For his first official trip, the new Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison chose a highly symbolic location: the headquarters of the Illicit Asset Recovery Agency (ARAI) in Imerimanjaka. This gesture clearly demonstrates his commitment to placing financial justice and the end of impunity at the heart of his government's actions.

An expert on the anti-corruption system at the Prime Minister's Office

The choice of this visit was not a coincidence. A former pillar of the Bianco for twenty years, then director general of Samifin (financial intelligence), Mamitiana Rajaonarison is a seasoned expert in the fight against hidden financial flows.

By appearing alongside Rado Rajhonson, Director General of ARAI, he sends a strong signal to civil society, which expects concrete results. His mission is twofold:

1. Strengthen judicial repression (often considered too slow).
2. To guarantee the effective recovery of ill-gotten gains to replenish state coffers.

Breaking the barriers of impunity

One of the major obstacles identified by the Prime Minister is the slowness of the procedures. Currently, asset confiscation can only occur after all appeals have been exhausted (often years of appeals to the Supreme Court).

To accelerate the pace, the government plans to rely on two major levers:

1. The National Anti-Corruption Strategy (SNLCC) 2025-2030 : Of which he co-chairs the steering committee.
2. A landmark ruling by the High Constitutional Court : A decision on March 3rd changes everything. The High Constitutional Court has ruled: acts of corruption committed by high-ranking officials are no longer considered related to the exercise of their duties, but rather as abuses of power of a private nature.

What this changes: High-ranking officials will no longer be able to systematically hide behind the immunity of the High Court of Justice (HCJ). They now fall under the jurisdiction of ordinary courts, such as the Anti-Corruption Unit (PAC).

The pressing cases pending

This new legal doctrine unlocks sensitive cases that have long remained "on the back burner" of the justice system, particularly those concerning former high-ranking officials such as Richard Ravalomanana (former president of the Senate) or Valéry Ramonjavelo (former minister).

By going to the ARAI even before the complete formation of her government, Mamitiana Rajaonarison confirms that the "Refounding of the Republic" will involve a relentless hunt for illicit assets and rigorous financial justice.