By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The diplomatic ties between the East African country of Madagascar and the European country, France, have suffered a major blow following the expulsion of a French diplomat from the coastal country by Colonel Michael Randrianirina’s led interim government. The diplomat, whose name was not mentioned, was declared persona non grata by the host country and asked to leave immediately. This decision has already been passed to the Ambassador of France to the country, Ambassador Arnaud Guillios.
Madagascar is accusing France of making moves it considers to be aimed at removing the interim government in the country, and particularly accused the expelled diplomat of being involved in “destabilizing activities” against the government and people of Madagascar.
Secret agents of Western Powers are often accused of clandestine activities aimed at planting agitation, opposition, or staging an assassination so as to remove a government that has not been favourable to their national interest and replace it with one they consider favourable to their national interest. Sometimes, these agents are passed off into the country as diplomats, and then they go on to engage in espionage, which is considered a very serious security breach by host countries and often leads to the diplomat being declared persona non grata and expelled. Madagascar under the leadership of President Randrianirina, has established relationship with Russia, abandoning France.
A few weeks ago, a general and at least twelve other military officers were arraigned for securing funding to execute the president. Amnesty International has accused the interim government of Colonel Michael Randrianirina of rights violations, arbitrary arrests, and imprisonment.
So far, France has not responded to the accusation that it wants to topple the interim government in Madagascar.
