Madagascar sends troops, doctors to virus-hit eastern town

Yahoo – AFP, May 25, 2020

Madagascar has made wearing face masks obligatory during the pandemic
(AFP Photo/RIJASOLO)

Antananarivo (AFP) - Madagascar's government has announced it will dispatch troops and doctors to an eastern town after several bodies were found in the streets and where two people died from the novel coronavirus.

Madagascar's cabinet held a special meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Toamasina, the country's second largest city.

The Indian Ocean island nation has registered 527 infections and two deaths, both in Toamasina.

Since Thursday, more than 120 new cases were confirmed, and several bodies were found in the city's streets though the cause of death was not clear.

"Doctors must carry out thorough examinations to see if these deaths are caused by another illness (...) or if they are really due to severe acute respiratory problems which is the critical form of COVID-19," Professor Hanta Marie Danielle Vololontiana, spokesperson for the government's virus taskforce, said in a national broadcast on Sunday.

The government will send 150 soldiers to reinforce Toamasina, maintain order and enforce measures against the coronavirus such as mask wearing and social distancing.

The cabinet also fired Toamasina's prefect without providing any explanation.

A team was also ordered to distribute a drink based on artemisia, a plant recognised as a treatment against malaria, which the Malagasy authorities claim cures COVID-19.

The potential benefits of this herbal tea, called Covid-Organics, have not been validated by any scientific study.

The cabinet has also announced an investigation into the death of a doctor in Toamasina. According to local press, the victim was hospitalised after contracting COVID-19 and was found dead hanged in his room on Sunday morning.

Madagascar virus potion scorned because it's from Africa: president

Yahoo – AFP, May 11, 2020

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina sips Covid Organics, which he
touts as a remedy for coronavirus (AFP Photo/RIJASOLO)

Antananarivo (AFP) - Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina on Monday batted away criticism for promoting a homegrown "remedy" for COVID-19, charging that the West has a condescending attitude toward traditional African medicine.

"If it wasn't Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don't think so," he told French media in an interview.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics infusion, which Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus, has not been clinically tested.

The drink is derived from artemisia -- a plant with proven anti-malarial properties -- and other indigenous herbs.

"African scientists... should not be underestimated," he told France 24 and Radio France International (RFI).

"I think the problem is that (the drink) comes from Africa and they can't admit... that a country like Madagascar... has come up with this formula to save the world," said Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within 10 days.

Already Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Tanzania have taken delivery of consignments of the potion, which was launched last month.

"No country or organisation will keep us from going forward," Rajoelina said in response to the WHO's concerns.

He said proof of the tonic's efficacy was in "the healing of our sick".

Madagascar has officially reported 183 coronavirus infections and 105 recoveries, with no deaths.

"The patients who were cured were cured through the administration of Covid-Organics alone," the president said.

He referred to the remedy as "an improved traditional medicine", adding that Madagascar was not conducting clinical trials but "clinical observations" in accordance with WHO guidelines.

Related Article:

WHO cautions against use of Madagascar anti-virus potion

WHO cautions against use of Madagascar anti-virus potion

Yahoo – AFP, Philippe Alfroy, May 7, 2020

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina drinks a sample of Covid Organics which
he touted as a remedy for coronavirus (AFP Photo/RIJASOLO)

Johannesburg (AFP) - The World Health Organization on Thursday advised governments to clinically test a herbal drink touted by Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina as a remedy against coronavirus.

The Covid-Organics infusion is derived from artemisia -- a plant with proven anti-malarial properties -- and other indigenous herbs.

Rajoelina hopes to distribute the infusion across West Africa and beyond, claiming it cures COVID-19 patients within 10 days.

Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Niger have already received consignments of the potion. Others such as Tanzania have expressed interest.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that there are no published scientific studies of the herbal tea and that its effects have not been tested.

"We would caution and advise countries against adopting a product that has not been taken through tests to see its efficacy," WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said in a press briefing on Thursday, calling on Madagascar to take the drink "through a clinical trial".

Moeti said that in 2000, African governments had committed to taking "traditional therapies" through the same clinical trials as other medication.

"I can understand the need, the drive to find something that can help," Moeti said. "But we would very much like to encourage this scientific process in which the governments themselves made a commitment."

Rajoelina defended his tonic during a coronavirus screening campaign in Madagascar's eastern city of Toamasina on Thursday.

"The WHO has indicated that artemisia could lead to a cure for coronavirus," the president said, promising to submit the drink to clinical trials.

