Madagascar pauses corruption cases relating to ex-president, officials

Madagascar's judiciary has paused three major corruption cases involving ex-president Andry Rajoelina and several of his former officials. The proceedings remain suspended while the country's High Constitutional Court has to investigate whether the court actually has jurisdiction to hear the cases. In Madagascar, cases involving former government officials need to be judged by the High Court of Justice. But for this rule to take effect, a former official first needs to be accused by members of parliament. The three corruption cases notably concern alleged misappropriation of 36 kilograms of gold from the Ministry of Mines and Strategic Resources, the alleged misappropriation of public funds in the awarding of contracts to supply desks and benches to schools and finally the management of the sovereign wealth fund. Because of the rule relating to former government officials, 15 other similar cases have reportedly been held up at the parliament for five years.