<figure id="attachment_3184253" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3184253" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3184253 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/f4e48b2e-ap25287599319631_cropped_1.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3184253" class="wp-caption-text">CAPSAT military unit commander Col Michael Randrianirina joined protesters in Antananarivo to announce that the armed forces were taking control of Madagascar. (AP pic)</figcaption></figure>
MOSCOW: Russia said today that it was closely watching events in Madagascar and hoped that bloodshed would be avoided after the military took power following weeks of youth-led protests.
Demonstrations first erupted in Madagascar on Sept 25 over water and power shortages and quickly escalated into an uprising over broader grievances, including corruption, bad governance and a lack of basic services.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina declared yesterday that he had taken power and that a military committee would rule the country for a period of up to two years alongside a transitional government before organising new elections.
&#8220;We are following the development of the situation in Madagascar with anxiety,&#8221; Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.
&#8220;We believe that what is happening is an internal matter of this country,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;We call for restraint and for the prevention of bloodshed,&#8221; Zakharova said, adding that Moscow hoped Madagascar&#8217;s &#8220;return to the path of democratic development&#8221; would happen as soon as possible.
Russia in recent years has been increasing its influence in Africa, partly through the Wagner mercenary group which has operated in Central African Republic, Madagascar, Libya, Mozambique and Mali.
According to the New York Times and the BBC, the Wagner group was active in Madagascar during the 2018 presidential election.

MatchPoint Times

Russia says it hopes bloodshed will be avoided in Madagascar

In recent years, Russia has been increasing its influence in Africa, partly through the Wagner mercenary group.

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