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India is conducting its largest-ever naval exercise off the east coast of Africa, known as the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement, or AIKEYME, with 10 other African countries on April 13-18, Radio France Internationale reported on April 16.

East Africa: India Holds Its Largest Naval Exercise With East African Countries

Canadian miner NextSource Materials completed the first shipment of graphite concentrate from its Molo mine in southern Madagascar to the United States and Germany, Mining Weekly reported Oct. 25.

Madagascar: Molo Mine Completes First Graphite Shipment 

Madagascar's High Constitutional Court announced that President Andry Rajoelina's parliamentary coalition would secure 84 of 163 seats, up from 80 seats according to provisional results, Midi Madagasikara reported on June 28.

Madagascar: Ruling Coalition Secures Parliamentary Majority in Final Results

The campaign season for Madagascar's May 29 legislative elections began on May 8, Radio France Internationale reported the same day.

Madagascar: Campaign Season for Legislative Elections Begins 

Madagascar's Constitutional Court confirmed President Andry Rajoelina's reelection on Nov. 16 in response to a court challenge by the runner-up, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, BBC reported Dec. 1. 

Madagascar: Court Confirms President Rajoelina's Reelection

Madagascar's opposition presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who received 14.4% of votes to incumbent President Andry Rajoelina's 58.95% of votes during the Nov. 16 election, filed lawsuits with the country's highest court to have the results of the allegedly fraudulent election overturned, AP reported on Nov. 28.  

Madagascar: Opposition Candidate Files Lawsuit Claiming Rajoelina's Victory Was Fraudulent

Central African Republic

Equatorial Guinea

Mali

Sudan

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Zimbabwe

Russia

Libya

Echoes of the Cold War

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

The Guardian has reportedly obtained documents revealing Russian influence efforts in Africa, the British paper reported June 11.

Russia: Leaked Documents Detail Russian Campaign for Influence in Africa

Russian political operatives attempted to bribe multiple Malagasy presidential candidates in the island country's 2018 election, the BBC reported April 8.

Madagascar: Russian Operatives Reportedly Bribed Presidential Candidates

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France

A Gabonese brigade participates in a training exercise as part of a military program linked to the Franco-Gabonese partnership at the French military base Camp de Gaulle in Libreville on March 19, 2025. 

France's reduced influence in Africa will create space for local and foreign actors to take on greater leadership roles, but their inability to fill the security vacuum left by France's withdrawal would threaten to destabilize the region.

France, Africa and the Future, Part 2: The Age of Multi-Alignment 

A picture released on July 12, 1963, of then-French President Gen. Charles de Gaulle (2L) and Jacques Foccart (L) greeting African, Malagasy and French overseas territories veterans arriving in Paris for French Bastille Day celebrations.

After decades of cultivating tight-knit relationships with francophone African countries, France has effectively ended its forward military presence in West and Central Africa amid shifting political dynamics in both regions, which will weaken its influence on the continent but enable Paris to reallocate resources towards Europe's security.

France, Africa and the Future, Part 1: A New Balance of Power 

Assessments

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Yael Braun-Pivet, a French lawmaker for the ruling Renaissance party, delivers a speech after being reelected as National Assembly president following the third round of voting on July 18, 2024.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: France Resumes Political Horse-Trading, Blinken Returns to Middle East

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U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet Nov. 14, 2022, in Bali, Indonesia.

U.S.-China Relations

The Weekly Rundown: Xi and Biden at APEC, a Saudi Summit on Gaza

Opposition supporters attend a rally in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 21, 2023, ahead of the country’s Nov. 16 presidential election.

President Rajoelina’s likely reelection on Nov. 16 portends limited mining sector reforms and a continuation of rampant corruption, poverty and crime in the East African island nation.

Previewing Madagascar's Presidential Election

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Graphics

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Energy

Delegates attend a plenary session at the U.N. climate change summit in Paris on Dec. 9.

The agreement signed Dec. 12 in Paris is just a small part of a broader energy transition driven by technological change.

Climate Agreement Will Only Hasten Transition Beyond Oil

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_Energy

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Environment, Science & Technology

Japan's Changing Investment Patterns in Africa 


Increasingly Japan has focused on building African "human security" and social development, with projects in health care, water, sanitation and education

France, Africa: Paris Struggles to Retain Colonial Ties

Despite strong efforts to maintain its historic bonds with its former colonies in Africa, France's position is far from guaranteed.

France Struggles to Retain Colonial Ties in Africa

In Madagascar, Bombings Precede a Presidential Election

Opposition to foreign involvement in Malagasy politics has manifested as a series of bombings in Antananarivo.

Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean located just off the coast of southeast Africa. Its neighbors include Mozambique to the west, the Comoros islands and France's Mayotte Department to the northwest, and Mauritius and France's Reunion Island to the east. The island is principally known for its rich biodiversity.    Due to Madagascar's geographic location, its population contains a mix of cultures. Those in the largest ethnic group, known as the Merina, are actually predominantly Malayo-Indonesians who arrived in boats many centuries ago by utilizing the winds of the Indian Ocean. Following the Merina, groups from the African mainland and Arab traders eventually settled on the island. At the end of the 19th century, French colonial expansion came to the island, lasting until its independence in 1960.    Since gaining independence, Madagascar has struggled to achieve political stability and economic growth. At times this struggle has taken on an ethnic dimension. The Merina control the highlands, including the capital city of Antananarivo, and have clashed with other groups on the island. There are also tensions with immigrants from the Comoros. Managing the cultural and ethnic diversity remains one of country's principal challenges. Additionally, as one of the poorest countries in the world, Madagascar suffers a dearth of infrastructure and must grapple with the devastating impact of seasonal cyclones and hurricanes.    In terms of foreign relations, Madagascar has historically leaned on former colonizer, France, for support. Nevertheless, given its island status, it has also exercised an ability to balance international interest. Over the years, it has strengthened ties to North Korea, China, the United States, the Republic of South Africa and others.

SITUATION REPORTS

East Africa: India Holds Its Largest Naval Exercise With East African Countries

Madagascar: Molo Mine Completes First Graphite Shipment

Madagascar: Ruling Coalition Secures Parliamentary Majority in Final Results

Madagascar: Campaign Season for Legislative Elections Begins

Madagascar: Court Confirms President Rajoelina's Reelection

Madagascar: Opposition Candidate Files Lawsuit Claiming Rajoelina's Victory Was Fraudulent

Russia: Leaked Documents Detail Russian Campaign for Influence in Africa

Madagascar: Russian Operatives Reportedly Bribed Presidential Candidates

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