The Comoros remain relatively undiscovered, which is both exciting and frustrating for travellers. You’ll feel like a trailblazer wherever you go and will be genuinely welcome. On the other hand, the tourism industry is still in its infancy, and Comorian timekeeping is as relaxed as the atmosphere. Read the full story here. Published in The National on 22 November 2013. Continue reading Grande Comore, tourism for explorers
Blue Ventures has increased contraception use from 10% in 2007 to 55% today. What can the global health community learn from the works of this conservation NGO? Read the full story here. Published on the Guardian’s Development Professionals’ Network, 12 Nov 2013. Continue reading Family planning in Madagascar: lessons from a conservation NGO
The news have recently been full of reports of African migrants dying in the Mediterranean or the Saharan on their way to Europe. But for the past 20 years, a similar tragedy has been unfolding thousands of miles away in the Indian Ocean, where desperate migrants from the Comoros have tried to make their way to the French island of Mayotte. You can listen to … Continue reading The untold story of illegal migration in the Comoros
Candidates will be forming alliances ahead of the second round of presidential elections on 20 December, which will also coincide with the legislative elections. The job of Prime Minister is at stake. Read the full story here. Published in The Africa Report, 28 October 2013. Continue reading Madagascar: Political jockeying ahead of December elections
The first round of the elections on 25 October was a momentous occasion: that they happened at all is remarkable, after so many false starts. That they happened without incident was more than most people hoped for. Here’s to hoping they can repeat the feat for the second round on 20 December. Read the full story here. Published on African Arguments, 30 October 2013. Continue reading Madagascar elections: they happened, and without incident
Madagascar’s economy is floundering amidst chronic political uncertainty. Presidential elections must run smoothly to provide businesses the stability they need. Read the full story here. Published in This Is Africa, 25 October 2013. Continue reading Elections key to kickstart Madagascar economy
The African island nation has languished under foreign sanctions since a coup in 2009. Many hope Friday’s vote will put the country back on track. Read the full story here. Published in the Christian Science Monitor, 24 October 2013. Continue reading Madagascar pins hopes on presidential elections
You may struggle to place the country on a map (fyi in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique) but this is precisely why travellers love the Comoros. They have signature Indian Ocean charm, without the high end frills of other tropical islands. Read the full story here. Published on lonelyplanet.com, 18 October 2013. Continue reading Comoros: Tropical charm off the beaten path
A coup in 2009 has led the island republic into poverty. But presidential elections on 25 October could reverse that trend. Read the full story here. Published in The Guardian, 22 October 2013. Continue reading Madagascar takes steps towards democracy
The political crisis in Madagascar has had a devastating impact on the education system: money for schools and teachers has dried up and parents have struggled to pay fees. Elections on 25 October could herald a new chapter. You can listen to the story here (starts nearly 12 min in). The piece aired on the BBC’s From Our Own Correspondent on Radio 4 on 17 … Continue reading Education: collateral damage of Madagascar’s politics
