Madagascar began celebrations two weeks ago to mark the 65th anniversary of its independence from France. These festivities, which culminated on June 26, National Day, with a military parade, hold even greater symbolic weight this year. With the expected return in August of three Sakalava skulls and the recent visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the island nation has effectively normalized its relationship with the former colonial power. Moving forward, the economy and the Francophonie are set to drive a partnership that Paris and Antananarivo aim to "orient toward the future."

A French government decree published on April 2 has resolved a long-standing political and symbolic issue in Madagascar: the restitution of three skulls held at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. These include the skulls of King Toera of Madagascar and two of his warriors. The restitution process began in 2003 following a request by Sakalava descendants. Momentum accelerated in recent years due to a growing international movement advocating for the return of African cultural assets looted during colonization. In France, Parliament passed a law in December to facilitate the release of human remains from public collections.

Beyond their memorial and cultural significance, the return of the Sakalava skulls strengthens ties between Madagascar and France after decades of tension, particularly concerning the Scattered Islands. Under President Andry Rajoelina’s leadership, Madagascar has recently favored a forward-looking approach, viewing its relationship with France as an asset.                                                  

Madagascar has recently favored a forward-looking approach, viewing its relationship with France as an asset.

 French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Antananarivo in late April, on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Commission summit, followed this same logic. Although the restitution of the skulls was initially planned before the visit but postponed for a few months to respect Sakalava rites, it did not prevent the French president from addressing the matter. More importantly, he outlined the renewed ambitions of the Franco-Malagasy partnership.

"We will continue with this restitution agenda, which goes hand in hand with the enhanced museum cooperation we want between our two countries," Macron emphasized. "Still, the wounds of the past will not burn away the ties that bind us. France remains one of Madagascar’s main economic partners, with bilateral trade exceeding one billion euros annually over the past three years, and I am very proud of that." While trade has indeed increased, driven by textiles and agri-food products, Madagascar and France are now eyeing a deeper economic relationship, particularly in strategic sectors for both countries.

“France remains one of Madagascar’s main economic partners, with bilateral trade exceeding one billion euros annually over the past three years, and I am very proud of that.”

Focus on Energy, Francophonie, and Critical Minerals

As Africa’s second-largest producer of nickel and graphite, Madagascar also holds reserves of rare earths, critical minerals for the energy transition. While Antananarivo maintains no agreements have been signed yet, President Macron clearly expressed interest in "developing supply chains and forming a partnership in rare earths and critical minerals" between the two countries. France, alongside its European Union partners, aims to reduce its dependency on China and diversify its supply sources amid growing global competition for these resources.

Meanwhile, the forward-looking relationship between Paris and Antananarivo is unfolding on other fronts. For Antananarivo, the partnership with France prioritizes greater investment in energy, digital technology, and infrastructure. During Macron’s visit, both governments signed "several important agreements" in these sectors.

For Antananarivo, the partnership with France prioritizes greater investment in energy, digital technology, and infrastructure.

Through financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD) and a French Treasury loan, Paris will help Madagascar build the Volobe hydroelectric dam. French energy producer EDF is also expected to join the project, investing between €525 million and €700 million to acquire a 37.5% stake in the consortium managing the dam. On the infrastructure front, discussions included the renovation of two railway lines built by France between 1901 and 1913, as well as a potential partnership allowing Madagascar to supply France with strategic metals.

Regarding defense and Francophonie, both capitals are working to solidify their declarations. For the past three years, nearly 150 Malagasy trainees have received annual training in French military academies. This security cooperation also extends to civil protection, exemplified by Madagascar’s support to the French island of La Réunion after cyclones Chido and Garance.

For the past three years, nearly 150 Malagasy trainees have received annual training in French military academies.

A shared linguistic foundation supports the same logic of alliance. Madagascar hosts the most extensive network of French Alliances in sub-Saharan Africa and recently inaugurated a new building dedicated to the Francophonie in Antananarivo.

Finally, both countries have placed the Indian Ocean at the center of their shared agenda, ranging from combating illegal fishing to jointly preparing for the Nice Ocean Summit.

Madagascar hosts the most extensive network of French Alliances in sub-Saharan Africa and recently inaugurated a new building dedicated to the Francophonie in Antananarivo

The Franco-Malagasy joint commission, scheduled for June 30 in Paris, will need to demonstrate that the current display of confidence can withstand the sensitive issue of the Scattered Islands. While the Malagasy government is calling for a still-to-be-defined co-management, the two countries’ ability to move forward on this issue and to deliver on announced investments could ultimately cement a renewed Franco-Malagasy relationship.