While West watches Middle East, Russia quietly secured foothold in world’s second-largest graphite producer

Russia is discreetly deepening cooperation with Madagascar’s military leadership, seeking to expand its presence in Africa. The change in leadership has opened new opportunities for Moscow to gain access to a country rich in valuable metal and mineral deposits and located along key oil transportation routes, according to Bloomberg.

Madagascar’s new leadership openly thanks Putin for support

Recently, Colonel Mikhail Randrianirina, who has led the island nation since the October coup, thanked Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the supply of combat helicopters, trucks, and rice.

“The event took place the day before the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran and barely resonated outside Madagascar,” the publication notes.

It has also become another foothold for Putin in his effort to expand Kremlin influence on the continent and take advantage of geopolitical instability.

Port of Toamasina and Mozambique Channel as new points of influence

In addition, the port of Toamasina in Madagascar is strategically located along a major Indian Ocean shipping route, close to Mozambique's gas-rich waters.

Nearly one-third of global oil shipments pass through this route. There is also an abandoned naval base at Antsiranana on the northern tip of the island.

Moscow uses Western distraction in the Middle East to strengthen its position

According to Shawn Duthie, head of risk analysis for Southern Africa at the consulting firm Control Risks, with US President Donald Trump engaged in conflict in the Middle East, the deepening of ties between Moscow and Madagascar is happening at an opportune moment.

“Russia didn’t shape events around Iran, but it’s adept at exploiting moments when Western attention is diverted,” Duthie said.

He also noted that current disruptions in global shipping are further increasing the strategic importance of the Mozambique Channel.