Madagascar Jails French Ex‑Serviceman, Expels Diplomat Over Power‑Grid Sabotage Plot

*TL;DR: Madagascar has placed former French serviceman Guy Baret in pre‑trial detention and expelled a French embassy employee, accusing them of a scheme to sabotage state‑run power infrastructure.*

Context Madagascar’s military ruler, President Michael Randrianirina, seized power in October after mass protests forced out his predecessor. The island nation, a former French colony, maintains close ties with France but has faced recurring instability. Recent unrest over water and energy shortages heightened scrutiny of foreign influence.

Key Facts - Deputy Prosecutor Nomenarinera Mihamintsoa Ramanantsoa announced that Guy Baret, a former French national serviceman, is now held in pre‑trial detention at Tsiafahy maximum‑security prison. - Prosecutors charge Baret, a Malagasy army colonel, and several accomplices with spreading false information, harboring wanted individuals, and conspiring to sabotage infrastructure. - The alleged target includes power lines and thermal plants operated by Jirama, Madagascar’s state utility responsible for electricity generation and distribution. - Authorities say the plot was slated for April 18, but was uncovered before any damage occurred. - In a related move, Madagascar declared an unnamed French embassy agent persona non grata, effectively expelling the diplomat. The foreign ministry summoned French Ambassador Arnaud Guillois to deliver the decision. - France responded by summoning the Madagascan charge d’affaires in Paris, rejecting the accusations as “unfounded” and “incomprehensible.”

What It Means The detention of Baret and the expulsion of a French diplomat signal a sharp escalation in Madagascar’s crackdown on perceived foreign interference. By targeting a former French serviceman and a diplomatic staffer, the government underscores its willingness to confront external actors it deems threats to national security. The focus on Jirama’s power assets highlights the strategic importance of energy infrastructure in a country where electricity shortages have fueled public discontent.

The episode may strain Madagascar‑France relations, already delicate after France assisted the ousted leader’s escape. Ongoing legal proceedings will test the island’s judicial capacity and could set precedents for handling foreign nationals accused of subversive activities.

Looking ahead, observers will watch whether Madagascar pursues additional charges, how France’s diplomatic protest evolves, and if the incident prompts broader security reforms or impacts foreign investment in the island’s energy sector.