Andrianafidisoa, popularly known asFidy (died 6 October 2021), was a military general of theArmy of Madagascar and a Director of the National Mines and Strategic Industries Office (OMNIS).[1] He allegedlyattempted a coup d'état against Malagasy PresidentMarc Ravalomanana on 18 November 2006.
Prior to his alleged coup attempt, in October 2006 General Andrianafidisoa had been barred from running for president inthe election scheduled for 3 December 2006, for not paying the required deposit of 25,000,000ariary.[2] Andrianafidisoa had earlier supported Ravalomanana in his struggle againstDidier Ratsiraka over election results in 2002,[3] and led an attack by pro-Ravalomanana forces onFianarantsoa at that time.
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 atIvato Airport, seeking support from soldiers. One soldier was reported killed in a clash there, and Ravalomanana's flight, returning fromEurope, was diverted toMahajanga.[4] Andrianafidisoa'stakeover 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."
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] On 22 November, Andrianafidisoa received the backing of eight of the 14 presidential candidates, who said he was defending the constitution and the interests of the nation.[1][5]
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 12 December at a hotel, and that he did not resist.[6] Several guns, along with ammunition, were found with him. Police began interrogating Andrianafidisoa on 14 December.[7] 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 2 February 2007, and stated his intention to appeal the verdict.[8] On 20 February, he received an additional three-year prison sentence.
Ravalomanana wasforced out of office by a combination of popular protests and military intervention in March 2009. Opposition leaderAndry Rajoelina then took over as President of the High Authority of the Transition and promptly pardoned Andrianafidisoa, along with many other political prisoners, on 26 March 2009.[9]
Andrianafidisoa died on 6 October 2021 at the age of 57.[10]