France President starts two-day visit to Madagascar

France President, Emmanuel Macron arrived in Madagascar on Wednesday, marking the first state visit by a french leader to the island nation since 2005.

The two-day visit aims to strengthen France presence in Indian Ocean and deepen bilateral ties with Madagascar.

As France loses its influence in the Sahel, its leaders have been turning to east and southern Africa to strengthen ties.

Madagascar with a population of 30 million is an important French-speaking country.