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Madagascar ex-president Ravalomanana arrested on return | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The former president of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, has been arrested on his return to the country after five years in exile in South Africa. | |
Tear gas was fired and security forces were seen outside his house before he was detained, a BBC reporter says. | |
Mr Ravalomanana's previous attempts to return were blocked by Andry Rajoelina, who seized power in 2009. | |
Last year, the rivals agreed not to contest elections intended to end years of political unrest. | |
Former Finance Minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina - an ally of Mr Rajoelina - become president in January. | |
Stability | Stability |
Before his arrest, Mr Ravalomanana told his supporters in the capital, Antananarivo: "I am here to support peace and democracy." | |
The BBC's Tim Healy in Antananarivo says security sources confirmed the arrest, which was reported on local news channels. | |
Mr Ravalomanana was ousted in 2009 following a military coup and two months of bloody protests that left more than 100 dead. | Mr Ravalomanana was ousted in 2009 following a military coup and two months of bloody protests that left more than 100 dead. |
He fled to Swaziland before later moving to South Africa. | He fled to Swaziland before later moving to South Africa. |
In 2010, he was sentenced in his absence to life imprisonment with hard labour over the deaths of 30 opposition protesters by his guards in February 2009. | In 2010, he was sentenced in his absence to life imprisonment with hard labour over the deaths of 30 opposition protesters by his guards in February 2009. |
Despite this, he made attempts to return home. In 2012, a plane taking him to Madagascar was turned back during the journey. | Despite this, he made attempts to return home. In 2012, a plane taking him to Madagascar was turned back during the journey. |
A spokesman for the South African department of international relations, Clayson Monyela, told news agency AFP he had no information on Mr Ravalomanana's return. | A spokesman for the South African department of international relations, Clayson Monyela, told news agency AFP he had no information on Mr Ravalomanana's return. |
Madagascar has become more politically stable following the elections in late 2013 that saw Mr Rajaonarimampianina elected president. | |
The elections were a bid to end Madagascar's economic paralysis after the international community imposed sanctions following the coup. | The elections were a bid to end Madagascar's economic paralysis after the international community imposed sanctions following the coup. |
The country was also allowed to rejoin the Southern African Development Community and African Union. | The country was also allowed to rejoin the Southern African Development Community and African Union. |
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