Regional bloc scolds Madagascar ex-leader's wife

The former president and his wife have repeatedly tried and failed to return to Madagascar. By Stephane de Sakutin (AFP)

ANTANANARIVO (AFP) - The Southern African Development Community on Tuesday condemned the failed bid by former Madagascan president Marc Ravalomanana's wife to return home while peace talks were in progress.

SADC said in a statement it was "dismayed by the surreptitious attempt by Mrs Ravalomanana to enter Madagascar in contravention of the current engagements."

Ravalomanana was ousted in March 2009 by the island's current leader Andry Rajoelina and has lived in exile in South Africa since.

The conditions of his return are seen a key step in efforts to lift the impoverished nation out of a protracted political crisis and are being discussed by the two rivals under the regional bloc's aegis.

Last Friday Lalao Ravalomanana flew from Johannesburg to Madagascar to visit her family but was turned away by authorities and deported to Thailand.

Her visit came just two days after SADC brought Ravalomanana and Rajoelina together on a Seychelles island for unprecedented direct talks.

Rajoelina's office described the attempt by Ravalomanana's wife to return as "provocative" and in "flagrant violation of the resolutions taken at the face-to-face talks held in Seychelles."

The former president and his wife have repeatedly tried and failed to enter the country since 2009. Their son Tojo lives on the island.