In Madagascar, the national gendarmerie confirmed on Friday, April 17, 2026, the arrest of Patrick Rakotomamonjy. This colonel had attacked the transitional government, accusing it of corruption in a series of videos that went viral. He had been actively sought for several weeks for his alleged involvement in a coup plot against the president of the Refoundation party, Michaël Randrianirina.

It was in the By Pass district of Antananarivo that Patrick Rakotomamonjy was arrested on Thursday evening, April 16, before being taken to the Tsiafahy prison, about thirty kilometers south of the Malagasy capital.

This military doctor had been the subject of an arrest warrant since early April, suspected by the courts of having orchestrated an alleged plot to assassinate President Michael Randrianirina. Eleven people have already been detained in this case.

Viral videos

This colonel served as director of the grievances office at the Presidency for two months before being dismissed in January. He then became the bane of the transitional regime, claiming in a series of viral videos posted on Facebook that he had witnessed acts of corruption at the highest levels of the state. In these videos, he specifically pointed the finger at Koufali Daya, a powerful businessman close to the transitional president, accusing him of intimidating ministers.

Back in May 2025, "Colonel Patrick"—as he is commonly known—had already released an accusatory video. But at the time, it was against Mamy Ravatomanga, considered the "godfather" of Andry Rajoelina's fallen regime.

Criticized by some for not providing evidence for his allegations, Patrick Rakotomamonjy is also admired by many Malagasy people who see him as a symbol of courage.