Madagascar detains former officials over alleged plot to incite unrest
Madagascar’s Justice Ministry says former Tourism and Handicrafts secretary-general Yves Maurice Rakotoniaina and former Education Minister Paul Rabary have been placed in pre-trial detention over an alleged plot to incite unrest and destabilise the state.
Speaking in Antananarivo on Friday, deputy prosecutor Nomenarinera Mihamintsoa Ramanantsoa said the two men were brought before prosecutors over accusations of planning acts of violence and attempting to overthrow the government.
“Individuals were brought before the prosecution office in Antananarivo over an alleged plot to organise acts of unrest and attempt to overthrow the state and the nation,” Ramanantsoa said.
According to prosecutors, the charges include conspiring to attack senior state officials, inciting violence among citizens, spreading false information likely to disturb public order, and participating in a criminal organisation under Articles 215 and 216 of Madagascar’s Penal Code.
Investigators said they uncovered private messages allegedly linked to secret meetings in Antananarivo, as well as sums of money in ariary and euros believed to have been intended to finance the operation.
Ramanantsoa said an examining judge ordered Rakotoniaina to be held at Tsiafahy Prison and Rabary at Antanimora Prison pending trial.
He added that arrest warrants would also be issued for other suspects linked to the case who have not yet appeared before the court.
Rabary served as education minister under former President Hery Rajaonarimampianina and currently leads the Ny Firenenko party. Rakotoniaina, also known as “Ive Mo,” served as secretary-general at the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts from 2021 until November 2025.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
