Legal Cooperation Between Madagascar and Mauritius: Malagasy Minister of Justice Visits Mauritius
The Malagasy Minister of Justice, Fanirisoa Ernaivo, will be visiting Mauritius on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. This mission aims to strengthen legal cooperation between Madagascar and Mauritius, particularly in the fight against tax evasion and economic corruption. It reflects a commitment to sustainably protect economic sovereignty and the general interest of the Malagasy population.
In this context, the minister plans to meet with Attorney General Gavin Glover, the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), and other relevant organizations. A key agenda item includes the case of businessman Maminiaina (Mamy) Ravatomanga.
Additionally, Malagasy delegations have been present in Mauritius since January 31, 2026. They include Tsaraleha Jean Arsène, chief of staff at the Malagasy Ministry of Justice; Onitia Ramanana, director of communication at the same ministry; and Harry Laurent Rahajason (Rolly Mercia), former Minister of Communication and Culture, currently the communication director at the Presidency of the Republic of Madagascar. He was also the former general manager of Sodiat, a company owned by Mamy Ravatomanga.
At 57, the Malagasy tycoon faces two provisional charges of money laundering and one charge of conspiracy before the Port Louis court. He was arrested on October 24, 2025, by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC).
According to the first two charges, he is accused of holding Rs 6,456,055,996.29 and Rs 858,489,298.21 in various banks, funds suspected of originating from illicit activities.
Regarding the third charge, Mamy Ravatomanga is suspected of having made an agreement with David Jean Christian Thomas, Nasser Osman Beekhy, and Me Junaid Haroon Fakim, former commissioner of the FCC, to commit an influence trafficking offense related to a commission investigation on October 14, 2025.
He is currently in provisional detention at Melrose prison. He requested bail on December 30, 2025, which was denied by the BRC, and he is appealing this decision. This request is directed at the BRC, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the FCC. The case is scheduled for hearing on February 16, 2026.
Who is Fanirisoa Ernaivo?
Fanirisoa Ernaivo, the Malagasy Minister of Justice, is a lawyer, magistrate, and politician. She has held various positions within Madagascar's judicial system before engaging in trade unionism and then politics. Since October 2025, she has served as the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of Madagascar.
What the Malagasy judiciary accuses the tycoon of
According to a statement issued by the Malagasy judiciary, Mamy Ravatomanga committed national crimes in Madagascar from 2009 to 2025, which allegedly led to money laundering and conspiracy operations in Mauritius.
The statement recalls the night of October 11, 2025, when the Malagasy businessman landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport aboard his private jet.
Since then, the Ministry of Justice highlights that a series of judicial revelations have emerged in both Madagascar and Mauritius.
Furthermore, the statement indicates that Mamy Ravatomanga has previously faced legal proceedings in Madagascar, including cases related to five Boeing 777s destined for Iran, gold trafficking, rosewood trafficking, fraud in lychee exports, massive illicit fund flows in trade, and influence peddling, among other serious criminal offenses.
These factors led Malagasy judicial authorities to issue an international arrest warrant against the Malagasy tycoon and to enlist Interpol for his arrest, wherever he may be, for his transfer to Madagascar to face justice.
The document also indicates that Mamy Ravatomanga may have been involved in business transactions concerning wheat, flour, and lychees. It specifies that the Malagasy judiciary has already seized all movable and immovable assets of the businessman, as well as all his bank accounts opened in various institutions, by the Asset Recovery Agency (ARAI), an entity under the national anti-corruption framework. These measures remain in effect pending the final resolution of the legal proceedings against him.
The legal panel of Mamy Ravatomanga: "Our client is a political victim"
According to the legal panel representing Mamy Ravatomanga, composed of local and international lawyers, the Malagasy businessman currently faces provisional charges before the Mauritian judiciary. It is in this context that these proceedings have taken place. The defense argues that these charges are based solely on "allegations," which the panel describes as "unfounded" and "lacking concrete evidence."
The lawyers assert that Mamy Ravatomanga intends to prove his innocence before the Mauritian judiciary, which he considers a "rule of law" and in which he claims to have full confidence to achieve justice. They emphasize that this case has caused him significant harm, damaging his reputation and that of his family.
Additionally, the legal panel of Mamy Ravatomanga states that their client has fully cooperated with the Mauritian authorities and has denied all accusations against him.
Another point highlighted by the legal panel concerns the current political situation in Madagascar. According to them, the country has faced a coup d'état and is currently led by military personnel. Furthermore, Madagascar has been suspended by the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which granted it a twenty-four-month deadline to restore democracy and the rule of law.
Regarding the "allegations" against Mamy Ravatomanga in Madagascar, the panel indicates that they could lead to legal consequences, including civil actions for damages and defamation. These actions will be initiated in due course. Mamy Ravatomanga's lawyers maintain that their client is a victim of "political considerations" in Madagascar.