Andry Rajoelina, outgoing president of Madagascar, finds himself at the heart of political news while the country is in the middle of the electoral campaign for the presidential election. Faced with the criticism and controversies surrounding his candidacy, Rajoelina decided to react. In an exclusive interview given to RFI and France 24, he answered questions from Marc Perelman and Laurent Correau, in order to clarify his position on several sensitive subjects.
One of the main controversies concerns the French nationality of Andry Rajoelina. Some political opponents have questioned his legitimacy as a candidate due to his dual nationality. Rajoelina claimed that his acquisition of French nationality was perfectly legal and did not prevent him from running in the presidential election. He stressed that he had renounced his French nationality before running in 2013, in accordance with Malagasy law, and that he subsequently reacquired it.
Another controversy concerns the alleged use of Predator spyware by Malagasy authorities. Rajoelina denied any involvement in the matter and said his government was completely transparent. He claimed that allegations that the software had been used to spy on political opponents were unfounded and that there was no evidence of such illegal activities.
Regarding the opposition demonstrations, Andry Rajoelina deplored the disproportionate use of force to disperse them. He called for peaceful dialogue between different political actors and expressed his desire to work for the good of all Malagasy people, regardless of their political affiliation.
Finally, Rajoelina responded to criticism that the opposition was seeking to prevent the presidential elections from taking place. He stressed that the electoral process took place in a transparent manner and that all measures had been taken to ensure the credibility of the vote.
In this interview, Andry Rajoelina sought to dispel the doubts and accusations surrounding his candidacy. He reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and his determination to lead Madagascar towards a prosperous future. As the country faces political, economic and social challenges, it remains to be seen whether Malagasy people will support Rajoelina’s re-election or opt for a change in leadership. The electoral campaign is in full swing and the outcome of the presidential election remains uncertain. Only time will tell if Andry Rajoelina will succeed in convincing voters to renew their confidence in him.