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France 24
24-04-2025
- Politics
- France 24
‘Triangle of power' : Madagascar wants control over the Scattered Islands. France says no
In Madagascar, there's a saying that goes: Tenim-bazaha tsy miverina indroa – 'a white man never gives his word twice'. In daily life, it signals a refusal to repeat oneself, yet it still carries a deep-seated scepticism toward promises made by foreign powers, especially those with a colonial past. Madagascar was a French colony for over six decades, from 1896 to 1960. That legacy endures not only in geopolitics, but also in the very language people use. Emmanuel Macron, the first French president to visit the former colony since Jacques Chirac in 2005, had his work cut out for him. He closed a landmark two-day visit to Madagascar on Thursday, signing a raft of agreements with Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina. Among the highlights was long-awaited funding from France for the Volobe hydroelectric dam, a project years in the making. Macron also spoke of expanding France's reach in East Africa and the Indian Ocean, pledging to 'conquer the market' of the Indian Ocean Commission. Yet behind the public display of partnership, a more fraught issue remains unresolved: the dispute over the Scattered Islands. Islands of contention Uninhabited and scattered across the Mozambique Channel and Western Indian Ocean, the islands – including Bassas da India, Europa, Juan de Nova, Tromelin, and the Glorioso Islands – have been under French control since colonial times. Madagascar, along with neighbouring Mauritius Island and the Comoros – all former French Colonies – has long claimed them. While they cover just 43 km² of land, these tiny territories grant France jurisdiction over a staggering 640,400 km² of maritime space, roughly 6% of its total maritime domain. And each island has its own scattered history. 'Europa Island saw very little activity, and what it did have was episodic,' said Samuel Sanchez, a professor of history at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. 'But Juan de Nova had deeper links to Madagascar. In the 19th century, Malagasy fishermen from the Baly Bay came to hunt sea turtles there and trade their shells with European merchants.' Tromelin, unlike the others, lies outside the Mozambique Channel. France bases its claim on discovery, citing the landing of a French sailor in 1722. But for many in Madagascar, the island carries symbolic weight: it was once the site of a tragic shipwreck involving enslaved Malagasy who survived there for years. Historically, all islands were administered as part of the colony of Madagascar before being separated just ahead of the country's independence in 1960. Today, none of the islands have permanent civilian populations, but France maintains a military presence on several of them. Madagascar has long contested their detachment, arguing that it was illegal – a stance supported by two United Nations resolutions passed in 1979 and 1980, both of which called for the 'reintegration of the islands that were arbitrarily separated from Madagascar.' 'Mostly symbolic' In recent years, France has taken steps toward acknowledging its colonial past, with President Emmanuel Macron leading efforts to reshape the country's image in Africa. One of the most symbolic moves came in 2021, when France formally returned looted artworks to Benin. Madagascar, too, has seized on this momentum. The claim over the Éparses Islands has become a nationalist rallying point, helping to consolidate political support at home. Yet beyond the symbolism, Madagascar has offered few details about its plans for the islands, leaving questions about how it intends to manage or develop the vast territory it seeks to reclaim. 'The claim is mostly symbolic,' said Sanchez. 'It's about reversing an administrative defeat from the independence era. These islands sit on Madagascar's continental shelf, and the separation contradicts UN decolonisation principles.' 'It wouldn't change much economically. Madagascar struggles to patrol its own waters – illegal fishing is rampant. But politically, any president who secures the islands would win huge domestic support,' he added. Strategic buffers But France shows little sign of relinquishing control. The islands are key to what experts call France's 'triangle of power' in the region, along with Réunion and Mayotte. They anchor France's maritime, ecological and military reach in the Indian Ocean. Historian Paul Villatoux noted, 'Without the islands, France's claim over the region weakens. It would also embolden regional competitors like Russia or China.' The Mozambique Channel is a crucial shipping lane between Asia and Europe, especially relevant when routes like the Suez Canal are disrupted. 'That's why France sees these islands as strategic buffers,' Sanchez said. 'They might seem unused now, but their future value is immense. That's why France won't just give them up, not unless there's a meaningful trade-off.' Despite their strategic role, the islands remain largely undeveloped, designated by Paris as protected ecological sanctuaries. They host only a minimal human presence – just 14 military personnel, a policeman, and an occasional state official. Military deployments, once routine, are now also harder to sustain because of the ecological implications. Runways on some islands can no longer support planes due to environmental protections. Since 2018, for instance, Tromelin has been serviced only by helicopter in order to protect nesting birds. 'Eventually, it may become impossible to maintain any human presence at all,' said Villatoux. 'That's the paradox: the islands are coveted for their strategic value, yet treated as sanctuaries.' A diplomatic frenzy France continues to administer the islands, but Madagascar has intensified its push for full sovereignty. The momentum has grown beyond bilateral lines. In 2023, the United Kingdom's decision to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius has further emboldened the movement. Mauritius, too, has staked a claim : Tromelin. It argues that a mistranslation in the 1814 Treaty of Paris led to confusion. The English version ceded the island's 'dependencies' to Britain, while the French version listed them individually, omitting Tromelin. The Comoros, for their part, have laid claim to the Glorioso Islands. A bilateral commission is set to meet in Paris on June 30 to discuss the future of the islands. President Rajoelina remains cautiously optimistic. 'Madagascar and France are determined to find a solution together,' he said on Wednesday.
