A humanitarian and military Russian aid to Madagascar

Madagascar’s government received another shipment of Russian arms and equipment
Photo: Presidency of the Madagascar Republic

A special aircraft of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations delivered humanitarian aid to residents of Madagascar affected by Cyclone Gezani. This was reported in the press service of the department, Izvestia reports.

It is noted that the cargo with a total weight of 60 tons was delivered to Antananarivo airport by two IL-76 aircraft. Rescuers handed over food to the residents of the island.

It is specified that humanitarian aid was transferred on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and on behalf of the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenkov.

"Two sides of the IL-76 of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations delivered humanitarian aid supplies — beans, sunflower oil, rice — with a total weight of about 59 tons. We hope that our assistance will have a significant impact in the region," said the Chief Expert of the Department of International Affairs (DMD). Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations Yana Martin.

On February 19, Putin, during talks with his Madagascar counterpart Mikael Randrianirin, called Madagascar one of Russia's important partners in Africa. He also noted that Russia is ready to develop humanitarian ties with Madagascar. The Russian leader added that the two countries have good prospects for strengthening ties, including political ones.

Russia steps up arms supplies to Madagascar’s military

Madagascar’s five-month old military government received another shipment of Russian arms and equipment as the two countries deepen ties, Bloomberg writes.

A consignment of armored vehicles, small arms, ammunition and uniforms arrived in the country and was inspected by President Michael Randrianirina, an army colonel. The delivery followed talks between Randrianirina and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, his office said in a statement.

The assistance, which will include training for senior Malagasy military officials both domestically and in Russia, is a “strategic asset for the Malagasy army,” Ely Razafitombo, the African country’s defense minister, said in a statement.

Since Randrianirina and the military overthrew the government of President Andry Rajoelina in October after widespread protests over water and power shortages, Russia has moved swiftly to strengthen relations. In December it sent military personnel and weapons to protect the new government and in February provided military helicopters and aid after a cyclone.

Randrianirina broke with tradition by making Moscow and a meeting with Putin his first foreign trip rather than meeting with the leader of France as his predecessors had done. He later met French President Emmanuel Macron.

Russia has sought to provide military assistance to a number of fragile states in Africa including the Central African Republic and Mali as well as signing military cooperation agreements with several more.

Madagascar’s government also announced that it will officially recognize the Russian Orthodox Church and its presence in the country.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs