US Warns Madagascar Against Russia Military Ties
A senior US Africa Command official cautioned Madagascar's military government over expanding defence cooperation with Moscow.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Military
Live Poll
Should the U.S. spend more on its military to counter Russian influence abroad?
Lt Gen John Brennan, deputy head of US Africa Command, warned Madagascar against strengthening military ties with Russia in an online briefing to reporters. Madagascar's military seized power in 2025, and Russia has since expanded cooperation by supplying weapons and military instructors, while Madagascar has not publicly responded.
Why it matters
The warning reflects concern in Washington that Moscow is extending its military footprint in Africa, following similar moves by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Those three Sahel states, now under military rule, severed ties with Western partners and turned to Russia after blaming Western support for failing to contain jihadist violence.
The February 2026 Moscow visit by President Michaël Randrianirina was the first official Russian visit by a Malagasy leader in nearly 50 years. Madagascar has not publicly responded to the US warning, and the scale of Russian arms and instructor deployments remains unspecified.
The players
John Brennan
Lt Gen John Brennan is deputy head of US Africa Command, the US military command responsible for Africa, and delivered the warning to reporters.
Michaël Randrianirina
Michaël Randrianirina is the president of Madagascar who leads the military government that seized power in 2025 and visited Moscow in February.
The details
Brennan made the warning during an online briefing to reporters, cautioning against deeper military partnership with Russia. Madagascar and Russia signed cooperation agreements covering defence, tourism and trade at the Russia-Africa summit last month, and Russia has supplied weapons and military instructors to Madagascar since the 2025 military takeover.
Timeline
2025: Madagascar's military seized power.
February 2026: President Michaël Randrianirina made an official visit to Moscow.
October 2026: Madagascar and Russia signed cooperation agreements at the Russia-Africa summit.
November 11, 2026: US warning to Madagascar was published.
Military Ties Pattern
The warning echoes the Sahel pivot, where Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger severed Western partnerships and turned to Russia for military support after their military takeovers. Madagascar's expanding Russian cooperation follows that same trajectory.
For readers following US and Russian influence in Africa, the warning signals that Madagascar's military government may face diplomatic pressure over its defence partnerships. The outcome could shape which security partners the country relies on for weapons and training.
The takeaway
Military governments in Africa that pivot toward Moscow are drawing sharper scrutiny from Washington, and Madagascar's response will indicate whether it follows the Sahel path. Readers should watch for any official Malagasy statement on its defence agreements.
Further reading
For more on how foreign military partnerships are reshaping African security, see Military.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. spend more on its military to counter Russian influence abroad?
