Madagascar has said it had expelled a French diplomat after summoning the country's ambassador, citing alleged involvement in destabilisation activities.
Ambassador Arnaud Guillois was informed of the government's decision "to declare a member of the French embassy accredited in Antananarivo persona non grata, on account of conduct deemed incompatible with his status", the foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, without naming the staff member.
It did not specify the nature of the alleged destabilisation activities, but said the decision followed ongoing investigations involving both Malagasy and foreign nationals.
Tuesday's expulsion follows social media accusations against France, including claims that "French mercenaries" had arrived on the island.
The French foreign ministry rejected the allegations, saying: "These rumours are false."
The Indian Ocean island has faced repeated political turmoil and has been led since October by Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who seized power after youth-led protests forced out his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina.
Rajoelina fled Madagascar in October as the protests over lack of water and energy escalated and ultimately forced him from power, departing with assistance from France, the former colonial power.
'Climate of fear'
In recent weeks, scattered protests have erupted in the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo, over the new administration's slow pace of reforms and perceived inaction on corruption.
Several young people are among those arrested in a series of police crackdowns.
At least two remain in police custody on charges of "breach of state security", an offence that allows authorities to detain suspects for up to two weeks without trial, their lawyer, Maitre Maromanana Aliarivelo, said.
Rights group Amnesty International warned this month that Madagascan authorities were using arbitrary detentions to foster a "climate of fear" and stifle dissent.
Randrianirina has accused demonstrators of receiving foreign funding to foment unrest.
Prosecutors in Madagascar said earlier this month that 13 people, including a general, had been charged over an alleged plot to assassinate Randrianirina, 52.
The interim president, who denies staging a coup, has pledged to return power to civilians within two years.
A transition roadmap published in February outlines national consultations in 2026, followed by a new constitution and a presidential election by the end of 2027.
Drawn closer to Russia
Madagascar is the latest former French colony in Africa to come under military rule since 2020, following coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, whose juntas have since drawn closer to Russia.
Russia was the third country Randrianirina visited after taking power, meeting President Vladimir Putin.
In January, Russian military instructors visited the island to train local forces on Moscow-supplied equipment, including kamikaze drones.
The delegation was led by deputy Russian military intelligence chief Andrei Averyanov, who is linked to the paramilitary Africa Corps that succeeded the Russian mercenary Wagner group.
Madagascar, a vast island off the east coast of southern Africa, is one of the world's poorest countries, despite being the biggest vanilla producer and having a wealth of biodiversity.