Japan Today
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Macron in Madagascar for first state visit by a French leader to former colony in 20 years
By SARAH TETAUD French President Emmanuel Macron started a two-day visit to the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on Wednesday and spoke of the need for his country to find new markets and boost economic cooperation in the region. Macron's trip is the first state visit by a French leader to the former colony off the east coast of Africa since President Jacques Chirac 's in 2005. Macron met with Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina in the capital, Antananarivo, and they signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding, including in energy, agriculture and education. The trip delved into disputes between the nations stemming from the colonial era, including Madagascar's claims over a group of small islands that are French territory, and its demands that France return the remains of a local king who was killed by French colonial forces in the late 1800s. Macron also announced funding from the French Development Agency and a loan for the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Volobe, in eastern Madagascar, which has been planned for nearly a decade. Macron is due to attend a summit Thursday of the Indian Ocean Commission, a bloc comprising Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles and the French territory of Reunion. China, India and the European Union are among a group of countries and international bodies that have observer status at the commission. 'We need to conquer, at least, the market of the (Indian Ocean Commission),' Macron said. 'And then, more widely, East Africa and the Indian Ocean.' On some of their disagreements, Rajoelina said there would be a new round of meetings on June 30 over the fate of the Scattered Islands, five small islands around Madagascar that fall under France's overseas territories but that are claimed by Madagascar. France favors a system where the islands would be jointly managed by the two countries, but the U.K.'s decision last year to hand over control of the Chagos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius has spurred some in Madagascar to push for full control of the Scattered Islands — which are known as the Eparses Islands in France. Madagascar and France 'are determined to find a solution together,' Rajoelina said. Macron said he would work with Madagascar over the agreed return of three skulls that were taken from Madagascar more than 125 years ago and displayed in a Paris museum. One of them is believed to be the skull of King Toera of the Sakalava people, who was beheaded by French troops in 1897. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Euronews
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Macron visits Madagascar in first visit by French leader to former colony in 20 years
ADVERTISEMENT French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a two-day visit to the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar and spoke of the need for his country to find new markets and boost economic cooperation in the region. Macron's visit marked the first by a French leader to the former colony off the east coast of Africa since Jacques Chirac in 2005. The trip also delved into disputes between the two countries stemming from the colonial era, including Madagascar's claims over a group of small islands that are French territory and its demands that France return the remains of a local king who was killed by French colonial forces in the late 1800s. Macron met with Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina in the capital, Antananarivo, where they signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding, including in energy, agriculture and education. Residents wave flags at French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival in Antananarivo, 23 April, 2025 AP Photo Macron also announced funding from the French Development Agency and a loan from the French treasury for the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Volobe in eastern Madagascar, which has been planned for nearly a decade. Macron is due to attend a summit of the Indian Ocean Commission on Thursday, a bloc made up of Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles and Réunion, which is a territory of France. China, India and the European Union are among a group of countries and international bodies that have observer status at the commission. "We need to conquer, at least, the market of the (Indian Ocean Commission)," Macron said on Wednesday. "And then, more widely, East Africa and the Indian Ocean." Related Madagascar may soon experience the world's first climate change famine Madagascar wants to become an ICT hub Journey through the history of African photography in Antananarivo On some of their disagreements, Rajoelina said there would be a new round of meetings on 30 June over the fate of the Scattered Islands, five small islands around Madagascar that fall under France's overseas territories but are claimed by Madagascar. France favours a system where the islands would be jointly managed by the two countries, but the UK's decision last year to hand over control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has spurred some in Madagascar to push for full control of the Scattered Islands, which are known as the Éparses Islands in France. Madagascar and France "are determined to find a solution together," Rajoelina said. Macron said he would work with Madagascar over the agreed return of three skulls that were taken from Madagascar more than 125 years ago and displayed in a Paris museum. One of them is believed to be the skull of King Toera of the Sakalava people, who was beheaded by French troops in 1897.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Macron visits Madagascar in the first trip by a French leader to the former colony in 20 years