Scepticism remains

Earlier this week, the WHO recognised artemisia as a "possible treatment" for COVID-19. But the organisation also repeated its calls for more rigorous testing.

South Africa's Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Wednesday said Madagascar had reached out for "help" with scientific research.

"Our scientists would be able to assist with this research," Mkhize tweeted, adding that South Africa would only "get involved in a scientific analysis of the herb".

The country has the highest number of coronavirus cases in sub-Saharan Africa, with 7,808 infections and 153 fatalities recorded to date.

Neighbouring eSwatini -- a tiny landlocked nation wedged between South Africa and Mozambique -- said it would not consider Rajoelina's tonic for the time being.

"It is important as a country to first ascertain where such herbal products have been tested," she said Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi on Thursday.

"We have to do adequate proper research and be sure that the product works."

To date eSwatini has reported 123 cases of coronavirus, including two deaths.

Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has debunked claims that it had ordered a package of Covid-Organics from a "third country".

"We are aware that several claims of a COVID-19 cure have been made in different parts of the world," ECOWAS said in a statement on Wednesday.

"But we can only support and endorse products that have been shown to be effective through scientific study."

Pope pleads with Madagascans to protect rainforest

Yahoo – AFP, Tsiresena MANJAKAHERY, Catherine MARCIANO, September 7, 2019

Pope Francis planted a baobab tree with Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina
at the presidential palace in Antananarivo (AFP Photo/MARCO LONGARI)

Antananarivo (AFP) - Pope Francis on Saturday made an impassioned plea to Madagascans to protect the Indian Ocean's unique environment from "excessive deforestation", on the second leg of his African tour.

Weeks after a spike of fires in the Amazon, the Argentine pontiff told his hosts they should "create jobs and money-making activities which respect the environment and help people escape poverty".

Madagascar -- famed for its immense diversity of flora and fauna -- is home to 25 million people, the vast majority of whom live in poverty on an income of less than two dollars a day.

More than half of its young people are out of work, even if many boast good qualifications.

The pope said there "were many causes driving excessive deforestation which benefits just a few people... and compromises the future of the country."

The authorities should also ensure social justice, he added.

The Pope presided over a vigil mass in the Androhibe Soamandrakizay diocesan 

grounds (AFP Photo/RIJASOLO).

'Alarm raised'

Madagascar's British ambassador Philip Boyle told AFP the country loses around 200,000 hectares of forest each year, adding that "most of the tropical rainforest could disappear by 2040".

he country's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, the export of vanilla and cocoa in particular.

"The alarm has been raised by the pope and we are ready to take on the challenge," environment minister Alexandre Georget told AFP.

He said Madagascar would do more to prevent forest fires, and use tree-planting drones and aerial seed bombing techniques to restore its forests.

"In six months we reached an objective of planting 40,000 hectares of land (98,000 acres), but this is pointless when there are forest fires" said Georget, adding that laws would be enforced and farmers made more aware of the issue.

Liberal-leaning president Andry Rajoelina was elected to a second term last year mainly on promises of jobs and housing.

"Corruption and inequality outrage us," said Archbishop Desire Tsarahazana, addressing the pope in his welcome speech.

Pope Francis waved to the crowds as he arrived for a vigil with young people

in Antananarivo (AFP Photo/Tiziana FABI)

Hope for the young

At Antananarivo's Soamandrakizay stadium, thousands of young people - mainly scouts - gathered for a vigil. They waited for hours in the heat.

"I am here to ask for the pope's blessing to face the harsh realities of life, insecurity, poverty and corruption," said 17-year old student Njara Raherimana, who travelled hundreds of kilometres for the event.

"All this gives me hope for change in my country," echoed fellow student, Antony Christian Tovonalintsoa, who lives in the outskirts of the capital.

During the vigil, Pope Francis lauded the "joy and enthusiasm" of the singing crowd.

He encouraged the youth not to fall into "bitterness" or to lose hope, even when they lacked the "necessary minimum" to get by and when "educational opportunities were insufficient".

The faithful lined the streets to welcome Francis to the Madagascan capital 

(AFP Photo/Tiziana FABI)

800,000 faithful expected

Sunday will mark the high point of Francis' visit with a huge mass in the capital expected to be attended by some 800,000 faithful.

Many had already started setting up tents on the outskirts of the city on Friday, armed with posters of the Argentine pontiff.

Prospere Ralitason, a 70-year-old farm worker, arrived with some 5,000 fellow pilgrims from the central eastern town of Ambatondrazaka, 200 kilometres (125 miles) away.

