US warns Madagascar against deepening military ties with Russia

The United States has cautioned Madagascar not to expand its partnership with Russia, noting that similar alliances with military‑run governments in West Africa have not improved security, US Africa Command deputy head Lt Gen John Brennan said. He highlighted Madagascar’s position in the Indian Ocean as vital to global trade and warned against what he termed the "Sahel model", which he said could spark instability across the continent. Brennan pointed to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – all under military rule – that have cut ties with Western partners and turned to Moscow for help against jihadist groups, yet militant attacks have persisted.

He added that Russia has broadened military cooperation with Madagascar since the army seized power in 2025, supplying weapons and instructors, and said, "We are concerned about Russia wanting to "proliferate [the Sahel model] elsewhere across the continent", Brennan told reporters in an online briefing. "Madagascar sits in a location that is extremely important, as is Mozambique, and we don't want to see those models be applied in those two locations," he said.

Brennan also voiced worries about security in the Mozambique Channel, a key shipping route separating Mozambique and Madagascar from mainland Africa, urging steps to stop Islamist State‑linked militants in northern Mozambique and other hostile actors from endangering maritime traffic. Citing recent piracy incidents, he said northern Mozambican militant groups were developing greater maritime capabilities. While stating that US partners are "free to partner with whom they wish", he urged them to consider the possible risks.

Madagascar has not publicly replied to the remarks, although President Michaël Randrianirina recently reaffirmed his backing for stronger Russia‑Africa links. At the Russia‑Africa summit last month, Madagascar and Russia signed cooperation deals covering defence, tourism and trade, and in February Randrianirina made the first official visit by a Malagasy leader to Moscow in almost five decades.