A new bill in the US Congress would require US missions in Africa to monitor Russia's activities on the continent, particularly in Madagascar. It was reported on Friday by Midi Madagasikara newspaper.
The newspaper notes that the draft of the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act stipulates that monitoring of Russia's efforts to consolidate its political influence and the activities of Russian private military companies becomes the new main task of US diplomacy in Africa. It is an attempt to counter the expansion of Russian influence in Africa.
The newspaper stresses that the United States, which supports Ukraine, expects to use the new law to encourage African states to join its side against Russia's efforts. They intend to keep an eye on the "extent, the nature of the influence and malign activities of the Russian Federation, as well as its related priorities in the spheres of diplomacy, economy and security and strategic goals of its efforts in Africa".
First and foremost, the paper points out, there are about 20 African countries, including Madagascar, in the US's crosshairs. They attract the attention of the US political elite by their extensive and rapidly developing connections in the field of mining, as well as in the sphere of military-technical cooperation, in the sphere of security, information and communication technologies. Various US organizations represented in Madagascar are ready to act on these instructions. In any case, the new US Ambassador to Madagascar, Claire Pierangelo, has already stated publicly that "for the upcoming presidential elections in Madagascar in 2023 we have the opportunity to stand with the Malagasy people to strengthen democratic principles, ensure full and open political participation and exert pressure to protect human rights."
The other day, Madagascar's Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato stated that the United States is seeking to get the republic to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine and to join their position on the world stage. However, Madagascar, the minister stressed, is not going to choose any particular side in the Ukrainian crisis.
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Based on materials from TASS