The second round of joint committee meetings between France and Madagascar on the Scattered Islands dispute began on Monday in Paris, aiming to revive discussions on a sovereignty issue that has remained unresolved since the initial talks held in Antananarivo in November 2019.
Despite the renewed dialogue, a significant gap remains between the two sides. Madagascar maintains its claim to the islands and calls for their return, while France insists the islands are an integral part of its national territory.
During his recent visit to Madagascar, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s sovereignty over the islands but proposed the idea of a joint administration — a suggestion that has sparked widespread debate.
