Madagascar Declares French Diplomat 'Persona Non Grata' for "Destabilization"

Madagascar has taken a firm stance by declaring a diplomat from the French embassy in Antananarivo 'persona non grata,' citing alleged involvement in destabilization activities. The Malagasy Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the French Ambassador, Arnaud Guillois, to communicate this decision, emphasizing that the unnamed French official's conduct was incompatible with his diplomatic status.

This move signals a significant diplomatic rift between Madagascar and its former colonial power. The Malagasy authorities stated that an investigation revealed the diplomat's participation in "acts of destabilization" alongside Malagasy and foreign citizens. The nation underscored its commitment to diplomatic relations based on "mutual trust" and "respect for national sovereignty," principles that appear to have been violated by the French official's alleged actions.

The declaration comes shortly after the arrest of a Malagasy military doctor, Patrick Rakotomamonjy, for alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate the country's president. While authorities have not directly linked these two events, the timing is notable and suggests a period of heightened political sensitivity and security concerns in Madagascar.

From a Malagasy perspective, as reported by ABC Color, this action reflects a strong assertion of national sovereignty. The country, which underwent a military coup in October 2025 and has since been reorienting its foreign policy, has notably deepened ties with Russia. President Michael Randrianirina's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a visit to Paris to meet with Emmanuel Macron, highlight Madagascar's complex diplomatic maneuvering. The expulsion of a French diplomat can be seen as a move to assert independence from former colonial influence and to signal that Madagascar will not tolerate external interference in its internal affairs, especially as it charts its own course in international relations.