DW AfricaLink

In a bold diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has welcomed five West African leaders to the White House, spotlighting the region's vast mineral wealth and strategic importance. As the US pivots from aid to trade, the high-stakes summit signaled a new chapter in global power dynamics — where Africa's resources are the prize in a growing contest with China and Russia.

Freedom of expression is under threat in Zimbabwe as the ruling party pushes to criminalize criticism of the government, labeling it unpatriotic. Opposition legislators warn that such a law could be used to silence dissenting voices and target journalists. Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with Nigel Nyamutumbu, Programs Manager at the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe, and DW’s Privilege Musvanhiri.

Nigerians are divided on the legacy of their late former president. He was hailed for his anti-corruption drive and security focus and criticized for economic problems and rising insecurity. Josey Mahachi talks to Dengiyefa Angalapu, a researcher with the Centre for Democracy and Development, and DW's Abiodun Jamiu in Abuja.

Experts are warning that democracy across Africa is under serious threat. The new Democracy Capture (DEMCAP) Index shows that powerful interests are increasingly taking control of democratic institutions, undermining governance. Eddy Micah Jr speaks to researchers Dr. John Osae-Kwapong and Lois Matthew. They focus on democratization and authoritarianism in West Africa and the Sahel.

In Ghana, women in agriculture face tough challenges, including entrenched gender norms, limited access to credit, and unequal access to land. Some of them have decided to break barriers by joining forces to fight discrimination and poverty while boosting food security in rural areas. DW's Eddy Micah Jr. speaks to Wedam Kadoa Rhoda, CEO of the Song-ba Empowerment Center and DW's own Maxwell Suuk.

The Nigerian government says will simplify the system and boost compliance. But how will this affect businesses and citizens already stretched by rising living costs? Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Daniel Olika, a lawyer and fiscal policy analyst, and DW's Abiodun Jamiu in Nigeria.

A new wave of anti-government protests in Kenya led to scores of fatalities and hundreds of arrested this week. And, the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights says police are working with criminal gangs. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to political analyst Michael Nato and DW's Diana Wanyonyi in Mombasa.

Uganda's opposition parties are drafting a cooperation agreement ahead of a general election. They aim to unseat Yoweri Museveni, the country's president for the last 40 years. Josey Mahachi talks to Adolph Mbeine, a lecturer at Makerere University, and DW's Frank Yiga in Kampala.

Rights defenders in Kenya want more community protections for elderly women, especially in rural areas. It follows reports of old women being accused of witchcraft, denied inheritance, forced out of their marital homes, and abandoned. Josephine Mahachi speaks to DW’s Andrew Wasike and Anne Rose Chege, a social worker and rights advocate in Kenya.

Malawi’s biggest refugee camp, Dzaleka Refugee Camp, currently home to around 56,500 people, faces a bleak future as UNHCR withdraws funding and staff. What could this mean for a facility that human rights activists say is already as a source of human trafficking and crime? Josey Mahachi speaks to Jessie Chingoma, a gender and labor activist and DW's George Mhango in Blantyre.

Human rights groups say a US-backed peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo fails to hold any parties accountable for fighting that has left thousands dead. President Donald Trump touts the deal as a way to access mineral resources. Josey Mahachi speaks with political commentator Gonza Mugi and Gasominari Jean Baptiste, a Congolese lawyer living in Rwanda as a refugee.

A Malawi-based human rights body says survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) are punished instead of being protected, with little recourse to state protection from abusive partners. So why is it that laws meant to protect have become a barrier to justice? Josey Mahachi talks to Victor Mhango, executive director of CHREAA, and DW's Chimwemwe Padatha in Lilongwe.

Police fired tear gas into the streets and sealed off government buildings with barbed wire. At least 16 people were killed, according Amnesty International, and a government minister said the protests were 'terrorism disguised as dissent'. But how did this unfold? Josey Mahachi talks to analyst Martin Oloo and DW's Andrew Wasike in Nairobi.

After deadly attacks in central Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu promised support to the region and turn tragedy into prosperity. The government plans to support farmers in the bread basket region. Josey Mahachi talks to Rildwan Bello, an agriculture economist, and DW's Jamiu Abiodun in Nigeria.

During last weekend’s summit in Abuja, Nigeria, West Africa’s political and economic bloc, ECOWAS, acknowledged growing unrest and political instability in the region. ECOWAS leaders pledged to combat human trafficking, hunger and gender-based violence. Josey Mahachi speaks with Grace Yohanna, head of Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria, and DW’s Ben Shemang in Abuja.

Conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls has surged in the DRC, with over 67,000 cases reported in the first four months of 2025 alone. But major funding cuts mean health centers have run out of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) kits —vital in treatment following rape. Eddy Micah talks to Amadou Bocoum of the humanitarian NGO CARE, and DW's Jean Marie Ngong Song.

In Ghana, a new refugee agribusiness and sustainability program is hoping to empower more than 20,000 refugees to be self-reliant as countries mitigate impact of aid cuts. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Tetteh Padi, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Refugee Board, and Adwoa Domena, DW correspondent in Accra.

Activists in Kenya and the father of a man who was shot at close range by Kenyan police during a protest over the police custody death of influencer Albert Ojwang want justice. The Ojwang case has triggered a series of protests and the arrest of Nairobi police officers. DW's Eddy Micah Jr. speaks to Nyamisa Chelangat, an activist, and DW correspondent in Nairobi.

Two governors of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), along with their cabinet members and other lawmakers have abandoned the opposition and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). DW’s Eddy Micah Jr speaks to Dr. Timothy Golu, a former member of the House of Representatives and current Adviser to the Plateau State Governor, and DW’s correspondent in Abuja, Ben Shemang.

On Youth Day, South Africans honor the young people who were killed by apartheid police in Soweto on June 16, 1976. More than 500 people lost their lives in a tragedy that became a rallying point, inspiring a nation to rise up against the apartheid regime. Eddy Micah Jr. speaks with Gcotyelwa Jimlongo, programs officer at Futurelect, and DW’s Nontokozo Mchunu in Cape Town.