Africa News
LEAD: Madagascar's exiled president forced to return to South Africa
Jan 21, 2012, 14:28 GMT
Antananarivo - Madagascar's former leader Marc Ravalomanana was forced to return to South Africa on Saturday after an aborted attempt to fly to Antananarivo.
The exiled leader's plane was diverted to Pemba, Mozambique, and returned to Johannesburg, his spokesman said.
The 62-year-old, who has spent three years in exile in South Africa, was ousted by popular DJ Andry Rajoelina.
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 and Ravalomanana is expected to stand.
Rajoelina, 37, has been accused by human rights groups of dragging the country into a spiral of corruption.
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