Prosecutor foils assassination attempt on Madagascar President, Andry Rajoelina

The prosecutor general’s office in Madagascar has said it foiled an assassination attempt on President Andry Rajoelina, and arrested several “foreign and Malagasy” suspects.

Six people including one foreign citizen have been arrested by the police in Madagascar for reportedly plotting to assassinate President Andry Rajoelina.

The arrests, according to Attorney General Berthine Razafiarivony, took place on Tuesday, July 20 as part of a months-long probe "into an attack on state security."

Though the nationality of the foreign suspects has not been confirmed, Razafiarivony stated that the foiled plot included the “killing and neutralization” of top political figures other than the president.

"According to the evidence in our possession, these individuals had devised a plan for the elimination and neutralization of a number of people including the head of state."

Officials did not give details on the extent of the plot or how far advanced it was when the suspects were apprehended. 

Six people were arrested, according to a second statement released by the public security minister on Wednesday: one foreign citizen, two dual citizens, and three Madagascans.

The minister said; 

"The police had information for several months, but only now was there an opportunity to arrest them."

Madagascar has a history of political violence. Former coup leader Andry Rajoelina, 44, was sworn in as president in 2019 after a hard-fought election and a constitutional court challenge from his rival.

Rajoelina first took power in the impoverished former French colony of 26 million people in March 2009, when he ousted Marc Ravalomanana in a coup. Until 2014, he stayed in power as the head of a transitional government.

Although the island is well-known for its distinctive wildlife and vanilla, it is heavily reliant on foreign aid. On a daily basis, nine out of ten people live on less than $2.