Madagascar: Arrest and release of candidate Jean-Jacques Ratsietison during demonstrations
At the heart of the tensions agitating the Malagasy political scene, the presidential election candidate Jean-Jacques Ratsietison was arrested and then released as part of the demonstrations which took place on Saturday November 4. This arrest, followed by his release early in the evening, reflects the growing tension in the capital as the first round of the presidential election approaches.
The collective of candidates, bringing together 11 of the 13 competitors for the presidency, demands the disqualification of former president Andry Rajoelina due to his French naturalization in 2014 as well as the reorganization of the election management bodies. Since September, the collective has multiplied demonstrations to assert its demands.
During the last demonstration, the collective called on its supporters to gather on the Place du 13 Mai, despite its ban. It was during this demonstration that Jean-Jacques Ratsietison was arrested by the police for inciting illegal demonstrations and creating unrest.
The arrest of the candidate sparked strong reactions from his colleagues in the collective. Auguste Paraina, another candidate, denounces a situation of dictatorship and questions the methods used by the authorities. He also emphasizes that this arrest illustrates a tense political climate in Madagascar.
Jean-Jacques Ratsietison, upon his release, declared that he was still subject to the secrecy of the investigation. He also spoke about the charges against him, calling some of them too heavy, such as attempted coup. He was also questioned about his dual nationality, saying that unlike Andry Rajoelina, his French nationality was passed to him by descent and was never hidden.
This arrest follows the arrest of 11 people during the demonstration, five of whom were placed in prison and the others under judicial supervision. Their trial is scheduled for November 9.
Despite these arrests and the persistent tensions, the collective of candidates does not back down and promises to reiterate its attempt to take the place of May 13 in the coming days.
This arrest and the current political tensions in Madagascar demonstrate the complexity of the electoral process in the country and the issues that arise from it. As candidates continue to fight for their rights and demand transparency in elections, the country is plunged into a tense political situation, with the international community called upon to respond.