The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has obtained official registration in the Republic of Madagascar.

This was reported by the Russian Embassy in Antananarivo, according to Russian media.

According to the diplomatic mission, the island nation’s prime minister, Mamitiana Radzaunarison, has already signed the relevant decree.

The statement on the official recognition of the ROC was made following a meeting between Russia’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Aleksei Buryak and the Prime Minister of Madagascar.

Earlier, we reported that the African Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is luring Kenyans into the war in Ukraine. Young Kenyan citizens are offered travel to Russia for work or study, with the church undertaking to sponsor the trip.

Kenyans are brought to Russia on tourist visas. They are promised salaries ranging from 350,000 to 400,000 Kenyan shillings, about $3,000, however they never receive the money. Upon arrival in Russia, their documents are confiscated, bank accounts are opened in their names but are in fact controlled by commanders, after which they are sent to the front.

As LF reported, the Kremlin uses the Russian Orthodox Church as an instrument of influence in Africa and recruits local populations through it to take part in the war against Ukraine.

It is known that the Russian Orthodox Church considers Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to be key countries for the development of its mission in Africa. This was stated by Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa, Konstantin Ostrovsky.

It was previously reported that the Russian Orthodox Church officially established its presence in Cameroon through the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

We also previously wrote about how Russia is “reformatting” Africa and the Global South.