Andrianafidisoa

Andrianafidisoa, popularly known as Fidy (died 6 October 2021), was a military general of the Army of Madagascar and a Director of the National Mines and Strategic Industries Office (OMNIS).[1] He allegedly attempted a coup d'état against Malagasy President Marc Ravalomanana on 18 November 2006.

Coup attempt

Prior to his alleged coup attempt, in October 2006 General Andrianafidisoa had been barred from running for president in the election scheduled for 3 December 2006, for not paying the required deposit of 25,000,000 ariary.[2] Andrianafidisoa had earlier supported Ravalomanana in his struggle against Didier Ratsiraka over election results in 2002,[3] and led an attack by pro-Ravalomanana forces on Fianarantsoa at that time.

While Ravalomanana was out of the country, Andrianafidisoa had leaflets distributed declaring military rule; he called Ravalomanana's government unconstitutional and went to a base at Ivato Airport, seeking support from soldiers. One soldier was reported killed in a clash there, and Ravalomanana's flight, returning from Europe, was diverted to Mahajanga.[4] Andrianafidisoa's takeover attempt failed, and he went into hiding or on the run; the government ordered his arrest and began searching for him. However, the general stated that "I am alive and I am not in hiding," on a telephone call to news organization Reuters. According to him, "Soldiers and politicians have got the message."

Subsequently, Andrianafidisoa denied that the events had been a coup attempt, describing this as a misinterpretation. He did, however, acknowledge that he had called Ravalomanana's government unconstitutional and that he called for him to resign.[3] On 22 November, Andrianafidisoa received the backing of eight of the 14 presidential candidates, who said he was defending the constitution and the interests of the nation.[1][5]

A $50,000 reward was offered for Andrianafidisoa's arrest. The secretary of state for public security said that Andrianafidisoa was taken by surprise and captured on 12 December at a hotel, and that he did not resist.[6] Several guns, along with ammunition, were found with him. Police began interrogating Andrianafidisoa on 14 December.[7] Andrianafidisoa pleaded not guilty during his trial, and he and his lawyers argued that he had not attempted a coup, but had instead acted as a "lone soldier" attempting to alert the president to the situation of the armed forces. He was sentenced to four years in prison on 2 February 2007, and stated his intention to appeal the verdict.[8] On 20 February, he received an additional three-year prison sentence.

Ravalomanana was forced out of office by a combination of popular protests and military intervention in March 2009. Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina then took over as President of the High Authority of the Transition and promptly pardoned Andrianafidisoa, along with many other political prisoners, on 26 March 2009.[9]

Death

Andrianafidisoa died on 6 October 2021 at the age of 57.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Eight presidential candidates offer support to renegade general", L'Express de Madagascar web site, 23 November 2007.
  2. "14 candidats autorisés à se présenter à la présidentielle" Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), 18 October 2006.
  3. "Attempted "coup" fizzles in desire for peaceful poll" Archived 29 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine, IRIN, 20 November 2006.
  4. "Retired Madagascar army general calls for military support against president", Associated Press, 18 November 2006.
  5. "Support for Madagascar 'coup bid'" Archived 29 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 23 November 2006.
  6. Alain Iloniaina, "Madagascar captures renegade general "Fidy"" Archived 4 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters, 13 December 2006.
  7. "Madagascar starts interrogation of renegade general" Archived 6 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters, 15 December 2006.
  8. "Madagascar : Gen. Fidy sentenced to 4 years imprisonment Friday", African Press Agency, 2 February 2007.
  9. Andry Ratovo, "Libération de 28 prisonniers politiques" Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, L'Express de Madagascar (allAfrica.com), 27 March 2009 (in French).
  10. "Forces armées : Le général Andrianafidisoa s'est éteint" [Armed forces: General Andrianafidisoa passed away]. Madagascar Tribune (in French). 6 October 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
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