The US has warned that Madagascar’s deepening army cooperation with Russia may repeat the failures seen in West Africa’s Sahel. Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander of US Africa Command, mentioned Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger turned away from Western companions to hunt Russian assist in opposition to jihadists, but assaults have endured. He cautioned in opposition to extending that “Sahel mannequin” to Madagascar and neighboring Mozambique, highlighting the strategic significance of the Mozambique Channel to worldwide maritime commerce. Russia has provided Madagascar with weapons and army instructors for the reason that army took over the nation in 2025. President Michaël Randrianirina has pursued nearer ties with Moscow since then.
