Madagascar’s ex-leader Ravalomanana accepts defeat

Antananarivo, Madagascar | AFP | Former president Marc Ravalomanana has accepted defeat in Madagascar’s presidential election, a day after the country’s Constitutional Court confirmed Andry Rajoelina as the new leader of the Indian Ocean island nation.

Ravalomanana had lodged a complaint alleging widespread fraud in the December 19 run-off vote in which he won 44.3 percent to Rajoelina’s 55.7 percent.

But the court tossed out his case as “unfounded”.

“I congratulate and wish him every success in accomplishing the task he is given,” said Ravalomanana in a video clip released on social media.

“I have seen that the people of Madagascar are suffering, 92 percent live in poverty, they need help,” he said.

Madagascar is well known for its vanilla and precious redwood but is one of the world’s poorest nations, with 76 percent of people living in extreme poverty.

“It’s time for reconciliation, love, solidarity to be able to tackle the economic development of our dear country,” said the 69-year-old businessman and former president.

Last week riot police in the Indian Ocean island used tear gas to break up several protests by thousands of his supporters.

International election observers said they had not seen any evidence of significant wrongdoing.

Both former presidents and bitter rivals, the two were banned from running in the 2013 election as part of an agreement to end the recurring crises that have rocked Madagascar since it gained independence from France in 1960.

Rajoelina and Ravalomanana have been locked in a fiercely-personal duel for power.

Ravalomanana was first elected president in 2002 but was forced to resign seven years later by violent demonstrations supported by Rajoelina, who was mayor of the capital Antananarivo at the time.

Rajoelina, now 44, was installed by the army and ruled until 2014. He is a former events planner and successful entrepreneur with slick communication skills.