The news cycle from Africa is usually predictable, with isolated sparks of individual and community hope amid a heavy dose of despair caused by socio-economic depravity, political squabbles and violence.
Last week's coverage would not have been any different, had it not been for the announcement that the African Union had imposed sanctions on Madagascar's rulers. The sanctions mark the first time the regional organization has ever invoked such an instrument, despite a plethora of more-brutal regimes on the continent deserving such punishment.
The AU's Peace and Security Council was not necessarily wrong to impose targeted sanctions on Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina and 108 of his top officials, given the country's political crisis and resulting human rights violations.