Why did Madagascar maintain close ties with France after independence?

Following Madagascar's independence in 1960, the nation maintained close ties with France primarily due to the political orientation of the First Republic under President Philibert Tsiranana. Tsiranana, who led the country until 1972, prioritized a foreign policy that kept strong bonds with France while also aligning with other anticommunist powers, such as the United States and South Africa.1

During this period, the Malagasy economy remained heavily integrated with France, which accounted for nearly half of the island's exports and supplied more than half of its imports. Furthermore, the nation's financial systems—including currency, banking, and economic planning—were deeply influenced by bilateral accords with France and the presence of French personnel in government and technical assistance roles. This close relationship persisted until the political and labor unrest of the early 1970s, which led to a shift toward a military regime and a move away from the previous economic dependency on France.21