"We are tired, but it's worth making all these sacrifices to see the pope with our own eyes and receive his blessing," he told AFP,

The high point of Francis' visit will be a huge mass on Sunday attended by 

crowds of 800,000 (AFP Photo/RIJASOLO)

John Paul II

The last pope to visit was John Paul II 30 years ago.

"I was a lieutenant when I helped with the security of John Paul II in 1989. Today I am a divisional general and overseeing security for Francis' visit to Madagascar," said Samuel Rakotomalala.

Some 700 police officers will be deployed at the site, which is also equipped with 200 surveillance cameras and the 12,000 young scouts will also help out.

In June, 16 people were killed and dozens hurt in a stampede outside a sports stadium in the capital during a free concert.

Francis visited Mozambique earlier in the week. He is also due to travel to the island of Mauritius, which like Madagascar is situated off the eastern coast of Africa.

Vanilla and spice next to bloom in Dutch greenhouses

Yahoo – AFP, Maude Brulard, November 12, 2016

University of Wageningen researcher Filip van Noort and vanilla grower Joris
Elstgeest inspect vanilla orchids, part of four years of ground-breaking research
(AFP Photo/Maude Brulard)

Bleiswijk (Netherlands) (AFP) - Flowers more exotic than the humble tulip will soon flourish for the first time in Dutch greenhouses after intensive research into growing the capricious vanilla orchid to harvest one of the world's most expensive spices.

In the middle of potato fields in a central Dutch rural town, scientists from Wageningen University have for the past four years been nurturing vanilla orchids. And their research has been deemed a success.

"Based on our information, businesses believe vanilla is a plant with a lot of potential for Dutch greenhouses and have decided to start growing it," said researcher Filip van Noort.

How many orchids will be planted will be decided at the start of the next growing season in the spring, and it will take at least three years before the first Dutch-grown vanilla hits the market.

In Bleiswijk, home to the ground-breaking research, vines from about 100 plants stretch metres high in hot, tropical greenhouses. Hidden under fleshy, oval-shaped leaves are the buds, that will eventually become the vanilla pods so prised by chefs the world over.

"The challenge is to ensure the plants blossom and then to be able to pollinate them in a cost-effective way," said van Noort.

Cultivation of the vanilla orchid is hugely labour intensive as the orchid's flowers 

only last one day and must be pollinated by hand if they are to produce fruit

 (AFP Photo/Maude Brulard)

Black gold

Cultivation is hugely labour intensive. The orchid's flowers only last one day and must be pollinated by hand if they are to produce fruit. So it was an apt challenge for the Dutch -- renowned for their green fingers and their expertise in greenhouse cultivation.

"A few years ago we were looking for new plants which could be grown in Dutch greenhouses," explained van Noort.

The aim was to increase the variety of crops grown by Dutch farmers as they search for improved profits.

Vanilla made sense. Currently the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar holds a quasi-monopoly over world supply producing some 80 percent of global vanilla bean stocks.

It is also the world's second most expensive spice, with prices climbing to 350 euros ($380) a kilo this month -- compared with 60 euros in 2014.

"In the past the price was too low to be interesting. But today, with demand increasing, the prices are rising," said orchid expert Joris Elstgeest.

The long, black vanilla pods, with their distinctive caramel and at times woody scent, have to be collected by hand from the vines and then dried before being sold.

It is the sticky tiny black seeds scraped from inside the pods which are a baker's delight, lending an almost intoxicating flavour to everything from cakes and ice-cream.

The long, black vanilla pods, with their distinctive caramel and at times woody scent, 

have to be collected by hand from the vines and then dried before being sold 

(AFP Photo/Maude Brulard)

All organic

Originating from Mexico, the vanilla orchid was brought to Europe by Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus. But all attempts to grow it in milder climates failed for lack of the type of bee which pollinated the flowers.

It was not until 1841 that someone on the island of Reunion figured out how to pollinate the flowers one-by-one.

That method finally paved the way towards large-scale production, with Madagascar proving the most effective of growers.

But even if prices fall and as other countries explore possible vanilla crops, Dutch growers believe it will prove a good investment.

In past decades, synthetic vanilla flavourings were increasingly adopted by the food industry. But with a return to all things authentic and organic, the real stuff is making a welcome return.

Bleiswijk vanilla is wholly organic, say its Dutch growers, unlike in Madagascar, they claim.

