WI: Madagascar never conquered and becomes a regional power

Please, no one suggest a continuation of Queen Ranavalona I's policies; killing half the island's population does not fend off European colonialism in the long run.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
Based off of the discussion in this thread: https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/wi-meiji-madagascar.363543/

How can we make Madagascar as strong as possible, never get conquered by the Europeans, and exist as a regional power to at least the end of the 19th Century.

PoD should be after about 1000 CE.
Have Britain avoid losing interest in Madagascar after the opening of the Suez Canal; indeed, that might be enough to deter extremely aggressive French moves in Madagascar.
 
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