At a Glance
Alliances & Memberships
- UN
- AU
- SADC
- COMESA
- OIF
- Indian Ocean Commission
Foreign Policy Overview
Vanilla and nickel exports; biodiversity diplomacy; Iles Eparses dispute with France.
Key Positions on Major Issues
Iles Eparses sovereignty; conservation funding; non-aligned.
UN Voting Record Notes
African consensus; abstains on Russia.
Economy & Trade
Madagascar's economy is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture employing over 70% of the workforce and contributing roughly 24% to GDP. The country is the world's leading producer of vanilla and a major exporter of cloves, nickel, and cobalt through the Ambatovy project. It uses the Malagasy Ariary (MGA) and maintains key trade partnerships with France, China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite significant natural resource wealth, it remains one of the world's poorest countries, heavily dependent on international climate aid and development grants.
Military & Security
The Madagascar People's Armed Forces (PAF) are focused primarily on domestic security, disaster relief, and anti-dahalo (cattle rustling) operations. Defense spending remains low, typically under 1% of GDP, and the country possesses no nuclear or WMD capabilities. Madagascar follows a doctrine of non-alignment but maintains close military cooperation with France for Indian Ocean maritime patrolling. The military has historically played a significant role in domestic political crises, though it currently emphasizes professionalization and peacekeeping contributions.
Recent History
Following the 1990s transition to multiparty democracy, Madagascar experienced a decade of instability, culminating in the 2001 contested election between Didier Ratsiraka and Marc Ravalomanana. A major political crisis occurred in 2009 when Andry Rajoelina seized power in a military-backed coup, leading to years of international sanctions and suspension from the AU. Stability returned with the 2013 elections, and Rajoelina subsequently won the 2018 and 2023 presidential contests. Current foreign policy is defined by a 'diplomacy for development' approach, seeking to balance ties between Western donors and Chinese infrastructure investment. The country is currently grappling with the aftermath of historic droughts and cyclones which have severely impacted food security.
International Memberships
- African Union (AU)since 1963
Key regional economic and security partner.
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)since 2005
Primary regional trade integration framework.
- Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)since 1982
Crucial for maritime security and trade across the Indian Ocean.
- Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)since 1970
Reflecting strong post-colonial ties and linguistic cooperation.
MUN Negotiation Profile
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), African Group, Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Pragmatic and consensus-oriented, often aligning with the African Union consensus while emphasizing "Indian Ocean identity."
- Any infringement on sovereign control over the Îles Éparses (Scattered Islands) currently administered by France.
- Conditionalities on climate finance that ignore the specific vulnerability of island nations.
- Foreign military intervention in domestic political transitions or maritime territory.
- "Demanding 'loss and damage' compensation for climate-induced droughts in the Grand Sud region."
- "Advocating for the 'Blue Economy' and increased protection against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing."
- "Calling for the restructuring of sovereign debt to allow for investment in biodiversity conservation."