Your account has been succesfully created.

EN FR

The Morning Brief
Log in

Password

Keep me logged in

Forgot your password?
Subscribe

Madagascar, Russia
Rajoelina's advisers rattled by ascent of new Moscow-friendly African judo boss

The president of the African Judo Union Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko. © Fédération Malagasy de Judo/Facebook

The president's inner circle is wary of the political ambitions of Africa's new judo boss Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who is seen as a Russian proxy and has a foot in both the sporting and political worlds. [...]

Published on 01/07/2021 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 2 minutes

This article may be accessed by subscribers

In order to ensure high-quality and independent journalism, Africa Intelligence relies solely on subscriptions from its readers, with no advertising, no events and no consulting work.

Several offers are available depending on your particular reading needs

Consult our offers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

Discover our work by making use of the following possibilities: daily newsletters, a selection of free articles, keyword alerts.

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

create a free account

Politics

Set up keyword notifications

Andry Rajoelina public figure
Confederation of African Football organisation
Maminiaina Ravatomanga public figure
Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko public figure
Vladimir Putin public figure
African Judo Union
Ahmad Ahamad
Comité olympique malgache
Fédération malgache de judo
Fondation Siteny
International Judo Federation
Marius Vizer
Nicolas Rabemananjara
Radio Television Siteny
Tinoka Roberto
TV Plus

West Africa
From Abidjan to Dakar, MMA's Francis Ngannou reps for PFL

As chairman of the African branch of the Professional Fighters League, the former Cameroonian champion is eyeing four host countries for the 2026 edition in the region. He is supported in this effort by the Helios investment fund.

Subscribers only Business 28.07.2025

Francis Ngannou during training in Los Angeles, California, 16 May 2023.

Madagascar
Who is Vlad Marinescu, Siteny's discreet campaign manager?

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko is the sole opposition candidate in the first round of Madagascar's presidential election on 16 November and has appointed Vlad Marinescu to run his campaign. The sportsman turned communications specialist has an impressive CV and an extensive network spanning Madagascar, Romania and the US.

Subscribers only Politics 03.11.2023

Madagascar
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

Madagascar
Rajoelina spurned by potential presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko

The Malagasy head of state is wary of the popularity of Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, an MP in the south of the island who is also the head of African judo. He is suspected of harbouring plans to run for president next year.

Subscribers only Politics 27.04.2022

Madagascar
Martial artists square up in presidential pre-campaign

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko is still a member of Andry Rajoelina's presidential majority in parliament, but he is a cause of concern for the head of state. Rajoelina worries that the man who recently became head of the African Judo Union may have his eyes on the presidency in the 2023 elections.

Subscribers only Politics 06.01.2022

Malagasy MP Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, President of the African Judo Union.

Madagascar
Moscow sets about reviving its fortunes with a new charm offensive

Hardly had he arrived in Madagascar than the new Russian ambassador was jostling to advance Moscow's interests there despite the recent failures of Russian business diplomacy in the country.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 19.04.2021

Russian Ambassador to Madagascar Andrey Andreev presented his credentials to President Andry Rajoelina on 7 April 2021.

Madagascar
With no ambassadors in place, who is holding the fort at Rajoelina's key embassies?

Two years into his presidency, Andry Rajoelina has still not filled some the most important diplomatic appointments, leaving Madagascar without an ambassador to the US, the UN, or South Africa.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 24.02.2021

In Focus | Madagascar
Madagascar's luxury golf courses offer a fairway to power

Unlike in the rest of Africa, where golf is often seen as a leftover from the colonial period, Madagascar's political and business elites like to meet up over a round of golf. Andry Rajoelina's government has taken advantage of this parallel power structure to build up a solid support network.

Subscribers only Politics 23.11.2020

The Golf Club du Rova hosted the final stage of the Staysure Tour in 2019.

Madagascar
Ravatomanga goes hand in hand with minister Hajo for Senate race

Businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga is getting involved in the senatorial elections on behalf of the party of president Andry Rajoelina, with whom he is close. In Fianarantsoa, he is trying to secure a comfortable victory for TV Plus CEO Nicolas Rabemananjara.

