While the announcement of the expulsion of an agent from the French embassy caused serious diplomatic tensions between France and Madagascar, Colonel Michael Randrianirina spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a press release from the Malagasy authorities released Wednesday evening.
Published on: 01/05/2026 - 09:34
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The end of the diplomatic crisis between Antananarivo and Paris? Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who took power last October in Madagascar, spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron after the announcement of the expulsion of an agent from the French embassy, according to a press release from the Malagasy leader.
The authorities of the Indian Ocean island summoned the French ambassador to the Malagasy capital on Tuesday to inform him of the expulsion of one of his agents for actions "concerning acts of destabilization". Paris responded by summoning Madagascar's charge d'affaires to France to "vigorously protest" against this decision.
The Frenchman concerned is a French “internal security agent, attached to the Ministry of the Interior”, two sources informed of the case told AFP.
“The president of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar, Mr. Randrianirina Michael, and the President of the French Republic, Mr. Macron Emmanuel, spoke on the telephone yesterday,” indicates the press release from the Malagasy authorities, released Wednesday evening.
“These exchanges allowed the two heads of state to address the facts, described as an isolated act, which led to the summoning of the heads of diplomatic missions of the two countries by the ministries of Foreign Affairs in the two capitals,” the press release added.
Accusations targeting France
The episode follows the broadcast on social networks of accusations targeting France, including a widely shared message claiming without proof that “French mercenaries” had arrived on the island. “These rumors are false,” reacted French diplomacy, describing them as “an attempt to destabilize Madagascar.”
Since the military takeover in October, Madagascar has moved closer to Russia and is reassessing its international relations, including with the former colonial power France, which evacuated ex-President Andry Rajoelina in the wake of his overthrow.
Read alsoArms deliveries, training by Africa Corps: how Russia is strengthening its presence in Madagascar
Invested as "president of the Refoundation" in October, Michael Randrianirina gave himself two years to lead a political transition, after having overthrown his predecessor thanks to a political crisis ignited in the streets by the youth.
The initiators of the September and October protests against water and electricity cuts as well as corruption, namely the Gen Z collectives, moved from suppressed optimism to concern.
Six of their members were arrested for “endangering state security” a few days after a call to demonstrate followed by several dozen people on April 10 to protest against the slow pace of institutional reforms and the insufficient fight against corruption. They have since been released.
With AFP
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