The battle for influence in southern Madagascar is now fully underway. After Ambovombe Androy, Refondation president Colonel Michaël Randrianirina traveled this weekend to Morondava in the Menabe region for national celebrations focused on environment, biodiversity and combating desertification. In the Menabe capital, the head of state mobilized a large crowd, confirming his determination to increase visits to this part of the country. In Morondava, the ceremony featured a major popular march, visits to environmental protection stands and several announcements. The president stressed that sustainable development could not be achieved without responsible management of natural resources. The choice of Menabe is significant, as the region is home to the Avenue of the Baobabs and the Menabe Antimena protected area, while suffering heavily from climate change effects. The head of state also announced the creation of four new national parks, the designation of two biosphere reserve statuses and the distribution of carbon sale revenues to 119 communes, protected area managers, the region and local communities. On social matters, he promised to send generators to strengthen electricity supply to Morondava. He also mentioned rehabilitation of certain roads, including problem sections of RN14, and the imminent restart of the Siranala factory with foreign operator support. However, while the regime attempts to assert its presence in the South and West, the opposition shows it maintains solid strongholds. In Ambovombe, Milavonjy Philobert, regional deputy and opposition leader in the National Assembly, demonstrated real political strength during June 26 celebrations. His rally drew a considerable crowd, confirming his political weight in Androy. This mobilization came just days after the Refondation president inaugurated RN13 between Ambovombe and Taolagnaro. For part of local opinion, this infrastructure remains associated with the former regime, as construction began long before current leaders arrived. In this context, the strong popular presence around Milavonjy Philobert resembles a distant duel between power and its opponents. The regime cannot yet claim to have conquered the South. Particularly since a possible reconciliation between Milavonjy Philobert and Michaël Randrianirina, both from the Grand South, remains to be confirmed.