Madagascar was at the time an independent country, ruled from the capital of Antananarivo by the Merina dynasty from the central highlands.

[3] Resident-general Charles Le Myre de Vilers broke negotiation and effectively declared war on the Malagasy monarchy.

[16] Duchesne had to send a "flying column" from Andriba on the 14 September 1895, formed of Algerian and African soldiers as well as marines and accompanied by pack mules, to the capital.

[22] The conquest of the island was formalized by the 6 August 1896 vote at the French National Assembly, which resulted in favor of the annexation of Madagascar.

[23] Despite the success of the expedition, the quelling of the sporadic rebellions would take another eight years until 1905, when the island was completely pacified by the French under Joseph Gallieni.