Mme Ravalomanana Speaks To International News Agency Reuters About Her Vision For Madagascar

Madame Ravalomanana, presidential candidate for the Mouvance in Madagascar, has given her first interview since the publication of her presidential pledge with the internationally recognised news agency Reuters. In the interview Lalao Ravalomanana spoke out about her vision for Madagascar and her motivations for running, refuting suggestions that she was running on behalf of her husband.

"I am my own person. I will be the president. It will be his turn to run the company," said Madame Ravalomanana, who managed Tiko when her husband was president and further repudiates the suggestion by stating: "it would be impossible for a married couple to run a country together."

She spoke about her dreams for Madagascar by relating: "as a woman, my aim is to give the Malagasy people the spiritual food they need since we are made of flesh, we must also talk of food for the body.' To achieve this Madame Ravalomanana counts on international help, explaining that "as soon as the foreigners see that there is peace, security, that we are making a difference, they will come back, their hearts are not made of stone."

As a practising Protestant Christian, faith guides a large part of her motivations. "This call came from God," she explains, "when you know how to work with the people, to share with them the fruits of growth, I know that there will be justice in this country." It is this trust in her people and her country, which also drives her presidential ambitions.

Madame Lalao Ravalomanana is the Presidential Candidate for the Mouvance Ravalomanana, a growing coalition of political parties dedicated to bringing a secure, peaceful and prosperous future to Madagascar. For high resolution images free to download, visit the Mouvance Ravalomanana Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96646855@N04/
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