HERY RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA

Hery Rajaonarimampianina was born into a modest family in the Sabotsy Namehana neighborhood of Antananarivo, Madagascar. He began his educational journey in Madagascar, where he earned an MBA in 1982 from the University of Antananarivo. Eager to deepen his expertise, he moved to Canada to pursue further studies in finance and accounting at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. By 1986, he had earned a postgraduate diploma in accounting science, and five years later, he became a certified accountant with a Canadian Diploma of Accounting from the Certified General Accountant's Association.

Returning to Madagascar in 1991, Rajaonarimampianina began his professional career as an accountant. He soon took on a dual role, serving as the studies director at the National Institute for Business Administration and Accounting Science (INSCAE) and teaching at the University of Antananarivo. By 1995, he established his own accounting firm, Auditeurs Associes, which became a prominent player in Madagascar, providing services to both local and international clients. Over time, he became a respected figure in the accounting field, even serving as President of Madagascar's Professional Order of Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors.

In 2009, Hery Rajaonarimampianina transitioned to the political arena, taking on the role of Minister of Finance and Budget. This was a challenging period for Madagascar, as international donors had withdrawn support following political upheaval the previous year. Undeterred, he set his sights on the presidency in 2013, founding the political organization Hery Vaovao hoan'i Madagasikara, or "New Forces for Madagascar." His candidacy resonated with many voters, and he emerged as one of the top contenders in the crowded race. Though he initially placed second in the first round of voting, he rallied significant support from key political figures and ultimately won the presidency in a second round deemed credible by international observers.

During his presidency, Rajaonarimampianina faced both internal and external challenges. In 2015, an attempt was made to impeach him over allegations of incompetence and constitutional violations. However, the constitutional court dismissed the motion as unfounded. Throughout his tenure, his close association with church events sparked criticism, with some accusing him of compromising Madagascar's secular principles. Yet, Rajaonarimampianina continued to engage with the largest religious communities in the country.

Ahead of the 2018 presidential election, Rajaonarimampianina resigned from office in accordance with the Malagasy constitution, which required him to step down 60 days before the election. As one of his final acts as president, he appointed new army generals and ambassadors, underscoring his continued influence in the country’s political landscape.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hery_Rajaonarimampianina