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.

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.

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.

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.