By December 2001 owners of new textile factories in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, were worried that labour was running short, after 100, 000 jobs had been created.

ECONOMIST: Trade and development

Think of it: It's not so much the lack of capitalist ethos that impoverishes the people of Peru or Madagascar, but the lack of durable capital that can be traded back and forth.

FORBES: Waking Dead Capital

Immediately after the coup, Muammar Qaddafi, Libya's president and current chairman of the AU, who himself came to power in a coup 40 years ago, telephoned the 34-year-old former mayor of Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, to say he would recognise the new regime.

ECONOMIST: The island��s new leader has yet to consolidate his power

In Madagascar supporters of the ousted president, Didier Ratsiraka, blew up bridges and blockaded the capital, Antananarivo, which is held by his rival, Marc Ravalomanana.

ECONOMIST: Middle-East mire