Arrest of Romy Andrianarisoa, Malagasy chief of staff, on suspicion of corruption
In a surprising announcement, the Malagasy presidency revealed that it was terminating the functions of its chief of staff, Romy Andrianarisoa, following her arrest in London on suspicion of corruption. The move comes as the country prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
The presidency informed that Romy Andrianarisoa was not on an official mission for the Malagasy State at the time of her arrest and that the reasons for her trip to the United Kingdom remain unknown. However, she was relieved of her duties with immediate effect, thus signifying the dissociation of the State vis-à-vis her former collaborator.
This corruption case sparked strong reactions in Madagascar, putting the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, in a delicate position. While the election period is fast approaching, he has not yet announced his candidacy. Political opponents and organizations such as Transparency International in Madagascar have called for an investigation to clarify accusations of abuse of office and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Transparency International’s Executive Director in Madagascar, Ketakandriana Rafitoson, underscored the importance of this case for Malagasy justice and for anti-corruption efforts in the country. She recalled previous cases of corruption that were either badly handled or went unpunished, and expressed the hope that this case will be dealt with in an efficient and transparent manner.
Romy Andrianarisoa and Philippe Tabuteau, a Frenchman at the head of a business and public affairs consulting firm, have been remanded in custody until their scheduled hearing on September 8. The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on the Malagasy political scene and on the fight against corruption in the country.
It is essential to emphasize that the presumption of innocence must prevail in this case and that all parties involved must be heard fairly