Relationship dossier
Madagascar
South Africa
Relationship assessment
SADC cooperation and mediation shaped a generally constructive relationship, alongside strain during Madagascar’s political crisis.
Madagascar toward South Africa
+25Malagasy political actors accepted a SADC-backed transition roadmap during the political crisis, cooperating with the regional process in which South Africa played a prominent role. The extent of separate bilateral Malagasy government initiatives toward South Africa is unclear.
South Africa toward Madagascar
+35South Africa participated in SADC mediation efforts during Madagascar’s political crisis and supported a regional transition process. Madagascar’s suspension from SADC after the 2009 coup reflected regional concern over the political situation, rather than a sustained bilateral dispute with South Africa.
Overall relationship
+30The relationship has been shaped chiefly by regional engagement rather than a clearly established set of close bilateral arrangements. South Africa’s role in SADC mediation and Malagasy acceptance of a regional transition roadmap provide concrete grounds for cooperation; Madagascar’s period of suspension from SADC added political strain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Madagascar and South Africa have cooperated through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), particularly during Madagascar’s political crisis. South Africa took part in regional mediation, while Malagasy political actors accepted a SADC-backed transition roadmap. Madagascar’s suspension from SADC after the 2009 coup and its later return mark a period of regional political strain, though the relationship is not defined by sustained bilateral confrontation.
Areas of tension
- Madagascar’s 2009 political crisis led to its suspension from SADC, creating regional strain involving South Africa as a member and mediator.
Key developments
Madagascar was suspended from SADC following the 2009 political crisis.
Malagasy political actors signed a SADC-backed transition roadmap, part of a regional effort in which South Africa participated.
Madagascar returned to SADC after the political transition.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral cooperation outside SADC mediation are unclear.
- Details of current government-to-government cooperation and trade arrangements are limited.