Andrianafidisoa

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Andrianafidisoa, popularly known as Fidy, is a retired military general who allegedly attempted a coup d'état against the government of Marc Ravalomanana in Madagascar on November 18, 2006.^[1] Prior to the alleged coup attempt, in October 2006 Andrianafidisoa had been barred from running for president in the election scheduled for December 3, 2006, for not paying the required deposit of 25,000,000 ariary.^[1]^[2] Andrianafidisoa had earlier supported Ravalomanana in his struggle against Didier Ratsiraka over election results in 2002,^[3] and led an attack by pro-Ravalomanana forces on Fianarantsoa at that time.^[1]

While Ravalomanana was out of the country, Andrianafidisoa had leaflets distributed declaring military rule; he called Ravalomanana's government unconstitutional and went to a base at Ivato Airport, seeking support from soldiers. One soldier was reported killed in a clash there, and Ravalomanana's flight, returning from Europe, was diverted to Mahajanga.^[1]^[4] Andrianafidisoa's takeover attempt failed, and he went into hiding or on the run; the government ordered his arrest and began searching for him. However, the general stated that "I am alive and I am not in hiding," on a telephone call to news organization Reuters. According to him, "Soldiers and politicians have got the message."^[1]

Subsequently Andrianafidisoa denied that the events had been a coup attempt, describing this as a misinterpretation. He did, however, acknowledge that he had called Ravalomanana's government unconstitutional and that he called for him to resign.^[3] Andrianafidisoa received the backing of most of the 14 presidential candidates, who said he was defending the constitution and the interests of the nation.^[5]^[6]

A $50,000 reward was offered for Andrianafidisoa's arrest. The secretary of state for public security said that Andrianafidisoa was taken by surprise and captured on December 12 at a hotel, and that he did not resist.^[7] Several guns, along with ammunition, were found with him. Police began interrogating Andrianafidisoa on December 14.^[8] Andrianafidisoa pleaded not guilty during his trial, and he and his lawyers argued that he had not attempted a coup, but had instead acted as a "lone soldier" attempting to alert the president to the situation of the armed forces. He was sentenced to four years in prison on February 2, 2007, and stated his intention to appeal the verdict.^[9] On February 20, he received an additional three-year prison sentence.^[10]