Subscribers only Politics 04.11.2020

Spotlight | Madagascar
Sports federations become a political football

Following the issuing of a warrant for the arrest of Raoul Arizaka Rabekoto on 26 February, the president of the Fédération malgache de football (FMF) has fled to Switzerland. He is wanted in connection with his activities as head of [.

Subscribers only Politics 13.03.2020

Set up keyword notifications

Andry Rajoelina public figure
Confederation of African Football organisation
Maminiaina Ravatomanga public figure
Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko public figure
Vladimir Putin public figure
African Judo Union
Ahmad Ahamad
Comité olympique malgache
Fédération malgache de judo
Fondation Siteny
International Judo Federation
Marius Vizer
Nicolas Rabemananjara
Radio Television Siteny
Tinoka Roberto
TV Plus

Once registered, you will be notified by a short message on your computer or mobile phone as soon as a new edition of our publication or an alert is published. Stay informed anytime, anywhere!

Morocco
The incessant fall of flour milling company Forafric

DRC
Washington deal: intricacies behind Tshisekedi's poker move

Madagascar, Russia
Rajoelina's advisers rattled by ascent of new Moscow-friendly African judo boss

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Set up keyword notifications

West Africa
From Abidjan to Dakar, MMA's Francis Ngannou reps for PFL

Madagascar
Who is Vlad Marinescu, Siteny's discreet campaign manager?

Madagascar
Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Madagascar
Rajoelina spurned by potential presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko

Madagascar
Martial artists square up in presidential pre-campaign

Madagascar
Moscow sets about reviving its fortunes with a new charm offensive

Madagascar
With no ambassadors in place, who is holding the fort at Rajoelina's key embassies?

In Focus | Madagascar
Madagascar's luxury golf courses offer a fairway to power

Madagascar
Ravatomanga goes hand in hand with minister Hajo for Senate race

Spotlight | Madagascar
Sports federations become a political football

Set up keyword notifications

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Morocco The incessant fall of flour milling company Forafric

DRC Washington deal: intricacies behind Tshisekedi's poker move

Simandou, Nimba and Zogota: the long and difficult road to the start of iron ore production

Makhzen Inc. or the ever more prosperous business empire of Mohammed VI's entourage

West African cocoa cartel battles with the traders

Cyril Ramaphosa

TotalEnergies

Rio Tinto

Mohammed VI

Alassane Ouattara

Madagascar, Russia Rajoelina's advisers rattled by ascent of new Moscow-friendly African judo boss

This article may be accessed by subscribers

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

create a free account

Set up keyword notifications

West Africa From Abidjan to Dakar, MMA's Francis Ngannou reps for PFL

Madagascar Who is Vlad Marinescu, Siteny's discreet campaign manager?

Madagascar Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Madagascar Rajoelina spurned by potential presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko

Madagascar Martial artists square up in presidential pre-campaign

Madagascar Moscow sets about reviving its fortunes with a new charm offensive

Madagascar With no ambassadors in place, who is holding the fort at Rajoelina's key embassies?

In Focus | Madagascar Madagascar's luxury golf courses offer a fairway to power

Madagascar Ravatomanga goes hand in hand with minister Hajo for Senate race

Spotlight | Madagascar Sports federations become a political football

Set up keyword notifications

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Morocco
The incessant fall of flour milling company Forafric

DRC
Washington deal: intricacies behind Tshisekedi's poker move

Madagascar, Russia
Rajoelina's advisers rattled by ascent of new Moscow-friendly African judo boss

West Africa
From Abidjan to Dakar, MMA's Francis Ngannou reps for PFL

Madagascar
Who is Vlad Marinescu, Siteny's discreet campaign manager?

Madagascar
Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Madagascar
Rajoelina spurned by potential presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko

Madagascar
Martial artists square up in presidential pre-campaign

Madagascar
Moscow sets about reviving its fortunes with a new charm offensive

Madagascar
With no ambassadors in place, who is holding the fort at Rajoelina's key embassies?

In Focus | Madagascar
Madagascar's luxury golf courses offer a fairway to power

Madagascar
Ravatomanga goes hand in hand with minister Hajo for Senate race

Spotlight | Madagascar
Sports federations become a political football