Madagascar Russia ties draw US warning over Sahel model

A senior US Africa Command official said Tuesday that the United States does not want Russia to repeat in Madagascar the strategy it has used in the Sahel, where Moscow has backed military-led governments.

Lieutenant General John Brennan, deputy head of US Africa Command, made the comments as Madagascar's junta deepens ties with Moscow. Russia has supplied the Indian Ocean island with weapons and instructors from Africa Corps, its paramilitary force.

Brennan told reporters during an online briefing that Washington was concerned about Russia's model in the Sahel and "how they want to proliferate that elsewhere across the continent".

He said Madagascar and Mozambique were in an important location and pointed to the Mozambique Channel, the shipping route between them, as vital to international trade. He said the waterway had become more important as the Middle East war forced shipping through different routes.

Brennan said US partners were free to choose their partners, but should understand the risks. He described Russia's approach in the Sahel and east Africa as "largely ineffective" and warned it could further destabilise the region if replicated elsewhere.

He also accused Moscow of seeking to control natural resources, prey on populations and infringe on sovereignty.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are all ruled by military juntas and have moved away from former colonial power France toward Russia, which has supported their fight against jihadists.

Madagascar has drawn closer to Russia since Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized power a year ago. Two months later, he received Russian drones, assault rifles and handguns. In one of his first official visits, the Malagasy leader travelled to Moscow on a plane chartered by Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin.