The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) reacted promptly to the outbreak of a scandal involving one of its agents in an attempted illicit export of 53 kilograms of gold bars. This incident, which caused a lot of publicity, implicated a manager of this department, accused by the police and the ministry of forgery and fraud in the context of this affair.
Authorisation. According to some reports, this agent wrote correspondence authorizing the transport of gold bars by diplomatic means. However, the MAE, in a press release published on December 26, formally denounced this act. The ministry described this correspondence as “false” and “fraud”, stressing that this action was taken without any official authorization. The incriminating letter, which circulated widely on social networks, discredited the entire diplomatic department.
Violation. In its press release, the MAE expressed its indignation at this “act of fraud of exceptional gravity”, calling it a “flagrant and unacceptable violation” of national sovereignty and the moral integrity of the Malagasy state. The Minister of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned this act, which she described as “betrayal of the Fatherland”.
Sanctions. The MAE has filed an official complaint with the competent authorities, who have already
opened an in-depth investigation to shed light on this matter. The ministry assured that the most severe sanctions provided for by law would be applied against the perpetrator. “ This act tarnishes the image of a department whose main mission is to protect the country’s interests on the international stage. ”, it was announced.
This affair comes in a context of increased fight against gold trafficking in Madagascar, a scourge which causes considerable economic losses and threatens the integrity of institutions. She recalled the illicit export of 73 kg of gold to South Africa in December 2020.
Rija R.
Belgium
