Tantely Andrianarivo
Encyclopedia
René Tantely Gabrio Andrianarivo (born 25 May 1954 in Ambositra
, Amoron'i Mania
) was a politician in Madagascar
. He was the Prime Minister
of Madagascar from 23 July 1998 until 31 May 2002, under President Didier Ratsiraka
.
During Ratsiraka's first period in office (the Second Republic), Andrianarivo served in the government as Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines.
Following Ratsiraka's victory in the 1996 presidential election
, Andrianarivo became Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Economy and Finance in the new government of Prime Minister Pascal Rakotomavo
, named on February 27, 1997; he was one of three deputy prime ministers, along with Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
and Herizo Razafimahaleo
. Following parliamentary elections held in May 1998, he was named Prime Minister by Ratsiraka in July to replace Rakotomavo. During the 2002 election dispute between Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana
, which eventually led to Ratsiraka being forced into exile, Andrianarivo announced a state of emergency imposed by Ratsiraka following Ravalomanana's declaration that he was president on February 22. In the following months the two rival governments struggled for control of the island. On 27 May 2002, Ravalomanana's forces raided the prime minister's residence in Antananarivo
— the last government building in the capital still under the control of the Ratsiraka government — and detained Andrianarivo; Ravalomanana's prime minister, Jacques Sylla
, took over the residence. In response, Ratsiraka said he would not participate in planned talks until Andrianarivo was released.
Andrianarivo's trial began on December 22, 2003, and on December 24, he was convicted of embezzlement and usurping powers and was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. He was also fined 42 billion Malagasy franc
s, about $7.6 million U.S. dollars
: about $7.4 million to repay the allegedly embezzled money, and another $200,000 in damages. The prosecution argued that Andrianarivo was not legitimately the Prime Minister when he withdrew the money, and that he therefore did so illegally. Andrianarivo argued that, despite Ravalomanana's nomination of Sylla as Prime Minister, he remained legally Prime Minister until he was detained on 27 May 2002, due to the absence of a decree abrogating his nomination up to that point; he said that it had been necessary to withdraw the money for the payment of wages and other administrative purposes. According to Amnesty International
, the trial was "marred by irregularities". His health was also said to be poor at the time. In Ravalomanana's 2003 end of the year speech, he revealed that Andrianarivo was allowed to seek medical treatment abroad.
On May 3, 2007, it was announced that about $2.3 million dollars held by Andrianarivo in Switzerland
was unfrozen and was again available to him, following a money laundering
investigation that was closed due to lack of evidence. Andrianarivo was, however, required to pay for the cost of the investigation, which began in late 2003. The Malagasy government, which wanted the money, protested the Swiss decision.
In France, Andrianarivo met with former President Albert Zafy
on June 11, 2007; Zafy had also met with Ratsiraka and former Deputy Prime Minister Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
in the previous days. Andrianarivo and Ratsiraka met with Zafy again on June 25.
Ambositra
Ambositra is a city in central Madagascar.Ambositra is the capital of the Amoron'i Mania region, and of Ambositra District....
, Amoron'i Mania
Amoron'i Mania
Amoron'i Mania is a region in central Madagascar bordering Vakinankaratra Region in north, Atsinanana in northeast, Vatovavy-Fitovinany in southeast, Haute Matsiatra in south, Atsimo-Andrefana in southwest and Menabe in west. It is divided into four districts: Ambatofinandrahana, Ambositra,...
) was a politician in Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. He was the Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Madagascar from 23 July 1998 until 31 May 2002, under President Didier Ratsiraka
Didier Ratsiraka
Vice Admiral Didier Ratsiraka is a Malagasy politician who was President of Madagascar from 1975 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2002.-Second Republic:...
.
During Ratsiraka's first period in office (the Second Republic), Andrianarivo served in the government as Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines.
Following Ratsiraka's victory in the 1996 presidential election
Malagasy presidential election, 1996
Presidential elections were held in Madagascar on 3 November 1996, with a second round on 29 December 1996. The election followed the impeachment of incumbent President Albert Zafy and the appointment of his interim successor, Norbert Ratsirahonana....
