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Madagascar elections: Lalao Ravalomanana looking to become Africa’s 3rd female leader
Lalao Ravalomanana
(Reuters) – The wife of deposed Madagascar leader Marc Ravalomanana deflected international demands to pull out of a presidential election in August, telling reporters she will be her own woman if she wins while her husband will run the family business.
Lalao Ravalomanana’s decision to run upset a deal under which leading players in a 2009 coup agreed not to contest the vote that aims to restore constitutional order after more than four years of political crisis and economic decline.
In an interview, she said she could not ignore the clamor from her husband’s supporters to seek power and end food shortages on an island-nation that is rich in minerals.
“This call came from God,” said Ravalomanana, a Protestant Christian, playing down suggestions that she would be a front for her exiled husband who would exercise the real power.
“I am my own person. I will be the president. It will be his turn to run the company,” said Lalao, who managed the family business empire when her husband was president. “It would be impossible for a married couple to run a country together.”
Madagascar slid into turmoil that scared off investors and hurt the vital tourism industry after disc jockey-turned-politician Andry Rajoelina seized power from Marc Ravalomanana with military support. The country is suspended from the African Union.
Succumbing to regional pressure, both men agreed in January not to contest the election. However, the current president Rajoelina accused Lalao of breaking this deal and rejoined the presidential race when she put herself forward in April after returning from self-imposed exile in South Africa.
