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Madagascar

A Malagasy worker walks along an access track at mining giant Rio Tinto's mine in Fort Dauphin. © Ed Harris/Reuters

Rio Tinto and Rajoelina haggle over mineral sands

The negotiations over the Fort-Dauphin mine are entering the final straight, the Anglo-Australian giant having made a firm offer to the mines minister Olivier Rakotomalala.

Subscribers only Mining 12.05.2023

A sapphire mines near Ilakaka, Southern Madagascar. © Carlo Morucchio / Robert Harding via AFP

Madagascar sapphire mine exposes jewellery firms' hollow ethical claims

In Madagascar, the epicentre of the sapphire business, luxury groups like Richemont and LVMH have all made traceability commitments for their coloured stone jewellery, but these are not always respected on the ground.

Subscribers only Mining 11.05.2023

State coffers almost empty in run-up to presidential election

During a confidential meeting with business leaders, Andry Rajoelina admitted that he would be unable to finance a number of public subsidies or to settle state arrears before June. An announcement that has gone down badly with the business community.

Subscribers only Finance 05.05.2023

Freemasons anxious to avoid presidential election strife

As the next presidential election approaches, the little world of Madagascan Freemasonry is discreetly setting the wheels in motion. Members of the Fraternelle des Bâtisseurs de la Cité (FRABACI) are consulting with the main lodges in order to agree a lobbying strategy to ensure the ballot passes off without incident.

Subscribers only Politics 04.05.2023

Rajoelina fails to quell ambassadors' election doubts

The Malagasy president discreetly met with a gathering of ambassadors on 24 April to discuss the financing of this year's elections, amid concerns over the loss of fundamental rights in the country.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 01.05.2023

Madagascar Oil in trouble

US Holdings, formerly known as the Bermuda-based Madagascar Oil, is entering financial restructuring.

Subscribers only Energy 26.04.2023

World Bank's lobbying crucial to mining sector reform

The cabinet has approved a new mining code, the reopening of the mining register and the resumption of gold exports. World Bank lobbying has been a significant factor in those decisions, the institution having made its forthcoming €200m budgetary aid conditional on the sector's reform.

Free access Mining 21.04.2023

World Bank President David Malpass and Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina at the Iavoloha presidential palace in Antananarivo, on 29 April 2019.

French foreign minister Colonna pushes back Antananarivo visit to May

French foreign minister Catherine Colonna has pushed back her official visit to Madagascar to the end of May. She will meet Malagasy president Andry Rajoelina to discuss the thorny issue of the Scattered Islands, as well as the Apollo 21 affair.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.04.2023

Harry Rahajason plans counterattack with French lawyer William Bourdon

Madagascar's former communications minister, who has been in prison since 2020, was sentenced in February to 30 more months in detention following a complaint from the business magnate Mamy Ravatomanga. The French lawyer William Bourdon is representing him.

Subscribers only Politics 17.04.2023

Democracy watchdog under heavy pressure from Rajoelina

The HCDDED is in Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina's crosshairs after receiving complaints from opposition MPs.

Subscribers only Finance, Politics 10.04.2023

In Focus
How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

The vanilla industry, which accounts for 5% of Madagascar's GDP, is at the centre of a power struggle between the government and major players in the sector, most of whom are foreign. Key to the battle is the minimum price set by Antananarivo.

Subscribers only Commodity Traders, Politics, Business 03.04.2023

The vanilla industry is at the heart of a power struggle between the Malagasy government and the sector's economic operators, over which the shadow of Mamy Ravatomanga looms.

Rajoelina switches PR agency

J5 Co, an agency specialising in handling communications for governments, is taking over from ESL & Network as Andry Rajoelina's PR adviser in the run-up to Madagascar's presidential election.

Subscribers only Politics, Business 24.03.2023

Christian churches council to supervise national consultation

The organisation grouping Madagascar's four biggest Christian churches has agreed to supervise pre-election dialogue in the island nation. It plans to hold a series of forums and to deploy observers to try to ensure the upcoming presidential polls are trouble-free.

Subscribers only Politics 21.03.2023

Backroom adviser Romy Voos Andrianarisoa returns to the Iavoloha Palace

The appointment in early March of Romy Voos Andrianarisoa as President Andry Rajoelina's chief of (civilian) staff provoked surprise in Antananarivan political circles.

