JOHANNESBURG — Madagascar’s ousted president was on Saturday barred by officials in his homeland from returning from exile in South Africa, but the politician told reporters at Johannesburg’s airport that he would keep trying to return.
Marc Ravalomanana said aviation authorities in Madagascar had written to South African Airways to say he was not welcome. Ravalomanana had been booked on the carrier’s regular Saturday flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital.
“I’m very, very upset,” Ravalomanana told reporters after South African Airways said he could not board the plane. “I’m very disappointed right now because many Malagasy people are at the airport right now waiting for my arrival.”
Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse thousands of people who had gathered for Ravalomanana’s return.
The democratically elected Ravalomanana has been in exile in South Africa since being ousted in a 2009 military-backed takeover led by Andry Rajoelina, a former disc jockey turned Antananarivo mayor.
