The Speaker of Madagascar’s National Assembly, Setini Randrianasoloniaiko, revealed that the Deputy Head of Russian Military Intelligence, Andrei Avrianov, met with the country’s new leader, Colonel Mikhail Randrianerina, over the past weekend.
Avrianov also serves as the head of the “African Legion,” a paramilitary formation under the Russian Ministry of Defense, established to replace the Wagner Group. The Legion operates in several African countries, particularly those governed by military councils in the Sahel region.
Randrianasoloniaiko explained that the Russian delegation was primarily military, led by General Andrei Avrianov, and noted that the visit was initiated by the Russian government. Colonel Mikhail Randrianerina assumed leadership of Madagascar as the “Reconstruction President” on October 17, after leading a military unit known as “Capsat,” which participated in protests against former President Andry Rajoelina, who left the country with French assistance.
The National Assembly Speaker, a former opposition figure before the October military coup, affirmed that Moscow expressed its willingness to support Madagascar, especially in the areas of security and protection of the transitional president. At the same time, he emphasized that the country remains open to all international partners and that the new leadership does not adopt an anti-Western stance. Randrianasoloniaiko also noted that the Russian delegation delivered a shipment of weapons to the new authorities.
In a related development, Colonel Randrianerina justified a brief visit to Dubai earlier this month by citing “threats” against his life. During that visit, he met with Erik Prince, founder of the private security company Blackwater, whose name has been associated with crimes committed by its personnel against civilians in Iraq.
Although Moscow remains discreet about the scale of its military presence in Africa, Russian television last month broadcast footage of African Legion forces. Available reports indicate that this Legion, under the Russian Ministry of Defense, is currently deployed in six African countries, providing support to governments in confronting armed groups.