Madagascar transitions to new political leadership
Recently, international news reports have covered the ongoing situation on the coast of the east African country of Somalia. Somali pirates have been attacking U.S. cargo and merchant ships in an attempt to disrupt aid donations and trade relations in the area. Another African country has been experiencing some social unrest recently, as well. Madagascar is in the midst of a presidential transition of power. Some followers of Madagascar’s political scene consider this shift to be unconstitutional. French President Nicolas Sarkozy commented: “I greatly regret what has happened in Madagascar and I call for elections as soon as possible, which is the only way out of this imbroglio.” After being colonized by France in 1896, Madagascar gained independence in 1960. The island nation is unique among not only African countries but also countries from around the world. Located in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, after Greenland, N