The UK has charged the top aide of the President of Madagascar with bribery.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Wednesday that Olivier Von Einsiedel, the chief of staff of President Andry Rajoelina, had been charged with conspiracy to corrupt.
The charges relate to an alleged attempt to bribe a British government official to secure a £20 million contract for a company owned by Von Einsiedel.
Von Einsiedel is alleged to have offered the official a bribe of £20,000 in return for their help in securing the contract.
The official is said to have rejected the bribe and reported the matter to the authorities.
Von Einsiedel is due to appear in court in London on September 13.
The charges are a major embarrassment for President Rajoelina, who has been in office since 2019.
Rajoelina has previously been accused of corruption, but these are the first charges to be brought against a member of his inner circle.
The charges come at a time when Madagascar is facing a number of challenges, including a severe drought and a political crisis.
The drought has caused widespread food shortages and displacement, and the political crisis has led to protests and violence.
The charges against Von Einsiedel are likely to further destabilize the country.
The CPS said in a statement that it had "carefully considered the evidence" before charging Von Einsiedel.
"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge him with conspiracy to corrupt," the statement said.
Von Einsiedel has denied the charges.
His lawyer, Stephen Parkinson, said in a statement that his client "will robustly defend himself against these allegations".
"He is innocent of any wrongdoing," Parkinson said.
The case is due to be heard at Southwark Crown Court on September 13.
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