Vanilla is also the world's second most expensive spice, with prices climbing

 to 350 euros ($380) a kilo this month -- compared with 60 euros in 2014 

(AFP Photo/Maude Brulard)

Half of Madagascar's vanilla is exported to Europe, and a third to the United States. But clients say the quality has been slipping, with producers harvesting the pods before they reach maturity to cash in on the price boom.

Some Madagascans even speculate the vanilla industry is being used as a front for the illegal trade in rosewood –- a sought-after product in China.

The Dutch consortium behind the project says it has already received lots of interest from local high-end restaurants as well as food companies.

The Netherlands is a global leader in the art of greenhouse growing with almost 10,000 hectares of this lowlands country set with rows of glasshouses growing all kinds of flowers, fruits and vegetables -- compared to just 1,900 hectares in France.

And researchers are already setting their sights on other spices.

"We've also got black pepper, which seems to be adapting well," said van Noort, adding indigo used to dye blue jeans was another project.

And perhaps saffron -- the world's most expensive spice derived from the saffron crocus -- could be next to flourish here.

Madagascar mob lynches two Europeans on tourist island

Asiaone – AFP, Oct 3, 2013

Photo shows a group of happy children in Madagascar.

ANTANANARIVO - A mob in Madagascar on Thursday killed two Europeans suspected of mutilating and murdering a young boy at the country's main tourist resort, security forces said.

Residents on Nosy Be island went on the rampage after the missing eight-year-old was found dead with his genitals and tongue cut off, according to assistant gendarmerie commander Guy Bobin Randriamaro.

"The rioters launched a manhunt and killed the Europeans," Randriamaro told AFP from the capital Antananarivo.

Local police commissioner Honoya Tilahizandry said the pair "were killed and burnt on Ambatoloaka beach", a popular palm-fringed strand of white sand.

The two men were identified only as Sebastien and Roberto.

Their nationalities were not immediately clear. Officials indicated that both men were French, but local witnesses said one may have been Italian.

The murder occurred after days of tension. Residents marched on the paramilitary police station Wednesday, convinced the boy's killer was being held there.

Security forces say they fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd, but at least one person died and two others were wounded.

The mob also torched eight houses.

"They suspected the two foreigners of being behind the murder and trafficking human organs," said the gendarmerie's Randriamaro.

The two men "confessed under torture to having trafficked organs", he added.

A witness told local media the rioters only targeted the two men suspected of having ordered the boy's kidnapping, but left other foreigners alone.

The French consulate discouraged its nationals from visiting Nosy Be island "until order is restored, especially on the beaches."

Madgascan coup leader meets president he sent into exile

Deutsche Welle, 25 July 2012

Madagascan leader Andry Rajoelina and the man he toppled three years ago, Mark Ravalomanana have met face-to-face in the Seychelles for the first time. Ravalomanana has tried twice to return from exile, in vain.

A Seychelles government official confirmed that Andry Rajoelina, the Madagascan transitional president and his predecessor Marc Ravalomanana had met alongside South African president Jacob Zuma. The South African president is a key mediator in the talks on the remote beach island of Desroches

The 15 national Southern African Development Community (SADC), has given the two rivals a July 31 deadline to settle their differences.

Both South Africa and the Seychelles are members of SADC. Madagascar's membership has been suspended.

The Seychelles meeting revolves around a crisis that has engulfed Africa's largest island since Rajoelina ejected Ravalomanana in March 2009.

Omer Beriziky, prime minister of Madgascar's transitional government told DW the meeting of the two protaganists in the crisis was a "good thing." All Madagascans, he added "were expecting a solution to the current crisis."

September roadmap for Ravalomanana's return

Rajoelina, a former disc jockey, led demonstrations against Ravalomanana following the closure of his Viva TV station three years ago. The protests gained momentum when he gained the backing of the army. As a leader, he has failed to acquire broad international backing.

Marc Ravalomanana has tried
twice to return home.

The two men have already held talks among the country's main political groups since the ouster. Their subordinates have inked in several pacts.

A road map signed in September provides for Ravalomanana's return home with no conditions.

But parliament has passed a law barring people with criminal records from running for office. It demands that any presidential aspirants must have paid their taxes in full, effectively excluding Ravalomanana from any presidential race.

Andry Rajoelina came to power
with the backing of the army

In 2010, Ravalomanana was sentenced in absentia to life in prison and hard labor for the murders of around 30 demonstrators. They had been killed by his presidential guards in the protests in 2009 which led to his overthrow.

