Justice Minister Fanirisoa Ernaivo announced on TV5 the opening of several investigations into former president Andry Rajoelina and several of his former collaborators. She notably mentioned proceedings concerning suspicions of embezzlement of public funds and abuse of power, as well as a matter directly linked to the nationality of the former head of state. According to the minister, the judiciary was seized to investigate Andry Rajoelina's use of his Malagasy nationality certificate when he ran in the 2023 presidential election. The procedure must notably determine whether the former president could legally claim Malagasy nationality at the time of the election, given that he had previously acquired French nationality. The case is being brought before the courts by the Legislation and Litigation Department of the Prime Minister's Office, confirmed Bienvenue Manjany, prosecutor general at the Supreme Court, in a video published on the Justice Ministry's social media pages. This prime minister's department reportedly seized the judicial authorities on August 18 regarding the conditions for obtaining and using the nationality certificate presented by Andry Rajoelina to run in the 2023 presidential election. At the heart of the matter is Article 42 of Ordinance No. 60-064 of July 22, 1960 establishing the Malagasy Nationality Code. It provides that "a Malagasy adult who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Malagasy nationality." According to elements presented in the complaint, Andry Rajoelina acquired French nationality on November 19, 2019. It is now up to the courts to determine the legal consequences of this situation and establish whether an offense was committed. Bienvenue Manjany, prosecutor general at the Supreme Court, indicated that the investigation was open and that the files were in the hands of investigating judges. Hearing the complainants, notably representatives of the Legislation and Litigation Department of the Prime Minister's Office, should help determine the next steps in the proceedings and which persons may be summoned. The absence from Malagasy territory of certain persons who may be involved should not interrupt the investigations. According to explanations given by the prosecutor general, the procedural rules provided for by legislation must be applied by the investigating judge, including when the person in question is abroad. The question of Andry Rajoelina's nationality had already provoked considerable controversy before the 2023 presidential election. The former president had then defended the legality of his situation and his candidacy.