The message is clear: no leader from the old regime will be spared despite ongoing national consultation and political dialogue. Justice Minister Fanirisoa Ernaivo is launching a genuine witch hunt against the barons of the former regime. During an interview with TV5Monde, the Keeper of the Seals mentioned the opening of judicial investigations against former president Andry Rajoelina, ex-Prime Minister Ntsay Christian, former mayor of Antananarivo urban commune Naina Andriantsitohaina, and businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, who has been imprisoned in the high-security Melrose prison on Mauritius since October 25, 2025.

The message is unmistakable. No leader from the old regime will be spared despite the ongoing national consultation process and political dialogue. Through the Justice Minister's statement, it is clear that those holding power in the Refoundation intend to disregard recommendations from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which insists on the release of political prisoners and the immediate halt of prosecutions and persecutions against deposed leaders.

Accusations of abuse of power, corruption, embezzlement, and complicity in the misappropriation of public funds are among the charges brought against these leaders of the "Volomboasary" regime. Regarding Andry Rajoelina, Fanirisoa Ernaivo affirms that an investigation was launched last week against the former president. Just last Thursday, her ministry officially opened an investigation following a complaint from the Directorate of Legislation and Disputes (DLC) to the Prime Minister's office to determine the conditions that allowed the former president to obtain a Malagasy nationality certificate during the 2023 presidential election while already holding French nationality. Furthermore, INJET's bank accounts have been frozen and all company assets seized.

As for his Prime Minister, Ntsay Christian, this is the first time since the crisis began that his name has been mentioned in a legal matter. The Justice Minister announced during the interview that the former occupant of Mahazoarivo is also subject to an investigation. Like the former president, the ex-PM is accused of involvement in the desk-bench affair involving former Education Minister Sahondrarimalala Marie Michelle.

Naina Andriantsitohaina is also targeted by an arrest warrant. The former mayor of the City of a Thousand is said to have left the country and is now in South Africa or Belgium, according to Fanirisoa Ernaivo. She remains convinced that one day, he who was Foreign Affairs Minister and then Minister of Decentralization and Territorial Development, will be caught in his flight. Currently, the Justice Ministry team is working to request the extradition of businessman Mamy Ravatomanga. As in the case of former president Andry Rajoelina's company, his bank accounts, as well as those of his wife and children, have also been frozen, all family assets seized, and all SODIAT group companies placed under judicial administration by the Anti-Corruption Unit (PAC). "He must answer for his actions before Malagasy justice, regardless of the outcome of his trial in Mauritius," the Keeper of the Seals insisted.

Four major figures from the old regime are now in justice's crosshairs. However, many observers believe the approach amounts to mere announcement, as the procedure has no chance of succeeding. Regarding former president Andry Rajoelina's case, for example, it is well known that France never extradites its nationals. Many therefore believe that the objective of these legal cases is to prevent the ex-president and potential substitute candidates from running in the next elections. Account freezes mainly aim to cut off potential sources of campaign funds to completely destroy the former ruling party and clear the way for the Refoundation's candidate.