US Cautions Madagascar on Deepening Military Ties with Russia

The United States has cautioned Madagascar against deepening its military relationship with Russia, warning that similar partnerships with military-led governments in West Africa have failed to improve security.

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander of US Africa Command, said Madagascar’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it vital to global trade.

He warned against what he called the “Sahel model,” which he said risks fueling instability across the continent.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—all under military rule—have severed ties with Western partners and turned to Russia for military support in their fight against jihadist groups.

Russia has expanded military cooperation with Madagascar since the military seized power in 2025, supplying weapons and military instructors.

“We are concerned about Russia wanting to ‘proliferate [the Sahel model] elsewhere across the continent,'” Brennan told reporters during 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.

The three Sahel countries had blamed their former Western partners for failing to contain jihadist violence before turning to Moscow.

However, militant attacks have continued despite their closer military ties with Russia.

Brennan also raised concerns about security in the Mozambique Channel, which separates Mozambique and Madagascar from mainland Africa and is an important route for international shipping and trade.

He said it was vital to prevent Islamist State-linked militants in northern Mozambique and other hostile actors from threatening maritime activity.

Citing recent piracy-related incidents along the coast, Brennan said militant groups in northern Mozambique were adapting their tactics, including developing greater maritime capabilities.

He said US partners were “free to partner with whom they wish” but urged them to understand the potential risks.

Madagascar has not publicly responded to Brennan’s comments.

However, President Michaël Randrianirina has recently reiterated his support for stronger ties between Russia and African countries.

During the Russia-Africa summit last month, Madagascar and Russia signed several cooperation agreements covering defense, tourism, and trade.

In February, a few months after taking power in a military takeover, Randrianirina visited Moscow. It was the first official visit to Russia by a Malagasy leader in nearly 50 years.

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