Madagascar's exiled former President Marc Ravalomanana was forced to return to South Africa on Saturday after his flight was prevented from landing . . . Ravalomanana had been exiled in 2009 following a military coup led by Andry Rajoelina, the former mayor of the capital, Antananarivo . . . this was Ravalomanana’s second attempt to return to Madagascar, which is preparing for elections next year under the unity transitional government of Rajoelina . . . the government claims Ravalomanana will be arrested if he returns, as he was convicted in absentia for the death of opposition protesters who were killed by his government . . . it appears likely that Ravalomanana will be arrested if he is allowed to return . . . the Madagascar elections could further destabilize the region if it is marred by corruption or if violence erupts between supporters of Rajoelina and Ravalomanana.