Madagascar imewashtaki washukiwa 13, akiwemo jenerali mmoja, kwa tuhuma za kupanga njama ya kumuua kiongozi wa mpito Michael Randrianirina, huku nchi hiyo ikiendelea kukumbwa na hali ya mvutano wa kisiasa kufuatia maandamano ya mwaka jana.
Mwendesha mashtaka wa serikali, Narindra Navalona Rakotoniaina, alisema washukiwa 11 tayari wamewekwa kizuizini, huku hati za kukamatwa zikitolewa kwa wengine wanaohusishwa na njama hiyo ya kumuua kiongozi huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 52.
Alisema pia kuwa maafisa waandamizi wanahusika katika kesi hiyo, akiwemo jenerali mmoja ambaye tayari alishawahi kuzungumza hadharani na kueleza nia yake ya kushiriki mapinduzi. Hata hivyo, hakumtaja jenerali huyo kwa jina, lakini alithibitisha kuwa Kanali Patrick Rakotomamonjy ni miongoni mwa waliopanga na kuratibu operesheni hiyo. Rakotomamonjy aliwahi kushika nafasi ya uongozi katika ofisi ya rais kabla ya kufutwa kazi Januari.
Uchunguzi umebaini ujumbe wa WhatsApp uliokuwa ukibadilishana kati ya washukiwa, na baadhi yao wamekiri kuwa walitumia fedha kutoka akaunti zao binafsi kufadhili mpango huo. Aidha, upekuzi uliofanywa katika nyumba za washukiwa ulisababisha kupatikana kwa kiasi kikubwa cha fedha pamoja na silaha.
Mwezi Machi 2026, Randrianirina alitangaza kuunda serikali mpya baada ya kuvunja baraza lake la mawaziri mapema mwezi huo, lakini bado hakuwajumuisha wawakilishi wa vuguvugu la vijana wa Gen Z, ambao walikuwa na mchango mkubwa katika kuondoka madarakani kwa Rajoelina.
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Madagascar has charged 13 suspects, including a general, over an alleged plot to assassinate interim leader Michael Randrianirina, as the country grapples with political unrest following last year’s protests.
Randrianirina came to power in October following youth-led protests that forced his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina, to step down.
State prosecutor Narindra Navalona Rakotoniaina said 11 suspects have been placed in detention, while arrest warrants have been issued for others linked to the alleged assassination plot targeting the 52-year-old leader.
“It should be noted that senior officers are among those involved in this case, including a general who has already spoken publicly and expressed his intention to take part in a coup,” she said.
Rakotoniaina did not name the general but confirmed that Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy was among those who had “designed and organised” the operation. Rakotomamonjy previously held a director-level position at the presidency until his dismissal in January.
Investigators uncovered WhatsApp messages exchanged between the suspects, and some have admitted that funds from their personal accounts were used to finance the plot, the prosecutor added.
Searches carried out at the suspects’ homes also led to the discovery of large sums of money and weapons.
The alleged plot comes amid ongoing political turmoil, after mass protests over water and electricity shortages forced former president Rajoelina to flee the country.
Randrianirina, whose military unit backed the protesters, has pledged to hold elections by the end of 2027. However, his initial government drew criticism for including members of the political elite.
In March, he announced the formation of a new government after dissolving his cabinet earlier in the month, once again excluding representatives from the Gen Z youth movement that played a key role in Rajoelina’s downfall.
Source: African news
Mwendesha mashtaka wa serikali, Narindra Navalona Rakotoniaina, alisema washukiwa 11 tayari wamewekwa kizuizini, huku hati za kukamatwa zikitolewa kwa wengine wanaohusishwa na njama hiyo ya kumuua kiongozi huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 52.
Alisema pia kuwa maafisa waandamizi wanahusika katika kesi hiyo, akiwemo jenerali mmoja ambaye tayari alishawahi kuzungumza hadharani na kueleza nia yake ya kushiriki mapinduzi. Hata hivyo, hakumtaja jenerali huyo kwa jina, lakini alithibitisha kuwa Kanali Patrick Rakotomamonjy ni miongoni mwa waliopanga na kuratibu operesheni hiyo. Rakotomamonjy aliwahi kushika nafasi ya uongozi katika ofisi ya rais kabla ya kufutwa kazi Januari.
Uchunguzi umebaini ujumbe wa WhatsApp uliokuwa ukibadilishana kati ya washukiwa, na baadhi yao wamekiri kuwa walitumia fedha kutoka akaunti zao binafsi kufadhili mpango huo. Aidha, upekuzi uliofanywa katika nyumba za washukiwa ulisababisha kupatikana kwa kiasi kikubwa cha fedha pamoja na silaha.
Mwezi Machi 2026, Randrianirina alitangaza kuunda serikali mpya baada ya kuvunja baraza lake la mawaziri mapema mwezi huo, lakini bado hakuwajumuisha wawakilishi wa vuguvugu la vijana wa Gen Z, ambao walikuwa na mchango mkubwa katika kuondoka madarakani kwa Rajoelina.
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Madagascar has charged 13 suspects, including a general, over an alleged plot to assassinate interim leader Michael Randrianirina, as the country grapples with political unrest following last year’s protests.
Randrianirina came to power in October following youth-led protests that forced his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina, to step down.
State prosecutor Narindra Navalona Rakotoniaina said 11 suspects have been placed in detention, while arrest warrants have been issued for others linked to the alleged assassination plot targeting the 52-year-old leader.
“It should be noted that senior officers are among those involved in this case, including a general who has already spoken publicly and expressed his intention to take part in a coup,” she said.
Rakotoniaina did not name the general but confirmed that Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy was among those who had “designed and organised” the operation. Rakotomamonjy previously held a director-level position at the presidency until his dismissal in January.
Investigators uncovered WhatsApp messages exchanged between the suspects, and some have admitted that funds from their personal accounts were used to finance the plot, the prosecutor added.
Searches carried out at the suspects’ homes also led to the discovery of large sums of money and weapons.
The alleged plot comes amid ongoing political turmoil, after mass protests over water and electricity shortages forced former president Rajoelina to flee the country.
Randrianirina, whose military unit backed the protesters, has pledged to hold elections by the end of 2027. However, his initial government drew criticism for including members of the political elite.
In March, he announced the formation of a new government after dissolving his cabinet earlier in the month, once again excluding representatives from the Gen Z youth movement that played a key role in Rajoelina’s downfall.
Source: African news
