What changed
The United States has warned Madagascar against expanding its military relationship with Russia, pointing to the island’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean. Russia has supplied weapons and military instructors since Madagascar’s 2025 military takeover, while Madagascar and Russia recently signed cooperation agreements covering defence, tourism and trade.
Madagascar’s President Michaël Randrianirina visited Moscow in February, the first official visit by a Malagasy leader in nearly 50 years. The warning was reported on 11 November 2026.
Why it matters
This is about more than a new arms partnership. Madagascar sits beside the Mozambique Channel, an important route for international shipping and trade. US Africa Command says that location makes the country especially significant, as security concerns grow along the nearby coast.
The United States is using Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as its cautionary example. Those military-led governments turned to Russia after accusing former Western partners of failing to contain jihadist violence. Militant attacks have continued despite the closer Russian ties.
The American argument is therefore straightforward: Madagascar is free to choose its partners, but copying that model could bring deeper military involvement without delivering better security. The future scale of Russia’s activity, and its effect on maritime security, remains unclear. Madagascar has not publicly responded to the warning.
Comments
No comments yet.