By RFPosted on 24-10-2019Modified on 24-10-2019 at 12:13

On Wednesday, October 23, Emmanuel Macron set foot on Great Glorious, the Scattered Islands claimed by Madagascar since 1976. Being the first president of the French Republic to tread this island, he wished to reaffirm the French sovereignty on this small territory . Reactions to Antananarivo.

The Scattered Islands , disputed in Madagascar, allow France to have a maritime economic zone of more than 600 000 km2, potentially rich in hydrocarbons. Suffice to say that the gesture of the French president did not go unnoticed on the Big Island. This Wednesday, some Unes of newspapers were already titling: " Macron visiting Madagascar ", just to remember how much the subject of the Scattered Islands is debate.

Officially, while making this stop on Great Glorious, it was for Emmanuel Macron to plead the safeguard of an extremely rare biodiversity. But the French president took advantage of this visit of two hours to let loose at the bends of conversations a " Here it is France, it is our pride, our wealth ", or announce the classification of the island in natural reserve from 2020, and then extend it to all of the Scattered Islands.

A meeting scheduled this Thursday in Reunion

Remarks that make react Rivo Rakotovao, president of the Malagasy Senate, and figure of the opposition: " At the symbolic level, it is a little strong! Because Madagascar can also go there to say "here it is Madagascar! " Now, it is urgent to sit down at a table to resolve these disputes, which in my opinion are too long ago. "

On the government side, the Minister of Finance told RFI that Madagascar was working closely with France. This Thursday, the Malagasy Prime Minister Christian Ntsay must meet Emmanuel Macron in Saint-Denis de La Réunion to discuss the subject. Last May, the Malagasy and French presidents announced the reopening of discussions and the setting up of a joint commission. The first meeting between the two parties is scheduled to be held in Madagascar on 18 November.

■ " We are working with France, " say the Malagasy authorities

The first ever Russia-Africa summit opened Wednesday in Sochi. Among the countries where Moscow has managed to establish itself in Africa in recent years: Madagascar. The president of the Big Island made the trip, accompanied by many ministers. RFI receives this Thursday, October 24 its Finance Minister Richard Randriamandrato. He agreed to express himself on the thorny issue of the Scattered Islands which Antananarivo claims retrocession.

    On the same subject

    Scattered Islands: a subject that arouses a lot of expectation among Malagasy

    Scattered Islands: Madagascar favors cooperation with France

    Madagascar and France to negotiate Scattered Islands agreement for 2020

    comments