years of age.[14] Rajoelina has announced that, within 24 months, there will be a new constitution and elections.[14]
On 15 March, two days before Ravalomanana's resignation, Rajoelina announced after Sunday service at the main Antananarivo Roman Catholic cathedral that he would not mix religion with politics.[15]
The Southern African Development Community, a bloc of 15 nations including Madagascar, announced on 19 March that it would not recognize Rajoelina's presidency.[16] His ascension to the presidency was also condemned by the European Union and the United States,[17] and the African Union suspended Madagascar and threatened sanctions if the constitutional government had not been restored in six months.[18]
Rajoelina held his inauguration on 21 March amid growing international opposition with foreign diplomats visibly absent at the ceremony.[19] Madagascar is heavily dependent on foreign aid and large donors, including the US and Norway, have withdrawn assistance in protest of the manner in which Rajoelina attained power. France, Madagascar's former colonial power, dismissed Rajoelina's presidency as "a coup d'état".[20]
One of his first measures as President was to cancel a deal with Daewoo Logistics which would have led a large tract of area in Madagascar to be leased out to South Korea for agricultural purposes. Opponents of the deal had described it as an act of neo-colonialism.[21] Announcing the decision, Rajoelina stated "We are not against the idea of working with investors, but if we want to sell or rent out land, we have to change the constitution, you have to consult the people."[22] Rio Tinto were among several firms to state that they did not expect the coup to have an effect on existing contracts in the country.[23]
References
- ^ http://rulers.org/rulm1.html#madagascar
- ^ Reuters (2009-03-21). "FACTBOX-Madagascar's de facto President Rajoelina. Rajoelina, who came to power through a military coup that was condemned by most of the international community,". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Andry Rajoelina New York Times March 17, 2009
- ^ International community shuns swearing-in of new Madagascar president Guardian UK March 21, 2009
- ^ a b "Hundreds protest Madagascar mayor's sacking", AFP, 4 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d Christina Corbett (2009-03-21). "The DJ who has become Africa's youngest president". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Ville D'Antanarivo". Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ DJ-turned mayor a thorn for government IOL
- ^ "Mayor 'takes control' in Madagascar", Al Jazeera
- ^ "Madagascar sacks capital city mayor", AFP, 3 February 2009.
- ^ MADAGASCAR: Protesters on the streets in fourth day of violence. Irin News (2009-03-23). Retrieved on 2009-03-23.
- ^ "Political violence toll now 130". Reuters. Integrated Regional Information Networks. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
- ^ "Political violence toll now 130". IRIN.
- ^ a b "Madagascar president forced out". BBC. 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
- ^ Madagascan opposition leader promises not to mix religion with politics, Xinhua
- ^ "Southern African Nations Refuse to Recognize Madagascar Leader". VOA News. 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Tighe, Paul (2009-03-20). "Madagascar Army-Backed Leadership Change Denounced by EU, U.S." Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "A coup that is not yet irreversible", The Economist, p. 56, March 28- April 3
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "MADAGASCAR: International community deserts Rajoelina". IRIN.
- ^ "MADAGASCAR: International community deserts Rajoelina". IRIN.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7953617.stm
- ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSLI8971720090318
- ^ UPDATE 1-Mining, oil firms upbeat on new Madagascar govt. Reuters (2009-03-18). Retrieved on 2009-03-24.
- Madagascar's 'militant mayor'. Jonny Hogg, BBC News. 3 February 2009
- Mayor Declares a Coup in Madagascar. BARRY BEARAK, The New York Times. 31 January 2009