So Ravalomanana's return from exile in South Africa remains a highly complex issue.

Seychelles claim return to stability in Madagascar crucial

The talks in the Seychelles come three days after the army put down a mutiny at a military base near Madagascar's main airport, leaving three people dead. It was not immediately clear whether the mutiny was linked to the broader political turmoil.

Seychelles President James Michel said a return to stability was crucial for all countries in southern and eastern African as well as in the Indian Ocean region. "Millions of people in Madagascar are sinking into extreme poverty. We have to act quickly before the political crisis becomes as social catastrophe," he said.

Madagascar's HAT president wants elections held this year

English.news.cn   2011-04-18

ANTANANARIVO, April 18 (Xinhua) -- President of Madagascar's Highest Transitional Authority (HAT) Andry Rajoelina has expressed his desire to see the country hold all elections this year.

Rajoelina was speaking on Sunday evening during a televised debate on the country's national television.

"I have the same opinion as the international community in matters regarding the preparation of free and fair elections. Fortunately, we have begun the preparatory processes and the budget for the elections has already been fixed. The elections should be completed this year," Rajoelina confirmed.

The HAT president revealed that the fixed budget for the elections which will be under the control of the country's National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) is 10 million U.S. dollars.

The use of one ballot paper will be applied this time round again and it's the CENI that will be charged with the responsibility of producing the ballot papers, he said.

Rajoelina revealed further that an oversight commission will be set to monitor the CENI's spending of the elections funds.

On Friday, Rajoelina met with the CENI officials who briefed him on the progress so far achieved in the process of preparing the electoral lists.

CENI president Hery Rakotomanana who spoke during Friday's meeting insisted that the precise date for elections could only be set by the political actors.

Elsewhere, the HAT president indicated during the televised debate that no decision had been made yet regarding his candidature and that this was not the appropriate time to make such a decision.

Madagascar has been experiencing a political crisis since December 2008 due to the disagreement between Rajoelina and the country's ex-president Marc Ravalomanana.

In order to find a solution to this crisis, the international community organized several dialogue sessions in which the protagonists signed certain pacts which were unfortunately not honored after the HAT president disregarded them.

Editor: Xiong Tong

Madagascar opposition groups reject new unity government

Three groups, led by former presidents, refuse to initial road map aimed at ending two-year impasse

guardian.co.uk, Reuters, Sunday 27 March 2011

Madagascar's new government includes 23 new ministers.
Photograph: Gregoire Pourtier/AFP/Getty Images

Three opposition groups in Madagascar have rejected a new unity government named as part of a road map to end a two-year impasse.

The government, named on Saturday, has 23 new ministers while nine members of the previous administration retain their posts – including the ministers of finance, mines and hydrocarbons, justice, defence, and the environment and forests.

The groups, led by former presidents Marc Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy, declined to initial the plan, which allows Andry Rajoelina, who grabbed power with military support in 2009, to remain president until free and fair elections are held.

Rajoelina did, however, include some members of the party founded by Ravalomanana and some dissidents within his movement.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) had long called for Rajoelina to go so Ravalomanana could return to power, but it shifted its stance earlier this year by approving the plan to leave Rajoelina in office until elections.

The prime minister, Camille Vital, said he thought the new government was inclusive and that SADC would accept it.

A member of Zafy's group, however, said the government had been formed unilaterally by Rajoelina's transitional administration to buy more time.

An official in Ravalomanana's movement said that until the road map had been signed, the current administration had no business appointing a new government.

The political deadlock has hurt Madagascar's economy after donors froze budgetary support worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Government spending dried up and private investment slowed sharply after the power grab.

An independent electoral commission and UN representatives will agree a date for the election based on evaluations of how soon a credible vote can be held.

Related Article:

Ex-madagascar leader says to form interim government

Madagascar maids escape Lebanon

BBC News, 24 March 2011

Related Stories

• Concern over Lebanon maid deaths
• 'Racism' claims at Lebanon beach clubs
• Lebanon seeks fresh maid influx

A plane carrying 86 Madagascan domestic workers, who say they have suffered abuse in Lebanon, has arrived in the capital, Antananarivo.

Some of the maids had fled their employers
and then asked to be sent back home

Madagascar's government chartered the plane following the death of 17 maids in the past year, reports the AFP news agency.

"My boss used to hit me and didn't give me my salary. I'm very, very happy to be back home," said Leonie, 25.

Some 7,000 Madagascans are said to be working in Lebanon.

