After the change of power in the island nation in October, Russia has been establishing close partnerships with Madagascar, located east of the Mozambique Channel, through which a third of the world’s oil supplies pass.

Russia is already supplying weapons to the island, and is also involved in ensuring the protection of the country’s president. There are plans to build fuel storage facilities in Madagascar and create a joint economic zone.

Earlier, the Parliament of Madagascar approved a law on the nationalization of oil imports. Amid negotiations with Russia on oil supplies, multinational companies Total Energy s and Vitol are forced to leave the island.

CRYSTAL OF GROWTH previously cited a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry that returning to Africa is the result of realizing Russia’s special place on the world stage.