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Thirteen people, including a general, have been charged in Madagascar over an alleged plot to assassinate interim leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina, prosecutors said Thursday.
Randrianirina seized power in October following youth-led protests that ousted former President Andry Rajoelina.
Public prosecutor Narindra Navalona Rakotoniaina said 11 suspects are in custody, while arrest warrants have been issued for the remaining individuals.
Rakotoniaina confirmed that senior officers were implicated, including a general who publicly expressed interest in participating in a coup.
“It should be noted that senior officers are among those implicated in this case, including a general who has already spoken out publicly and expressed his intention to participate in a coup d’etat,” Rakotoniaina said.
Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy, previously a director in the presidency until his January dismissal, is among those accused of organising the operation.
Investigators uncovered WhatsApp messages between the suspects, and some admitted that funds in their accounts were used to finance the plot. Authorities also seized large sums of money and weapons from their homes.
The alleged assassination attempt comes amid ongoing political instability following mass protests over water and power shortages that forced Rajoelina to flee the country.
Randrianirina, whose army unit backed the protesters, has pledged to hold elections by late 2027, though his new cabinet has faced criticism for lacking representation from the Gen Z youth movement that helped topple Rajoelina.
