ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar: Madagascar’s new ruler told France 24 on Friday that he wanted former President Andry Rajoelina to stand trial for “crimes” including the shooting of demonstrators in unrest that led him to flee in October.
Col. Michael Randrianirina also said in an interview with the French broadcaster that he remained committed to a plan to call new elections in the Indian Ocean island within two years.
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Col. Michael Randrianirina said his administration’s plan for Madagascar included a national consultation starting next week, followed by a constitutional referendum and elections within two years.
Youth-led demonstrations that started in September against persistent water and power shortages snowballed into a protest movement that the government tried to stop with a crackdown, which left many people dead and injured.
After Randrianirina’s CAPSAT army unit announced its support for the protesters on Oct. 14, Rajoelina fled with the help of French forces, and his whereabouts are still not known.
France’s role in secretly helping Rajoelina to escape had outraged people who wanted him to stand trial, although it had also “stabilized” the situation, said the army colonel, who was sworn in as president on Oct. 17.
“There were injuries, there were human losses. Our wish is to try him in Madagascar,” he told France24.
“Everything that happened in Madagascar stems from the president’s initiatives, the president’s orders, even the bullet wounds. These are crimes that could be subject to trial,” he said, accusing the former leader of impoverishing the nation.
Rajoelina’s wealthy businessman ally Maminiaina “Mamy” Ravatomanga, who fled to neighboring Mauritius as the tensions mounted, should also face justice, the colonel said.
“Our resources have been plundered,” he said.
Randrianirina said his administration’s plan for Madagascar included a national consultation starting next week, followed by a constitutional referendum and elections within two years.
Asked if he would stand for election, he said: “Right now, I am working, and I am not thinking about being a candidate at this time.”
The colonel also denied that he had seized control in a coup, saying the Constitutional Court had “transferred power” to him.
After speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron last month, he had agreed to accept support from France, the colonel said.
Asked about the National Assembly president’s recent trip to Moscow, he said, “We are open to all types of collaboration.”
