Africa News
Madagascar's exiled president returns home
Jan 21, 2012, 10:18 GMT
Antananarivo - After three years in exile in South Africa, Madagascar's former leader, Marc Ravalomanana, flew back to his homeland Saturday.
More than 50,000 people lined the streets outside the airport, hoping to greet the 62-year-old.
Ravalomanana was ousted by popular DJ Andry Rajoelina, and fled to South Africa in 2009.
An earlier attempt to return home in 2011 saw Ravalomanana detained at the airport in Johannesburg, after Madagascar's security officials denied him permission to land.
Elections are planned for 2013 in the island nation. Ravalomanana is expected to stand.
Rajoelina, who is 37, has been accused by rights groups of dragging the country into a spiral of corruption.
Many people see Ravalomanana's return as a beacon of hope.
But with tensions running high Saturday morning, a crisis meeting was held among members of the government.
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