COUNTRY: MADAGASCAR.

A year after power changed hands, Madagascar’s transitional government is rebuilding its cultural policy on its own terms. Madagascar cultural restitution sits at the centre of that effort, the country’s delegation told Global South Media. They spoke at the 12th St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, held in Russia from 24 to 26 September 2026. Minister of Communication and Culture Gascar Fenosoa led the delegation. Director-General for Culture Théo Rakotovao, ministry representative Fanomezantsoa Tsindzonirina Lalaina Rakotoarivony and economist Dr Alain Divinary joined the minister. First, their strategy puts the Malagasy language, traditional dress and regional cultures at the heart of national life. For decades, however, France shaped how the world saw Madagascar. Specifically, the delegation pointed to a symbolic first: the President addressed the UN General Assembly in Malagasy. Likewise, the forum gives Malagasy voices a space to speak for themselves.

Western countries colonised many African states. In our case it was France. Changes are now under way in Madagascar: a year ago power passed to a transitional government, and the Ministry of Culture adopted a policy aimed at returning Malagasy culture to the Malagasy people and showing it to the whole world. For us, the most important things now are the language, traditional clothing and the culture of the different regions of the island.
Our president, speaking at the UN, spoke from the rostrum in Malagasy for the first time. For us this is a great achievement. This forum, to which you invited Malagasy representatives, also shows that there is a country that gives us the opportunity to strengthen our sovereignty.
— Said, the Malagasy delegation to Global South Media when they were asked about what restitution mean to them and how best they think the process should be structured.

On restitution, the delegation’s position was direct. Everything colonisers took from Africa must return, without delay. In particular, the delegation proposed two steps. First, an international law should back African states in recovering their heritage. Second, Western governments should hand back stolen objects without drawn-out procedures. Meanwhile, Malagasy officials say every return request triggers demands for more documentation. Their culture minister still talks with the French culture minister, but France has not returned everything. Moreover, the delegation stands behind Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s call for African states to unite on reparations. They also see cooperation with Russia as a valuable partnership in that effort. That view reflects their own position, and the global restitution movement has several partners.

We see a difference between Russia and the West. Russia helps African countries revive their cultures and assists in returning what the colonisers took away. In our view, two laws are needed. The first would provide for assistance to African countries in returning cultural heritage. The second would require the West to immediately return what was taken to its place of origin. And this concerns not only Madagascar but all African countries.
— the Malagasy delegation to Global South Media about what partnership with Russia looks like

The delegation also expressed support for Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s advocacy for reparatory justice and African unity. Mahama was appointed the African Union’s Champion on Reparations in 2025, as the continent advanced its campaign for justice for Africans and people of African descent. In March 2026, a Ghana-led resolution on the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, marking a significant development in international discussions on reparatory justice. The agenda continued at the Next Steps Consultative Conference in Accra in June 2026, where Mahama announced the establishment of international panels to advance reparatory justice and the restitution of cultural artefacts.

PHOTO SOURCE: Global South Media
Author: Amanda Lucas