Madagascar foils alleged coup plot

Madagascar has detained a former French serviceman over an alleged plot to destabilize the country. Authorities say the suspect, Guy Baret, worked with local accomplices, including a senior army officer, to plan disruptions such as power outages, traffic chaos, and attempts to incite a military mutiny. The operation, reportedly coordinated through a WhatsApp group, was scheduled for mid-April but was foiled before execution. In a related move, the government expelled a French embassy official tied to the investigation, citing acts “incompatible with diplomatic status.” Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest countries, has a turbulent political history, and its current military ruler only seized power last October following youth-led protests against his predecessor.

The Straits Times