2025-04-30 15:53:00

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French President Emmanuel Macron conducted a regional tour of the Indian Ocean during April 21–25, with stops in Mayotte, La Réunion, and Madagascar. The visit underscored the Indian Ocean's importance to France's broader Indo-Pacific strategy. From natural disasters to sovereignty disputes, the challenges Paris faces in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) lie at the intersection of local dynamics and wider geopolitical ambitions, demonstrating how national and regional interests are closely interconnected. France as a Resident Power in the Indian Ocean Region France has maintained a continuous presence in the IOR since the 17th century, extending its control over several island territories such as Madagascar, Mauritius, the Comoros, the Seychelles, and trading posts like Pondicherry (India). While most of these territories gained independence in the 20th century, France retains sovereignty over key territories including La Réunion, Mayotte, the Scattered Islands (Tromelin, Juan de Nova, Bassas da India, Europa, and the Glorioso Islands), and the Subantarctic Islands (Crozet, Kerguelen, Saint-Paul, and Amsterdam). These territories collectively account for approximately 2.6 million square kilometers, or around 25 percent, of France’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is the second largest in the world after that of the United States. Beyond its overseas sovereign territories, France also maintains military bases in Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates under bilateral agreements. [caption id=attachment_278058 align=aligncenter width=1012] Map by Paco Milhiet.[/caption] The IOR is of both strategic and economic importance for France, with approximately 50 percent of global trade transiting through its sea lanes, and significant natural resources within the French EEZ, including hydrocarbons in the Mozambique Channel and polymetallic nodules on the subantarctic seabeds. Security challenges, such as terrorism in East Africa and great power competition – exemplified by China's military base in Djibouti – have prompted France to bolster its military posture, with 3,700 troops, naval forces, and combat aircraft permanently deployed in the Indian Ocean. The IOR is therefore a key component to France’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, reflecting its ambition to be a credible regional power. During his trip, Macron also had to contend with pressing domestic challenges within the sovereign territories, underscoring the complex interplay between France’s global strategic ambitions and the local realities of its overseas territories. A Difficult Year for French Territories in the Indian Ocean Mayotte and La Réunion, the two permanently inhabited French territories in the Indian Ocean, have faced a series of severe environmental and social crises in recent months, exposing the systemic economic and social fragilities of these overseas territories. In December 2024, Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte, with winds exceeding 220 km/h, killing 40 people and causing 3.5 billion euros in damage. The storm exacerbated existing structural vulnerabilities, such as uncontrolled immigration, precarious housing, inadequate sanitation, and strained public services. Over 15,000 households lost electricity and internet access, while the entire island suffered water shortages. Just two months later, Cyclone Garance hit La Réunion, resulting in 250 million euros in damage, mostly to the agricultural sector. The storm undermined local efforts to enhance food sovereignty, a central issue ahead of the Indian Ocean Commission summit in Madagascar on April 24. Concurrently, La Réunion has been battling a chikungunya outbreak that has infected nearly 100,000 people and caused six deaths. The resurgence of the mosquito-borne disease raised public concern, as the island was already roughly hit by the 2005–2006 epidemic. In response, the French president announced several financial support measures, including a 3 billion euro reconstruction and development plan for Mayotte. However, reactions of local officials reflected frustration over the perceived lack of long-term engagement. In a telling sign, Macron’s visit was rushed due to his need to fly to Madagascar to attend the fifth summit of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). The Regional Integration Conundrum In addition to the tense domestic context, France’s presence in the IOR continues to generate geopolitical friction with neighboring countries due to a number of contentious territorial claims. The most enduring dispute concerns Mayotte, which the Comoros claims as part of its sovereign territory. Illegal immigration from the neighboring island of Anjouan (70 kilometers away from Mayotte) has led to serious social instability, inter-ethnic tensions, and a growing sense of insecurity. Nearly one in two inhabitants of Mayotte (out of a total population of 260,000) are foreign nationals. A separate territorial disagreement involves the Scattered Islands, which France administers, but whose sovereignty has been contested by Madagascar (for the islands of Europa, Glorieuse, and Juan de Nova) since 1973 and by Mauritius (for Tromelin) since 1976. Regarding these territorial disputes, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Comoros have received support from the United Nations General Assembly, the African Union, and Russia. The unresolved nature of these disputes complicates France's efforts to position itself as a cooperative and legitimate actor in the region. To overcome this challenge Paris has sought to strengthen the regional integration of its overseas territories and solidify its position as a resident power in the IOR. Building on its strategic partnerships, particularly with India, France has intensified its multilateral engagement in the IOR as a full member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association since 2020 and actively participating and hosting regional forums such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. Regular military deployments in the region, including those of the Charles de Gaulle carrier group, underscore its military presence and credibility. French diplomacy sought to capitalize on Macron's participation in the fifth IOC summit, held in Madagascar on April 24, to advance regional integration initiatives. The IOC, which includes Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, and Réunion (but not Mayotte), counts France as its largest financial contributor, providing a platform to address key issues. The diplomatic push was, however, welcomed with rather mixed outcomes. Macron publicly advocated for Mayotte’s inclusion in the IOC, a stance that drew sharp criticism from Comorian President Azali Assoumani. Regarding the Scattered Islands, the dispute remains diplomatically sensitive between Paris and Antananarivo but has witnessed modest progress. After years of dormancy, the Franco-Malagasy bilateral commission is set to reconvene in Paris in June, with the goal of exploring joint opportunities for development and cooperation. Conclusion National and regional interests are closely intertwined for France in the IOR. While dealing with local imperatives within its sovereign territories, France maintains a proactive diplomacy to achieve regional integration. Macron’s brief visit reaffirmed France’s commitment to the region, but tight scheduling amid global geopolitical tensions limited its scope. Symbolically, the trip ended abruptly as the president had to cancel his final stop in Mauritius to attend funeral of Pope Francis.