Authorities in Madagascar have detained a former French serviceman accused of involvement in a plot to destabilise the island nation.

He is also accused of inciting members of the security forces to mutiny and sabotage key infrastructure to trigger nationwide blackouts.

Separately, Madagascar’s Foreign Ministry expelled a French diplomat.

The move prompted France to summon Madagascar’s chargé d’affaires in Paris in protest over the expulsion, while firmly rejecting the allegations that it had any role in attempts to undermine the Malagasy government.

–Channel Africa–