1) The biggest news out of Africa is the newly independent country of South Sudan. The people of South Sudan have a lot of difficulties ahead, but rather than focus on those (you can find out more on the challenges with a simple google search) let's bask in the pure joy of the independence ceremonies.
The government of South Sudan has a nice play-by-play of the ceremonies. I think a lot of people will be rooting for South Sudan, especially with its president's cowboy look:
and words like this:
"We are far behind, we must now commit all our energies to socio-economic development of our country. Our lives are now in our own hands." - President Salva Kiir MayarditWhat is the Madagascar connection here? Well, I spent a long time trying to search for information regarding whether or not Madagascar was represented at the independence ceremony. Early reports had claimed that 80% of African countries would be represented, but after much Google-ing, it seems Madagascar was part of the other 20%. Indeed, according the the "authoritative" Wikipedia entry, Madagascar does not yet recognize South Sudan... which males sense since very few countries recognize Madagascar's current government!
2) Okay, this isn't "news," but NPR did a list of 5 New African Bands that Ruled in 2010, and included amongst some jamming musicians is a Malagasy artist, Razia Said. I had never heard her in Madagascar, perhaps because she lives "any andafy" (abroad). Still, here is a link to her site, where she is raising money to protect the Masoala forest in Madagascar. A few of my RPCV friends have seen her play in America and enjoyed it, so here is a video sampling!
Hat Tip: Africa is a Country
3) Here is an interesting list of comparisons: Country v. Company.
We've found 25 major American corporations whose 2010 revenues surpass the 2010 Gross Domestic Product of entire countries, often with a few billion to spare.
eBay is bigger than Madagascar
Hat Tip: A View from the Cave
1) Embarassing fact: Madagascar's GDP is less than Americans spend on dog food each year.
ReplyDelete2) I heard an interview of Razia Said with Dick Gordon on "The Story" last July 2010. That was the first time I heard her name and she is from Madagascar.
3) Wait and see how South Sudan will be doing.