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron began a two-day visit to the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on Wednesday and spoke of the need for his country to find new markets and boost economic cooperation in the region. Macron's visit marked the first by a French leader to the former colony off the east coast of Africa since Jacques Chirac's in 2005. The trip also delved into disputes between the nations stemming from the colonial era, including Madagascar's claims over a group of small islands that are French territory, and its demands that France return the remains of a local king who was killed by French colonial forces in the late 1800s. Macron met with Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina in the capital, Antananarivo, and they signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding, including in energy, agriculture and education. Macron also announced funding from the French Development Agency and a loan from the French treasury for the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Volobe in eastern Madagascar, which has been planned for nearly a decade. Macron is due to attend Thursday a summit of the Indian Ocean Commission in Madagascar, a bloc made up of Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles and Reunion — which is a territory of France. China, India and the European Union are among a group of countries and international bodies that have observer status at the commission. 'We need to conquer, at least, the market of the (Indian Ocean Commission),' Macron said Wednesday. 'And then, more widely, East Africa and the Indian Ocean.' On some of their disagreements, Rajoelina said there would be a new round of meetings on June 30 over the fate of the Scattered Islands, five small islands around Madagascar that fall under France's overseas territories but are claimed by Madagascar. France favors a system where the islands would be jointly managed by the two countries, but the U.K.'s decision last year to hand over control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius has spurred some in Madagascar to push for full control of the Scattered Islands — which are known as the Eparses Islands in France. Madagascar and France 'are determined to find a solution together,' Rajoelina said. Macron said he would work with Madagascar over the agreed return of three skulls that were taken from Madagascar more than 125 years ago and displayed in a Paris museum. One of them is believed to be the skull of King Toera of the Sakalava people, who was beheaded by French troops in 1897. ___ AP Africa news:
Arab News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Macron visits Madagascar in the first trip by a French leader to the former colony in 20 years
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar: French President Emmanuel Macron began a two-day visit to the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on Wednesday and spoke of the need for his country to find new markets and boost economic cooperation in the region. Macron's visit marked the first by a French leader to the former colony off the east coast of Africa since Jacques Chirac's in 2005. The trip also delved into disputes between the nations stemming from the colonial era, including Madagascar's claims over a group of small islands that are French territory, and its demands that France return the remains of a local king who was killed by French colonial forces in the late 1800s. Macron met with Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina in the capital, Antananarivo, and they signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding, including in energy, agriculture and education. Macron also announced funding from the French Development Agency and a loan from the French treasury for the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Volobe in eastern Madagascar, which has been planned for nearly a decade. Macron is due to attend Thursday a summit of the Indian Ocean Commission in Madagascar, a bloc made up of Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles and Reunion — which is a territory of France. China, India and the European Union are among a group of countries and international bodies that have observer status at the commission. 'We need to conquer, at least, the market of the (Indian Ocean Commission),' Macron said Wednesday. 'And then, more widely, East Africa and the Indian Ocean.' On some of their disagreements, Rajoelina said there would be a new round of meetings on June 30 over the fate of the Scattered Islands, five small islands around Madagascar that fall under France's overseas territories but are claimed by Madagascar. France favors a system where the islands would be jointly managed by the two countries, but the UK's decision last year to hand over control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius has spurred some in Madagascar to push for full control of the Scattered Islands — which are known as the Eparses Islands in France. Madagascar and France 'are determined to find a solution together,' Rajoelina said. Macron said he would work with Madagascar over the agreed return of three skulls that were taken from Madagascar more than 125 years ago and displayed in a Paris museum. One of them is believed to be the skull of King Toera of the Sakalava people, who was beheaded by French troops in 1897.
