• Emmanuel Macron's visit to Madagascar is the first by a French president in 20 years.
• Agreements were signed in energy, agriculture, and education to bolster economic ties.
• Macron will engage in discussions about territorial disputes from the colonial era.
• The trip includes participation in the Indian Ocean Commission summit.
• Restitution of cultural artifacts, including royal skulls, is also on the agenda.

French President Emmanuel Macron has commenced a two-day visit to Madagascar, marking the first state visit by a French leader since Jacques Chirac in 2005. The trip aims to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen France's presence in the Indian Ocean region, a strategy increasingly relevant as France seeks to reclaim its influence amidst growing competition from nations like China and India, according to africanews and allafrica.

During his visit, Macron met with Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina, resulting in several agreements and memoranda in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and education. Notably, among these commitments is funding for a hydroelectric dam in Volobe, aimed at enhancing the island's energy infrastructure, with support from the French Development Agency, as reported by lemonde and africanews.

However, Macron’s visit also involves addressing sensitive historical issues, including Madagascar's claims over the Scattered Islands, which remain under French control despite local demands for sovereignty. Rajoelina insists on continued dialogue regarding these territories during upcoming negotiations set for June 30, reflecting ongoing colonial-era tensions that contribute to the complexities of Franco-Malagasy relations, according to lemonde and lemonde.

Macron has also pledged to support the return of cultural artifacts taken during colonization, including skulls from Madagascar that have been held in France for over a century, thus acknowledging the cultural and emotional ramifications of colonial history on current diplomatic relations, as reiterated by lemonde and africanews.