ANTANANARIVO: Madagascan President Hery Rajaonarimampianina is an accomplished technocrat, ex-accountant and occasional poet who came to office bringing high hopes of economic improvement for the Indian Ocean island, but is now fighting impeachment after being accused of corruption.

Raised in a middle-class family, but with a practised aristocratic air, the 56-year-old is no stranger to political ups and downs during a brief stint as president of one of the world’s poorest countries.

As finance minister during the “Transition” regime led by Andry Rajoelina, Rajaonarimampianina succeeded in stabilising his country’s currency, the malagasy ariary, and subsidising oil to keep a lid on petrol prices.

But he aroused suspicions surrounding questionable deals involving the country’s precious resources, like valuable woods and stones.

When interviewed by AFP, Rajaonarimampianina denied all accusations of corruption declaring in 2013; “I am not guilty of any trafficking, I am not aware of that.”

His perfect French, natural ease in front of the cameras, and the support of Rajoelina helped Rajaonarimampianina garner more than half of the votes in the presidential elections that year, beating out Robinson Jean Louis.

‘Best if he leaves power’

During the elections, a European diplomat called the president “a technocrat whose hands are maybe a little bit cleaner than many others”.

Since then Rajaonarimampianina has faced harsh criticism for his weak governance, and even Rajoelina’s camp has turned against the president, voting on Tuesday to impeach him.

“I’m sorry but nothing actually works in this country. Maybe he knows about accounting but not the management of a nation. He is surrounded by amateurs,” said deputy Tinoka Roberto before the national assembly on Tuesday. “For me, if he is incompetent, it’s best if he leaves power.”

Always dressed to the nines, in a dark suit and glasses, Rajaonarimampianina has been accused of “selling” his country to attract donors and investors.

Lawmakers voted late Tuesday to dismiss him for alleged constitutional violations and incompetence in a move that threatened to revive political chaos that erupted after a coup in 2009.

Madagascar’s constitutional court will now decide whether the impeachment process can go ahead.

“I want to tell the people that I’m still here, your leaders are still working for you,” Rajaonarimampianina said in a televised address to the nation.

Sometimes compared to French President Francois Hollande, whose calm style he admires, Rajaonarimampianina is also known to write poetry in his spare time.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play