Madagascar: President Rajoelina speaks out on the alleged coup attempt

President Andry Rajoelina, November 6, 2020. Mamyrael / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina spoke at length on Sunday August 8 on national television about the alleged coup attempt.

The case was revealed on July 22.

Several people have since been arrested including a French and a Franco-Malagasy.

They are presented as the brains of the foiled putsch.

Publicity

Read more

For the moment, nothing points to a possible involvement of France in the matter, but certain Malagasy press titles are critical. This comes in a context where diplomatic relations have deteriorated in recent months between Paris and Tananarivo. President Andry Rajoelina, he assures to rely on justice, since, in his words, it is the investigation that will define whether it is an

isolated act or not

. "

I did not problem in my relations with France. We must let justice speak, 

”he said.

Paul Rafanoharana and Philippe François, the two French arrested on Tuesday July 20, are currently in Tsiafahy prison.

They were notably charged with endangering state security.

The difference in points of view should not lead to aggression 

."

If there was this assassination project, it is because of my commitment to protect our nation 

", also launched Andry Rajoelina without further details, before returning to certain aspects of the affair.

He recalled that Philippe François is a former colonel in the French army who served in Chad, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

To read also:

Madagascar: 21 defendants in the coup attempt referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office

He mentioned the involvement of an important politician without giving his nationality or any other details also speaking of a request for financing of 10 million euros sent by Paul Rafanoharana to

the majority shareholder of the company Madagascar Oil

, Benchmark Group, for purposes of political destabilization.

Elements which had been for the most part already revealed by the Malagasy justice which has just started the investigation on the merits of the case.

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Madagascar

  • Andry Rajoelina