Madagascar Arrests Former French Soldier Over Destabilization Plot
Theo Al Jazeera English
Madagascar has arrested a former French soldier and a local colonel on charges of plotting to sabotage infrastructure and destabilize the island. The government also expelled a French embassy employee linked to the plot, prompting a sharp rebuke from France, which dismissed the allegations as baseless.
On Tuesday, Madagascar's Deputy Prosecutor Nomenarinera Mihamintsoa Ramanantsoa said in a video statement that French citizen Guy Baret, a former soldier, had been remanded in custody at the Tsiafahy maximum-security prison. A Madagascar army officer, Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy, along with several other accomplices, has also been charged.
According to the deputy prosecutor, the suspects are accused of spreading false information to disrupt public order, conspiring to sabotage infrastructure including power lines and a thermal power plant operated by state-owned company Jirama, harboring wanted individuals, and plotting organized crime. The group allegedly planned to act from April 18.
Colonel Rakotomamonjy is awaiting appearance before an investigating judge. Two other suspects have been placed under judicial supervision. Prosecutors indicated that they are not believed to be the masterminds behind the plot.
Madagascar, a former French colony, maintains close political ties with Paris. The island nation has experienced multiple periods of instability in recent decades. President Michael Randrianirina, a military leader, took power in October 2024 after a wave of youth-led protests against his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina.
France helped Rajoelina flee abroad in October amid escalating protests over water and energy shortages, ultimately forcing him to relinquish power.
In a related development, Madagascar declared a French embassy employee persona non grata, with allegations linked to the destabilization plot. Madagascar's Foreign Ministry said French Ambassador Arnaud Guillois was summoned and informed of the decision, but did not disclose the employee's identity or specific actions.
France strongly condemned the move. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said France had summoned Madagascar's acting ambassador in Paris to protest vehemently. “He was informed that France categorically rejects all allegations of destabilizing the 'Reinvention' regime of the Republic of Madagascar,” Confavreux stated, calling the accusations “baseless and incomprehensible.”
