Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina arrived in Paris to hold high-stakes talks with French President Emmanuel Macron over the long-contested Scattered Islands—five tiny islets in the Indian Ocean that have been a source of diplomatic friction for decades. Known in French as “Îles Éparses,” the islands—Bassas da India, Europa, Juan de Nova, Glorioso Islands, and Tromelin—cover just 43 square kilometers but carry outsized strategic, ecological, and economic importance. Once administered as part of colonial Madagascar, the islands were split off by France in 1960 when Madagascar gained independence.
Madagascar has repeatedly called for their return, arguing that their detachment violated the spirit of decolonization. The United Nations General Assembly supported this position in non-binding resolutions passed in 1979 and 1980, which called for the reintegration of the islets into Madagascar’s territory. France, however, maintains control over the islands and appears unwilling to relinquish them. The islets grant France jurisdiction over more than 640,000 square kilometers of maritime space—about 6% of its total exclusive economic zone (EEZ)—which is rich in fish stocks and potentially untapped gas reserves. They are also designated ecological sanctuaries and have growing importance in maritime security strategies across the southwestern Indian Ocean.
The two countries had previously agreed to a joint administration framework in 2019, but the arrangement has since stalled due to political tensions and a lack of concrete progress. Rajoelina’s visit comes as Madagascar intensifies diplomatic efforts to reclaim the territory, citing both historical ownership and symbolic sovereignty. French officials have countered that the islands’ uninhabited status and ecological value warrant continued stewardship under France, although they remain open to expanded cooperation. Observers say the outcome of the Paris talks could define the next chapter of Franco-Malagasy relations and influence broader geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean.
