Authorities in Madagascar have detained a former French serviceman accused of involvement in a plot to destabilise the country, including plans to incite a military mutiny and sabotage key infrastructure, prosecutors said.
The arrest comes alongside a diplomatic escalation, with Madagascar’s foreign ministry declaring an agent at the French Embassy in Antananarivo persona non grata over alleged links to the investigation.
Madagascar, a former French colony with longstanding political and economic ties to France, has faced repeated bouts of instability in recent decades.
The current leadership under President Michael Randrianirina came to power in October following youth-led protests that ousted his predecessor Andry Rajoelina.
France rejected the allegations, summoning Madagascar’s chargé d’affaires in Paris and dismissing the accusations as “unfounded” and “incomprehensible,” according to a statement from the French embassy.
Deputy Prosecutor Nomenarinera Mihamintsoa Ramanantsoa said the main suspect, identified as former French serviceman Guy Baret, has been placed in pretrial detention at a maximum-security prison.
A Malagasy army officer, Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy, and several others have also been implicated in the alleged conspiracy.
Prosecutors say the group planned coordinated actions for April 18, including triggering power outages, disrupting transport networks, mobilising youths for unrest, and encouraging members of the security forces to rebel against state institutions.
The suspects face multiple charges, including spreading false information, criminal conspiracy, harbouring fugitives, and plotting sabotage of infrastructure such as power lines and thermal plants operated by the state utility.
Authorities cited a WhatsApp group — named “Revolution of the Brave Citizens” — as key evidence, alleging it was used to organise the planned actions.
Madagascar’s foreign ministry said French Ambassador Arnaud Guillois was summoned over the embassy-linked agent, though officials did not disclose the individual’s identity or the specific acts in question.
Two additional suspects have been placed under judicial supervision, while Rakotomamonjy is expected to appear before an investigating judge as the probe continues.
Reuters could not immediately reach the accused or confirm whether they had legal representation.