"There have been a lot of deaths," said Prime Minister Camille Vital.

The population ministry said it had received 600 requests to be sent home from maids who had fled their employers, AFP reports.

In 2009, Human Rights Watch called on the Lebanese government to investigate the deaths of foreign domestic workers in the country.

The previous year, it said that one foreign maid was dying each week.

Ex-madagascar leader says to form interim government

Antara News, Thu, March 3 2011

Antananarivo (ANTARA News) - Madagascar`s former president Albert Zafy said Wednesday he will set up a new transitional authority to replace the current government that came to power after a 2009 coup.

"From this week, we will establish transitional institutions until real negotiations are held to form a real transition," Zafy told AFP after a meeting of opposition groups in the capital Antananarivo.

Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar`s de facto president, has been at loggerheads with three former presidents, including Zafy, since rejecting a deal to form a power-sharing government with them following negotiations in 2009 and 2010.

His own efforts to carry out reforms and hold elections have repeatedly floundered and he has been isolated by the international community.

"We have waited for too long. The people have waited for too long," said Zafy, denouncing Rajoelina`s government as illegal.

Zafy, who led Madagascar from 1993 to 1996, did not explain how he intended to carry out his plan.

Since Rajoelina toppled president Marc Ravalomanana in March 2009, the Indian Ocean island has remained in a political limbo and international efforts to resolve the crisis have so far been ineffective.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Related Article:

Madagascar: Ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana 'to return'

Madagascar: Ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana 'to return'

BBC News, 17 February 2011

Related Stories

• Madagascar's young leader
• Misery in Madagascar after coup
• Country profile: Madagascar

Madagascar's exiled and deposed president, Marc Ravalomanana, has said he intends to return home on Saturday despite a warrant for his arrest.

Marc Ravalomanana said he was aware of the
risks, but wanted to start a "genuine dialogue"

Mr Ravalomanana has lived in South Africa since 2009 when he was ousted by the current leader, Andy Rajoelina, with the support of the military.

Last year he was sentenced in absentia to life in prison for the killing of at least 25 people during street protests.

The Indian Ocean island has been beset by instability for several years.

Last November, troops put down a three-day mutiny against Mr Rajoelina, who has been diplomatically isolated since coming to power, ignoring attempts by regional mediators to broker a consensus with the opposition.

"I know the risks facing my return, but cannot allow them to get in the way of us restoring democracy," AP news agency quotes Mr Ravalomanana as saying.

"I have nothing to fear. I have done nothing wrong."

Waving his plane tickets at a press conference in Johannesburg, he said that he wanted to go back to start a "genuine dialogue, which is desperately needed".

The BBC's southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen says Mr Ravalomanana admitted he had been emboldened by pro-democracy demonstrations in other parts of the world.

But support for him to return inside Madagascar has remained relatively muted, she says.

Related Article:

Ousted Madagascar president barred from returning

MADAGASCAR: University lecturers' strike ends

University World News, 16 January 2011

The long strike in Madagascar by university lecturers and researchers ended on Monday, following negotiations between their union, SECES, and the Minister of Higher Education, Athanase Tongavelo.

L'Express de Madagascar reported that representatives of SECES from the country's six universities ended a three-hour closed meeting with the minister, having gained some of their demands.

After the meeting Tongavelo announced they had reached a consensus, and said he would present the agreement to the government and other relevant authorities for its adoption that day.

L'Express reported the union's claims for research and 'risk' allowances were included in the agreement.

"It's not the full research allowance we were asking for that has been accepted, but it is compensated for by the risk allowance. The minister gave us his word he would settle the problem as soon as possible, as a government meeting is taking place today and he will put the decision before government members," said Armand Rasoamiaramana, SECES collegiate president.

Rasoamiraramana said the lecturers would now return to work: "We will leave a little time for the students to revise before starting examinations," he said.

SECES leaders called the strike in early November 2010, claiming overtime payments and research allowances, and the resignation of the minister who it said had defamed them with accusations that they had lied about their remuneration.

After more than two months of squabbling, the minister and SECES representatives started secret talks on Saturday last weekend, reported L'Express. The agreement was made during their second meeting, on Monday.

The university gates have reopened, reported L'Express. But the Vice-president of Antananarivo University, Jean-Eric Rakotoarisoa, said access would be controlled:

"For the security of the campus there will be checks on cards of students, teachers and other personnel at each entrance. So persons with access to the interior of the university will be restricted," he said.