Subscribers only Politics 15.03.2023

Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who is running for president, can count on his economic links with the family of Marius Vizer, who heads the International Judo Federation and is close to Vladimir Putin.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics, Business 14.03.2023

Mohammed VI expected in Madagascar after Senegal visit

Morocco's Mohammed VI is expected to travel to Madagascar next week, the king's first visit to the country since 2016

Subscribers only Diplomacy 10.03.2023

Rajoelina's reshuffle ruffles generals' feathers

Senior army officers are unhappy with the appointment as defence minister of General Josoa Rakotoarijaona, who took part in the 2009 coup, not least because other top brass once loyal to the head of state have been sidelined.

Subscribers only Politics 08.03.2023

Scattered Islands and Apollo 21 on French foreign minister's Madagascar agenda

Catherine Colonna is scheduled to make a lightning visit next month to Antananarivo, where, as well as signing aid agreements, she is due to discuss two thorny subjects with President Andry Rajoelina.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.03.2023

French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, in Brazil, 8 February 2023.

Gérard Perceau, the French advisor who has President Rajoelina's ear

In four years, former Bouygues executive Gérard Perceau has become a key figure in negotiations on major infrastructure projects between the state of Madagascar and its technical and foreign financial partners.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Politics, Business 01.03.2023

Churches in Madagascar enter presidential campaign

Protestants and Catholics in Madagascar have already gotten involved in politics in the run-up to November's election. The former deliver sermons attacking President Andry Rajoelina's record, while the latter - with the exception of the ex-archbishop of Antananarivo - cultivate their good relations with the government.

Subscribers only Politics 27.02.2023

UN reluctant to fund presidential election

A confidential United Nations report has recommended against funding the upcoming ballot in Madagascar for fear of compromising its reputation and credibility.

Free access Politics, Diplomacy 23.02.2023

Malagasy government struggling to reassure international community on presidential election

Prime Minister Christian Ntsay met last Friday with all foreign diplomats in Antananarivo to reassure them regarding the staging of the country's next presidential election. But doubt lingers and the international community is still tense due to the election's so far poor organisation.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 20.02.2023

The Prime Minister of Madagascar Christian Ntsay arrives at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on the 11th of November 2019.

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Madagascar

Rio Tinto and Rajoelina haggle over mineral sands

Madagascar sapphire mine exposes jewellery firms' hollow ethical claims

State coffers almost empty in run-up to presidential election

Freemasons anxious to avoid presidential election strife

Rajoelina fails to quell ambassadors' election doubts

Madagascar Oil in trouble

World Bank's lobbying crucial to mining sector reform

French foreign minister Colonna pushes back Antananarivo visit to May

Harry Rahajason plans counterattack with French lawyer William Bourdon

Democracy watchdog under heavy pressure from Rajoelina

In Focus
How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

Rajoelina switches PR agency

Christian churches council to supervise national consultation

Backroom adviser Romy Voos Andrianarisoa returns to the Iavoloha Palace

Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Mohammed VI expected in Madagascar after Senegal visit

Rajoelina's reshuffle ruffles generals' feathers

Scattered Islands and Apollo 21 on French foreign minister's Madagascar agenda

Gérard Perceau, the French advisor who has President Rajoelina's ear

Churches in Madagascar enter presidential campaign

UN reluctant to fund presidential election

Malagasy government struggling to reassure international community on presidential election

Rio Tinto argues its case with Raojelina

Madagascar keeps low profile at Mining Indaba conference

Angry French vanilla exporters seek help from Paris

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Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

Ibrahim Traoré

Virtus Minerals

Paul Kagame

Savannah Energy

Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Madagascar

Rio Tinto and Rajoelina haggle over mineral sands

Madagascar sapphire mine exposes jewellery firms' hollow ethical claims

State coffers almost empty in run-up to presidential election

Freemasons anxious to avoid presidential election strife

Rajoelina fails to quell ambassadors' election doubts

Madagascar Oil in trouble

World Bank's lobbying crucial to mining sector reform

French foreign minister Colonna pushes back Antananarivo visit to May

Harry Rahajason plans counterattack with French lawyer William Bourdon

Democracy watchdog under heavy pressure from Rajoelina

In Focus How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

Rajoelina switches PR agency

Christian churches council to supervise national consultation

Backroom adviser Romy Voos Andrianarisoa returns to the Iavoloha Palace

Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Mohammed VI expected in Madagascar after Senegal visit

Rajoelina's reshuffle ruffles generals' feathers

Scattered Islands and Apollo 21 on French foreign minister's Madagascar agenda

Gérard Perceau, the French advisor who has President Rajoelina's ear

Churches in Madagascar enter presidential campaign

UN reluctant to fund presidential election

Malagasy government struggling to reassure international community on presidential election

Rio Tinto argues its case with Raojelina

Madagascar keeps low profile at Mining Indaba conference

Angry French vanilla exporters seek help from Paris

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

In Focus
How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government