, Andrianarivo became Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Economy and Finance in the new government of Prime Minister Pascal Rakotomavo
Pascal Rakotomavo
Pascal Joseph Rakotomavo was a Malagasy politician. He was the Prime Minister of Madagascar from 21 February 1997 to 23 July 1998....
, named on February 27, 1997; he was one of three deputy prime ministers, along with Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
Pierrot Jocelyn Rajaonarivelo is a Malagasy politician and National Secretary of the AREMA party. He served in the government of Madagascar as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2002, under President Didier Ratsiraka. He went into exile when Ratsiraka was ousted in 2002, and he was subsequently...
and Herizo Razafimahaleo
Herizo Razafimahaleo
Herizo Jossicher Razafimahaleo was a politician in Madagascar. He ran for President three times, and he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister from 1997 to 1998....
. Following parliamentary elections held in May 1998, he was named Prime Minister by Ratsiraka in July to replace Rakotomavo. During the 2002 election dispute between Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana is a Malagasy politician who was the President of Madagascar from 2002 to 2009. A member of the Merina ethnic group, Ravalomanana served as Mayor of Antananarivo before becoming President in 2002...
, which eventually led to Ratsiraka being forced into exile, Andrianarivo announced a state of emergency imposed by Ratsiraka following Ravalomanana's declaration that he was president on February 22. In the following months the two rival governments struggled for control of the island. On 27 May 2002, Ravalomanana's forces raided the prime minister's residence in Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....
— the last government building in the capital still under the control of the Ratsiraka government — and detained Andrianarivo; Ravalomanana's prime minister, Jacques Sylla
Jacques Sylla
Jacques Hugues Sylla was a Malagasy politician. He was the Prime Minister of Madagascar under President Marc Ravalomanana from February 2002 until January 2007. He subsequently served as the President of the National Assembly of Madagascar from 2007 until 2009.Sylla was born on the island of...
, took over the residence. In response, Ratsiraka said he would not participate in planned talks until Andrianarivo was released.
Andrianarivo's trial began on December 22, 2003, and on December 24, he was convicted of embezzlement and usurping powers and was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. He was also fined 42 billion Malagasy franc
Malagasy franc
The franc was the currency of Madagascar until January 1, 2005. It was subdivided into 100 centimes.-History:The first francs to circulate in Madagascar were French francs...
s, about $7.6 million U.S. dollars
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
: about $7.4 million to repay the allegedly embezzled money, and another $200,000 in damages. The prosecution argued that Andrianarivo was not legitimately the Prime Minister when he withdrew the money, and that he therefore did so illegally. Andrianarivo argued that, despite Ravalomanana's nomination of Sylla as Prime Minister, he remained legally Prime Minister until he was detained on 27 May 2002, due to the absence of a decree abrogating his nomination up to that point; he said that it had been necessary to withdraw the money for the payment of wages and other administrative purposes. According to Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, the trial was "marred by irregularities". His health was also said to be poor at the time. In Ravalomanana's 2003 end of the year speech, he revealed that Andrianarivo was allowed to seek medical treatment abroad.
On May 3, 2007, it was announced that about $2.3 million dollars held by Andrianarivo in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
was unfrozen and was again available to him, following a money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
investigation that was closed due to lack of evidence. Andrianarivo was, however, required to pay for the cost of the investigation, which began in late 2003. The Malagasy government, which wanted the money, protested the Swiss decision.
In France, Andrianarivo met with former President Albert Zafy
Albert Zafy
Albert Zafy is a Malagasy politician. He was the President of Madagascar from 27 March 1993 to 5 September 1996.-Early life and career:...
on June 11, 2007; Zafy had also met with Ratsiraka and former Deputy Prime Minister Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
Pierrot Rajaonarivelo
Pierrot Jocelyn Rajaonarivelo is a Malagasy politician and National Secretary of the AREMA party. He served in the government of Madagascar as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2002, under President Didier Ratsiraka. He went into exile when Ratsiraka was ousted in 2002, and he was subsequently...
in the previous days. Andrianarivo and Ratsiraka met with Zafy again on June 25.