- Andrianafidisoa
Andrianafidisoa, popularly known as Fidy, is a retired military general, and a former Director of the National Mines and Strategic Industries Office (OMNIS),"Eight presidential candidates offer support to renegade general", "L'Express de Madagascar" web site, November 23, 2007.] who allegedly attempted a coup d'état against the government of
Marc Ravalomanana inMadagascar onNovember 18 ,2006 .Alain Iloniaina, [http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-19T130501Z_01_BAN947085_RTRIDST_0_OZATP-MADAGASCAR-20061119.XML "Madagascar hunts for renegade general after coup bid"] , Reuters, November 19, 2006.] Prior to the alleged coup attempt, in October 2006 Andrianafidisoa had been barred from running for president in the election scheduled forDecember 3 ,2006 , for not paying the required deposit of 25,000,000ariary . [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/madagascar/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=AFP85336candielleit0 "14 candidats autorisés à se présenter à la présidentielle"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), October 18, 2006.] Andrianafidisoa had earlier supported Ravalomanana in his struggle againstDidier Ratsiraka over election results in 2002, [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=61615 "Attempted "coup" fizzles in desire for peaceful poll"] , IRIN, November 20, 2006.] and led an attack by pro-Ravalomanana forces onFianarantsoa 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 fromEurope , was diverted toMahajanga . [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/18/africa/AF_GEN_Madagascar_Election_Tension.php "Retired Madagascar army general calls for military support against president"] , Associated Press, November 18, 2006.] 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. On
November 22 , Andrianafidisoa received the backing of eight of the 14 presidential candidates, who said he was defending the constitution and the interests of the nation. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6177942.stm "Support for Madagascar 'coup bid'"] , BBC News, November 23, 2006.]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
December 12 at a hotel, and that he did not resist. [Alain Iloniaina, [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1165995901478B253 "Madagascar captures renegade general "Fidy""] , Reuters, December 13, 2006.] Several guns, along with ammunition, were found with him. Police began interrogating Andrianafidisoa onDecember 14 . [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15772861.htm "Madagascar starts interrogation of renegade general"] , Reuters, December 15, 2006.] 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 onFebruary 2 ,2007 , and stated his intention to appeal the verdict. [ [http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=20298 "Madagascar : Gen. Fidy sentenced to 4 years imprisonment Friday"] , African Press Agency, February 2, 2007.] OnFebruary 20 , he received an additional three-year prison sentence. [ [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=21666 "Court sentences Malagasy dissident General to 3 years imprisonment"] , African Press Agency, February 21, 2007.]ee also
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2006 Malagasy coup d'état attempt References
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