Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa

On Daybreak Africa: Panic is spreading in Goma in eastern Congo as M23 rebels encircle the city, battling Congo’s army. Plus, a Zimbabwe-born professor says he is confident President Mnangagwa will not extend his term in office. There’re mixed reactions to South Sudan’s effort to shut down social media. A Gabonese pro-democracy activist says the country’s military junta hurriedly scheduled a presidential election in April. Malawi turns to Kenya for fuel supplies. President Trump pressures Russia to end the war against Ukraine, as the Kremlin shrugs off the threat of sanctions. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

A Gabonese human rights and democracy activist says the country’s military junta hurriedly scheduled an election because it wants to create an environment of stability in a country that he says is running out of money. The junta announced Thursday that presidential elections will take place April 22 to end military rule which began with the coup on April 30, 2023. However, military leader General Brice Oliqui Nguema has yet to say if he will run for president. Gabonese rights and democracy activist Franck Jocktane, tells VOA’s James Butty, the opposition is quiet having been blamed for the country’s problems prior to the military take over.

A Zimbabwe-born professor says he is confident President Emerson Mnangagwa will not extend his term in office beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms. The ruling Zanu-PF has urged the president to extend his term in office and delay the 2028 elections. The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations this week called on the president to uphold the constitution. Elliott Masocha, a professor of business and political science at DeVry University in Columbus, Ohio, tells VOA’s James Butty, President Mnangagwa will respect the constitution because he wants to be remembered as a good president who did not accept the urge to remain in power

South Sudan’s National Communications Authority ordered Facebook and TikTok to shut down for at least 30 days. This, to control misinformation following reports of Sudanese troops killing South Sudanese civilians. Some social media users in South Sudan say the shutdown will affect their personal and business communications while others say the decision will de-escalate tensions related to the reported killings in Sudan. Mamer Abraham Kuot reports for VOA from Malakal, South Sudan.

Malawi has turned to Kenya for assistance in addressing the fuel shortage it has faced over the past four months. Under its government-to-government importation deal with the United Arab Emirates, the Kenyan government has helped Malawi procure 40,000 metric tons (or about 51.5 million liters) of diesel and petrol combined from Abu Dhabi. Lameck Masina reports from Blantyre.

On Daybreak Africa: Niger’s defense minister says the junta-led West African countries of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have created a joint force that will soon be deployed in the restive Sahel region against rising extremist violence, according to the Associated Press. Plus, the new leader of Tanzania’s main opposition vows to introduce – and adhere to – term limits. Botswana closes doors on foreign teachers and truck drivers. Nigeria’s new partner status with BRICS sparks economic optimism and debate. Misinformation deepens divides in Burkina Faso. Zambia’s information minister accuses opposition parties of plotting to smear the country’s international reputation. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Botswana’s authorities say they will no longer issue work permits to foreign teachers and truck drivers to protect local jobs. Botswana’s stable economy has attracted migrant workers, the majority fleeing hardships in neighboring Zimbabwe. From Gaborone, Mqondisi Dube has the story

Nigerian authorities said this week that the nation’s new partnership status with the BRICS bloc could unlock critical opportunities in trade, investment, and agriculture. Nigeria officially became a part of the international economic and political bloc last Friday. But analysts caution that the country must address significant economic challenges to fully benefit from the potential new markets. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja

From security to politics, the spread of false information is a constant threat in Burkina Faso. Gildas Da has a look at the problem.

Tanzania’s main opposition Chadema party has elected Tundu Lissu as its chairman. Lissu served as deputy to Freeman Mbowe, who held the position for 21 years. Lissu has pledged reconciliation and the rebuilding of the party. He also says he will introduce and adhere to term limits, advocate for a new national constitution and create an independent electoral system. Lissu, the Chadema candidate in the 2020 presidential election, tells VOA’s James Butty, he will not participate in any future contests unless there are reforms

Zambia’s information minister has accused opposition political parties of plotting to smear the country’s international reputation by fabricating claims of human rights abuse. The secretary general of the main opposition Patriotic Front party, Raphael Nakacinda, wrote to the international community last week accusing the government of harassing the opposition. But Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa tells VOA’s James Butty, allegations are dirty and harmful to the progress the Zambian government is making

Conservatives across Africa are applauding U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding gender and diversity, while gay rights activists and the LGBTQ community on the continent are expressing deep concern. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja, Nigeria's capital

A new graduate level school is set to open its doors in Africa in September. It’s called the Africa School of Governance. Applications will be accepted from February 1 through April 30 this year. Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is the president of the African School of Governance which will be based in Kigali, Rwanda. He tells VOA’s James Butty, it will train leaders who have a world view of what Africa’s place should be in the world and who believe that African problems should be solved by Africans. He says the school hopes to address the continent’s challenges through ethical leadership development

More than 95 percent of the 660 000 cervical cancer cases occurring globally each year are caused by the human papillomavirus (or HPV). According to the World Health Organization, every two minutes, a woman dies from this preventable disease globally. And as countries mark Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the agency estimates that 90 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Maureen Ojiambo reports.

Former Liberian warlord-turned-Senator Prince Y. Johnson was celebrated at his funeral as a hero. Dennise Nimpson reports from Monrovia

Newly sworn in Nigeria governors are facing the realities of fulfilling campaign promises amid once in a decade economic crisis. But the Governor of Edo State Senator Monday Okpebholo said adversities present opportunities for innovative policies to create wealth and reduce poverty. Bugie Okhuemoi, Special Adviser Media and Publicity to Governor, told VOA’s Chinedu Offor, all sectors in the state are receiving attention

On Daybreak Africa: Authorities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo say M23 rebels have seized the town of Minova, a key supply route for the provincial capital, Goma. Plus, Trump’s executive orders on gender draw mixed reactions across Africa. Divided views arise over the legacy of the late former Liberian warlord and senator Prince Johnson. Cervical cancer remains common despite global efforts to reduce it. A Nigeria governor sees opportunities in economic adversity. A new graduate-level school is set to open in Rwanda in September. It’s called the Africa School of Governance. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Donald Trump called for a “revolution of common sense” in his inaugural speech Monday. The swearing in of the 47th president of the United States marked his remarkable return to power since losing his second term bid to Joe Biden in 2020. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House is sparking renewed hope and some apprehension in Africa. Christopher Isike, Director of the African Center for the study of the United States at the University of Pretoria, told VOA’s Chinedu Offor, President Trump's African policies are likely to be transactional

On Daybreak Africa: Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump calls for a ‘revolution of common sense. Plus, we’ll speak with VOA’s chief national correspondent Steve Herman for more on the inauguration. An analyst says Africa should probably expect much of the same from the now 47th US president. We’ll also hear messages from ordinary Africans to the Trump administration. Israelis and Palestinians welcome the beginning of a six-week ceasefire. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!