Ravalomanana 'to return to Madagascar Saturday'

Madagascar's ex-president Marc Ravalomanana said Friday he will return home from exile in South Africa on Saturday, almost three years after he was ousted by the island's current leader Andry Rajoelina. "It is with great pleasure and carrying the hopes and aspirations of all Malagasy for a return to peace and freedom in our beloved country that I announce, once again, that I will return to Madagascar tomorrow," Ravalomanana told a press conference in Johannesburg. Ravalomanana had previously tried to return home in February last year, but was blocked at the airport by airline officials who said they had received a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) order from Madagascar that the country would turn away any aircraft that had him on board. The self-made millionaire said Friday he was confident that the scenario would not repeat itself. "It has taken a year of hard negotiation to get back to the point where I am confident that I can now return to my beloved country, ending three years of exile in South Africa," he said.