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Lieutenant General John Brennan, deputy head of US Africa Command, expressed concern during an online briefing with reporters about Russia’s efforts to extend its Sahel approach across the continent. Brennan emphasised that Madagascar’s location makes it particularly significant for international trade and urged against applying models that have shown limited effectiveness in improving security. He noted that similar partnerships in countries under military rule have often failed to deliver stability, according to US Africa Command assessments.
Madagascar has signed defence agreements with Russia since Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized power in a 2025 military coup, a development detailed in a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty investigation published in September 2026. These deals have included shipments of Russian drones, assault rifles and handguns along with the deployment of Africa Corps instructors to train local forces. A flight carrying 40 members of the paramilitary group and a senior GRU officer landed in the country in December 2025, paving the way for joint exercises with Madagascar’s airborne battalion.
Brennan stated that Washington respects the right of partners to choose their associations while stressing the need to understand associated risks. “What we are concerned with is the model that Russia has used in the Sahel, and how they want to proliferate that elsewhere across the continent,” he said. The officer added that Moscow’s real motives centre on controlling natural resources, predating on populations and infringing on sovereignty.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all governed by military juntas, distanced themselves from Western partners before turning to Russian support against jihadist insurgencies, US Africa Command data shows. Brennan assessed Russia’s counterterrorism approach in those nations and parts of East Africa as largely ineffective and warned it could spread instability if adopted more widely. The caution specifically referenced the strategic value of Madagascar and Mozambique in the Indian Ocean.
US officials engaged directly with Madagascar’s leadership in early November 2026 on maritime security, counter-piracy and regional training, according to a statement from the US embassy in Antananarivo. The delegation led by Brennan met Colonel Randrianirina, the armed forces minister and military chiefs to discuss shared priorities including critical minerals and economic security. These talks occurred as Russian influence has grown through additional agreements on defence, health and education ratified after a Russia-Africa summit in October 2026.
An investigation by the All Eyes on Wagner collective and RFE/RL traced the acceleration of Russian networks in Madagascar to the period immediately after the 2025 power shift. Russian personnel have since provided security for senior officials, including the parliament speaker, while exploring energy projects and possible recruitment for defence industries. Colonel Randrianirina visited Moscow in February 2026, where he met officials overseeing African operations, further embedding the bilateral military relationship.
