Russia is wasting no time consolidating its military foothold in Madagascar. The five-month-old junta of President Michael Randrianirina received a fresh consignment of Russian armored vehicles, small arms, ammunition, and uniforms this week. Since Randrianirina toppled the previous Madagascar government in October, Russia has moved with striking speed to solidify ties, from deploying military personnel in December to providing helicopters after February’s cyclone, and now delivering heavy equipment. The approach seems to be working as Randrianirina broke historical tradition during a recent trip abroad, choosing to visit Moscow before Paris. The partnership between Antananarivo and Moscow is no doubt mutually beneficial: it gives Russia a strategic Indian Ocean foothold and provides the Madagascar junta with hardware to consolidate its power. In contrast, France and Western allies lose their historical security dominance over the island nation. Over time, this growing partnership could reshape regional power dynamics, embedding Russia more deeply in African security affairs.
Bloomberg
