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Antananarivo (Agenzia Fides) – “It’s not about choosing our partners based on country, but about maintaining relations with every state that we believe can benefit the Malagasy people,” said Michael Randrianirina, head of the military junta in Madagascar, regarding the pragmatism with which the new leadership in Antananarivo intends to shape its international relations.
Randrianirina made these remarks on the eve of his visit to Moscow on February 18, where he met with Vladimir Putin. Immediately after departing the Russian capital, Randrianirina will travel to Paris, where he will meet with Emmanuel Macron and participate in a series of economic talks with French and Malagasy business leaders. This is a broad-based diplomacy, but currently prioritizes relations with Moscow, which has sent weapons and military instructors to Madagascar, and with China, which is implementing extensive economic projects in the Country. One of these projects has sparked concern because it involves the construction of an arms factory. Speaking to Fides, Bishop Rosario Vella of Moramanga confirmed that the plan for a Chinese arms factory in Madagascar is "unfortunately true." "Unfortunately, it is also true because it gives China the opportunity to establish a presence in Madagascar in this way," Bishop Vella said. "We bishops have reacted, but to no avail. We asked: 'But why are arms factories being built here in Madagascar? To establish a war regime or to produce tools that will then be used by others to kill other people?'" "Wouldn't it have made more sense to build factories for food or canning, for example, for fish or other products? Or bicycle factories, which are important here, or a motorcycle factory, or other things that would be more useful to the population?" the Bishop of Moramanga underlined. "However, the contract has already been signed," Bishop Vella concluded. The military junta that ousted former President Andry Rajoelina last October (see Fides, 15/10/2025) is not only pursuing the interests of Russia, China, and France. In addition to maintaining good relations with India and Japan (which is making significant investments on the island), Randrianirina has opened communication channels to the Trump presidency via the United Arab Emirates. According to the French publication "Africa Online," Randrianirina traveled to Dubai last December, where he met with Eric Prince, the controversial founder of the mercenary firm "Blackwater" (now "Constellis"), as well as several American officials and Israeli private actors specializing in cybersecurity. Besides its strategic location, which allows control of the Mozambique Channel, Madagascar is coveted by world powers because of its mineral resources, whose potential value is estimated at US$800 billion. The minerals include nickel, cobalt, ilmenite, zircon, rutile, graphite, chromium, mica, iron, and rare earth elements. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 21/2/2026)
