Torrential rains in northwest Madagascar have caused severe flooding, leaving at least 32 dead, over 120,000 affected, and 15,000 displaced. The government has declared a national disaster and mobilized resources to aid victims. Residents of Marovoay, a city of 20,000, are particularly hard-hit, with many losing homes, food supplies, and livelihoods. The flooding is attributed to the increasing intensity of tropical storms due to global warming. President Andry Rajoelina has promised food, medical care, and other support to the affected areas.

Russian operatives, approved by President Vladimir Putin and coordinated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, engaged in election interference in Madagascar, employing tactics such as disinformation campaigns, bribery, and supporting spoiler candidates. Despite initial setbacks and corruption, they successfully shifted their support to the eventual winner, Andry Rajoelina, securing control over a chromium mining operation. The operation mirrored Russia's broader strategy of leveraging political influence in Africa for material gain, highlighting the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to expand its geopolitical clout.

On International Mother Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, the interdependence between humans, other living species, and the planet is highlighted. In 2021, Madagascar, one of the countries most affected by deforestation, saw about fifteen farmers turn to beekeeping as an alternative to woodcutting. Beekeeping is beginning to be seen as a sustainable solution to deforestation in the country.

On Friday, July 29, thirty people were burned alive and two others injured during an armed attack by a dozen assailants in the village of Ambolotarakely, located north of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. The police have so far shot one suspected assailant and arrested five others. Rural banditry has escalated into deadly conflict among villagers over the past several years.

Madagascar has been devastated by five natural disasters in less than two months, including two major cyclones, resulting in over 200 deaths and leaving 460,000 people without shelter. The eastern city of Mananjary has been nearly destroyed, with 35,000 residents struggling to survive without basic necessities. International aid agencies are providing crucial support to the affected population.

In the Sambirano Valley of northwestern Madagascar, the highly reputed Criollo cocoa beans are cultivated, becoming the main income source for 30,000 Malagasy farmers. These beans, known for their unique acidic taste, are favored by master chocolatiers globally and have earned numerous international awards. Despite Madagascar's chocolate representing less than 1% of global production, its distinctive flavors have positioned it at the pinnacle of the high-end market.

Southern Madagascar is experiencing a severe famine, with over a million people in need of food across a region the size of Virginia. Years of drought and sandstorms, exacerbated by climate change, have devastated agriculture. The World Food Programme has identified 14,000 people at level five of food insecurity, meaning they have nothing left to eat. Despite aid efforts and government initiatives, the situation remains critical, with many resorting to eating roots, cactuses, and even leather to survive. The UN requires $78.6 million for food aid, but the current assistance is insufficient. The government has announced major projects to address the crisis, which has been worsened by factors such as population growth and natural resource depletion.

In Madagascar, a severe famine has gripped the southern region, exacerbated by unprecedented droughts linked to global climate change. The World Food Programme reports that 1.5 million people urgently need food aid. Despite the dire situation, the Malagasy government has not declared a state of emergency. The article highlights the complex causes of the crisis, including crime, corruption, and poverty, and describes the harrowing conditions in the region of Anosy. Aid efforts, particularly the distribution of Plumpy'Doz, bring temporary relief and joy to the affected children.

Madagascar is experiencing a severe health crisis due to the South African variant of Covid-19, with approximately 11,500 cases and 200 deaths per month. The situation is exacerbated by shortages of oxygen, lack of medications, and overwhelmed hospitals. Despite the government's downplaying of the crisis, the first vaccines are expected to arrive by the end of the week.

The emergence of the 'South African' variant of Covid-19 in Madagascar has led to approximately 11,500 infections and 200 deaths per month, figures that are likely underestimated. The crisis is exacerbated by shortages of oxygen and medicine, although authorities claim the situation is more severe in other regions.

Famine is devastating southern Madagascar due to drought, poor governance, predatory businesses, and rural banditry, leaving hundreds of thousands acutely malnourished and in dire need of food relief. Locals report at least 15 starvation deaths, including children, though experts suggest the actual number is likely higher. Authorities have been unprepared for the crisis.

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina is now promoting a capsule version of the herbal remedy Covid Organics, initially introduced as a tea, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. While seven million people in Madagascar have reportedly tried the tea, the World Health Organization has warned against promoting untested remedies. Opposition voices, including MP Roland Ratsiraka, have criticized the remedy, citing threats and arrests of medical professionals who have questioned its efficacy.

The New York Times was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for investigations into Russian interference in foreign political affairs, including a segment on Madagascar by journalist Gaëlle Borgia. Borgia, a Franco-Malagasy journalist, collaborated with Michael Schwirtz on an investigation into Russia's influence on Madagascar's 2018 presidential election. The article discusses Borgia's work, the perception of Russians in Madagascar, the organized Russian operations during the election, and Borgia's reaction to winning the Pulitzer Prize. Borgia emphasizes the importance of her work as a journalist in Madagascar, a country often overlooked by international media.

Russia's meddling in Madagascar's elections mirrors its interference in the United States, involving disinformation and support for spoiler candidates, including an apocalyptic cult leader, to influence the outcome. The primary motive appears to be profit, with a Russian company acquiring a significant stake in Madagascar's chromium mining industry. Despite initial support for President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Russian operatives switched allegiance to Andry Rajoelina, who won the election. The operation, marked by incompetence and corruption, highlights Russia's broader strategy to extend its influence in Africa and challenge Western dominance.

Russia's involvement in Madagascar's elections, orchestrated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, mirrors its tactics in the United States, including disinformation campaigns and support for spoiler candidates. The primary objective appears to be profit, as evidenced by the acquisition of a stake in a chromium mining company. Despite initial failures and corruption, Russian operatives successfully shifted their support to Andry Rajoelina, securing their interests. The Kremlin's broader strategy includes reviving relations with African nations to counter Western influence, with Prigozhin playing a key role in these efforts.

Russia, under the direction of Vladimir Putin and Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been involved in electoral interference in Madagascar, similar to its operations in the United States. The strategy included disinformation campaigns, supporting spoiler candidates, and leveraging local resources for profit. Despite initial failures and corruption, the Russian operatives managed to shift their support to the eventual winner, Andry Rajoelina, securing control over a valuable chromium mining operation. The Kremlin's broader agenda includes reviving relations with African countries to counter Western influence, with Prigozhin playing a significant role in these efforts.

Russian operatives, approved by President Vladimir Putin and some of the same figures involved in the 2016 U.S. presidential election disinformation, coordinated a campaign in Madagascar. This was revealed through interviews with officials and local operatives in Madagascar, as well as hundreds of pages of internal Russian documents.