JOHANNESBURG Jan 18 (Reuters) – Former Madagascar
leader Marc Ravalomanana will return to the Indian Ocean island
“imminently”, a statement released by his South African
publicists firm said on Wednesday.
It said details of his departure would be released closer to
the time of the trip.
Exiled in South Africa since rebel troops helped topple him
in 2009, Ravalomanana has been sentenced in absentia to life in
prison for the killings of demonstrators by elite troops in the
run up to his removal.
Madagascar’s interim leader has said the return of the
exiled former president risked stoking tensions on the island,
which has been plagued by instability for most of the past three
years.
Ravalomanana said he would not work with the new government
that came into power in November that was rejected by opposition
parties.
In September, Madagascar said it would arrest Ravalomanana
on his return to the country.
(Reporting by Phumza Macanda)
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