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Macron’s itinerary includes a meeting with his counterpart, Andry Rajoelina, followed by agreement signings and meetings with business leaders. Some uncomfortable discussions are also expected between Macron and his host.
President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Madagascar for a two-day visit to reinforce France’s presence in the Indian Ocean. Macron is the first French president to visit the former colony since Jacques Chirac in 2005.
As France loses its influence in the Sahel, its leaders have been turning to east and southern Africa to strengthen ties. Madagascar, with a population of 30 million is an important French-speaking country.
Macron’s itinerary includes a meeting with his counterpart, Andry Rajoelina, followed by agreement signings and meetings with business leaders. Some uncomfortable discussions are also expected between Macron and his host.
Antananarivo claims the resource-rich Scattered Islands, which remained under French control after independence. The French presidency said that the issue would be ‘discussed’ during the visit. A section of the Malagasy public wants Paris to surrender the islands, something France has been reluctant to do.
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President Macron has pledged to support the return of cultural artifacts stolen from the island country.
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