Pety Rakotoniaina

Pety Rakotoniaina (born 14 October 1962 [http://tambatra.free.fr/pety-cv.php Pety Rakotoniaina et « Tambatra »] , Union fr icon] ) is a Malagasy politician.

Born in Ikalamavony, Rakotoniaina studied at the University of Fianarantsoa Madagascar. In 1993, he was elected to the National Assembly as a Deputy of the Militants for the Progress of Madagascar (MFM) for the Ikalamavony district, winning 57% of the vote. He was re-elected with 83% of the vote in 1998.

In March 2002, [http://www.rulers.org/2002-03.html March 2002] , rulers.org.] during the conflicts following the December 2001 presidential election, Rakotoniaina was declared President of the Special Delegation (Governor) of Fianarantsoa Province by Marc Ravalomanana. In April, forces supporting Didier Ratsiraka left the region's capital, and Rakotoniaina was able to take office. [ [http://www.rulers.org/2002-04.html April 2002] , rulers.org.] In May, he founded the Union (Tambatra) political party. On January 27 2003, Ravalomanana dismissed Rakotoniaina from his position"Dismissed province chief accuses government of "treason"", "L'Express de Madagascar" (nl.newsbank.com), January 28, 2003.] ["Paper says dismissed key province chief likely to retaliate", "Madagascar Tribune" (nl.newsbank.com), January 29, 2003.] and replaced him with Ravelomanga Randrianarivo. Rakotoniaina attempted to hold on to power for several days, without success; [ [http://www.rulers.org/2003-02.html February 2003] , rulers.org] objecting to his dismissal, he said: "No one, at any level of this regime, can claim to have done more for President Ravalomanana than I have." His wife was reportedly ambushed, along with other passengers in a vehicle, by gunmen in Isorana on May 31 2003. ["Malagasy paper says former Ravalomanana ally's wife subject to "murder attempt"", "Madagascar Tribune" (nl.newsbank.com), June 2, 2003.]

Rakotoniaina, having become an opponent of Ravalomanana and the ruling Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM) party and running as the Tambatra candidate, was elected as the Mayor of Fianarantsoa in the municipal election held on November 23 2003, defeating the TIM candidate, Raymond Ratovondrahona. There were rumors that the results might be cancelled and the election held over again, and Rakotoniaina said there was no valid reason for this to occur. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20040511083825/http://www.madagascar-tribune.com/index.php?JOURNAL=161&ART=2449 "Municipales à Fianara I; Pety Rakotoniaina avertit !"] , "Madasgascar Tribune", N° 4521, December 3, 2003 fr.] His victory was, however, confirmed by the Fianarantsoa electoral court on December 11 2003. An alleged assassination attempt against him also occurred on the same day. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20051019045354/http://www.madagascar-tribune.com/index.php?JOURNAL=169&ART=2596 "Pety Rakotoniaina; Elu maire et objet d'un attentat manqué"] , "Madagascar Tribune", N° 4529, December 12, 2003 fr.]

General Andrianafidisoa (Fidy), to whom Rakotoniaina is considered close, allegedly attempted a coup in November 2006, two weeks before the December 2006 presidential election. [http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL24911017.html "Malagasy police arrest opposition politician"] , Reuters, 24 July 2007.] Rakotoniaina, who was standing as a presidential candidate, was among the majority of candidates who stated their support for Fidy after the election, saying that he was defending the constitution. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6177942.stm "Support for Madagascar 'coup bid'"] , BBC News, November 23, 2006.] In the election, Rakotoniaina was highly critical of Ravalomanana. [http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article&id_article=36031 "Madagascar : l’épouse d’un maire en cavale écrouée pour complicité d’atteinte à la sûreté de l’Etat"] , African Press Agency, June 25, 2007 fr icon.] He placed eighth in the December 3 election, with 1.68% of the votes cast. His only significant support was in Fianarantsoa Province, where he won 7.42% of the vote. [ [http://www.hcc.gov.mg/election-2006/resultat-2006.php 2006 presidential election results] from the High Constitutional Court fr icon.]

A few days after the election, the authorities attempted to arrest Rakotoniaina, surrounding his home at night, but he was not present and was thought to be in hiding. He had allegedly held a gathering on December 2, after the legal period for campaigning had ended, [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/07/africa/AF_POL_Madagascar_Elections.php "Madagascar tries to arrest opposition politician, offers bounty for attempted coup leader"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), December 7, 2006.] misused public property, and made death threats against officials and police officers. A warrant was issued for Rakotoniaina's arrest, [ [http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-12-07-voa41.cfm "Madagascar Issues Arrest Warrant for Opposition Candidate"] , Voice of America, December 7, 2006.] and a reward of 100 million ariary was offered for information leading to his capture. On June 19 2007, his wife, Ialy Rakotoniaina, was arrested for alleged complicity in an arson attack at the University of Fianarantsoa that occurred on June 13. [ [http://www.madagascar-tribune.com/Ialy-Rakotoniaina-sous-les-verrous,825.html "Incendie à l’Université de Fianarantsoa; Ialy Rakotoniaina sous les verrous"] , "Madagascar Tribune", N° 5591, June 27, 2007 fr icon.] Some believed that she was being used as a hostage to force her husband out of hiding. On July 19 2007, Rakotoniaina was captured in Fianarantsoa [ [http://www.madagascar-tribune.com/Fin-de-l-episode-apres-7-mois-de,1191.html "Pety Rakotoniaina; Fin de l’épisode, après 7 mois de cavale"] , "Madagascar Tribune", N° 5611, July 20, 2007 fr icon.] and held on charges of the theft of state cars. On October 8 2007, he received a five-year prison sentence [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20071009215838305C390442 "Rakotoniaina jailed for stealing cars"] , AFP ("IOL"), October 10, 2007.] [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=43687 "Malagasy opposition leader gets 5-year prison term for “vehicle theft”"] , African Press Agency, October 9, 2007.] for the 2002 and 2003 theft of three of the province's vehicles. A former aide to Rakotoniaina implicated him, claiming that he had stolen vehicles for Rakotoniaina. Additional charges against Rakotoniaina related to forgery were dropped. Rakotoniaina's lawyer, Adolphe Lalao, described the trial as politically motivated and said that there had not been enough evidence for a conviction.

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