Madagascar arrests generals over plot to kill President Rajoelina

The arrested include five generals and several active police officers, meaning 21 people are now being investigated over last month’s foiled assassination.

Authorities have also seized a gun and $250,000 (£180,000), local media said.

The attempt on President Andry Rajoelina’s life was among ongoing turbulence rocking the island nation.

Madagascar has been under a lockdown since the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year and its southern region is in the grips of a famine.

The president was among the people whose “elimination and neutralization” plan was foiled, according to a statement made by the authorities last month.

It happened one month after an additional failed attempt to assassinate the head of the country’s police force.

Attorney General Berthine Razafiarivony announced that 12 “active military and police personnel, including five generals, two captains, and five non-commissioned officers” were among the most recent arrests.

According to her, five of those detained are civilians, and the remaining four are retired national and international law enforcement and military officers.

Last week, a number of tourists and locals were taken into custody.

With military support, Mr. Rajoelina, 47, first took over from Marc Ravalomanana in 2009.