Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa

On Daybreak Africa: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of "further escalation" in Sudan's brutal conflict, This, after his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies agreed to form a parallel government. Plus, nearly 3.4 million people in Somalia are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. An opposition politician in the Democratic Republic of Congo was released from prison over the weekend. We’ll speak with his lawyer. Nigerians offer prayers for Pope Francis. Deadly floods in Botswana kill 9, and nearly 2,000 people are evacuated. A look at Americans’ views of the US economy after first month of Trump’s presidency. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa

Nearly 3.4 million people or 17 percent of Somalia’s population are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. This is according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system (IPC) used by the United Nations. The group defines famine as an extreme deprivation of food. It says the crisis is driven by floods, conflict, and poor rainfall. Nasir Abdi Arush, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management for the Southwest State of Somalia, tells VOA’s James Butty, that while some of the factors creating food insecurity are beyond the country’s control, the Somali government is trying to create a conducive environment for its people

The Vatican Monday said Pope Francis remains in critical condition but has shown slight improvement following laboratory tests. It said the Pope has resumed some work activities, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began. Meanwhile, Nigerian Roman Catholics and Christians of other denominations have joined people around the world to pray for Pope Francis. Mike Mbonye reports from Lagos

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the lawyer for opposition politician Jean-Marc Kabund says he believes his client was released from prison over the weekend due to pressure from Kabund’s party and the conflict in the east of the country. However, a report by Reuters quotes President Felix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson as saying Kabund received a presidential pardon. Kabund, who was once vice-president of the DRC National Assembly, was sentenced in September 2023 by the country’s Supreme Court for “insulting the head of state and the institutions of the Republic.” Lawyer Ghislain Mwanji tells VOA’s James Butty, Kabund should never have been sentenced in the first place.

Botswana authorities say at least nine people were confirmed dead Monday, as rare flooding hit the semi-arid country. More than 5,000 people have been affected by the floods as record rainfall fell over the last week. From Gaborone, Mqondisi Dube reports.

The Vatican said on Sunday that Pope Francis' condition remains "critical.” The Argentina-born pontiff is alert and continues to receive "high-flow oxygen" through a nasal medical device. Meanwhile, Christians around the world are praying for the 88-year-old's recovery. Monsignor Matthew Odong, Vicar of the Archdiocese of Gulu, in Uganda, tells VOA’s James Butty, the Catholic faithful in Uganda are also offering prayers for Pope Francis.

Pro-democracy and human rights groups in Nigeria are calling for the trial of former military strongman Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. This, after he admitted in his bombshell memoir that the controversial election of June 12, 1993, was won by businessman Moshood Abiola. Abiola died in custody after declaring himself president, sparking widespread countrywide riots that killed dozens. Frank Tietie, director Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights, tells VOA’s Chinedu Offor, the probability that Babangida will face the law is remote.

The United Nations Security Council has called on Rwanda's military to stop supporting the M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and immediately withdraw of all troops from captured territory without preconditions. Kigali denies the allegation that they are behind the rebels. The call comes as the M23 continue to capture more land while appointing a parallel administration in the eastern DRC. Moses Havyarimama reports

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi says he will hold discussions to form a unity government. The Associated Press reports the president made the call during a meeting of the ruling coalition. He gave no details on when and how. Emery Damien Kalwira, president of the new Popular Coalition government-in-exile, tells VOA’s James Butty, it is a little too late for President Tshisekedi to call for a unity government when he should have done so two years ago

Zambia’s information minister says the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) will win next year’s general elections. Cornelius Mweetwa says the party’s only concern now is the development of the country. This, after President Hakainde Hichilema carried out a major reshuffle of his government over the weekend. Critics say he did so to cover up his government’s poor performance over the last four years. Information Minister Mweetwa tells VOA’s James Butty, the reshuffle is for the good of all Zambians

On Daybreak Africa: Sudan's miliary says it has broken a siege of the crucial city of Obeid. The move restores access to a strategic area in the south-central region and strengthening crucial supply routes in its nearly two years of war against a paramilitary group. Plus, the UN Security Council calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DRC. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi wants to have discussions to form a government of national unity. We’ll have reaction. Zambian President reshuffles his cabinet with an eye on the 2026 elections. Black History Month is celebrated across the United States. Pro-democracy and human rights groups call for the trial of former Nigerian military leader Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. President Donald Trump presses for an end to Russia-Ukraine war, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is willing to step down in exchange for peace. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

On Daybreak Africa: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa opened on Thursday a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting with a call for "cooperation" amid geopolitical tensions and "rising intolerance." Plus, the US imposes sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior member of the M23 rebel group. Sudan recalls its ambassador from Nairobi to protest Kenya hosting the RSF and its allies. We’ll tell you why Zambia’s opposition Tonse Alliance is urging the government to stop the introduction of new banknotes. The US denies allegations that the United States Agency for International Development is funding Boko Haram in Nigeria. European leaders push back against claims by President Trump that Ukraine started the war with Russia. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

The United States has firmly rejected allegations that the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, is funding Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria. This followed an allegation made by a US congressman, Scott Perry, that USAID has been funding Boko haram and other international terrorist organizations. Our reporter in Abuja, Nigeria has more

A Sudanese political leader says lasting peace will only come to his country if the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) surrenders to the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. This comes as Kenya is hosting this week a meeting of the RSF and its allies that would lead to the formation of a peace and unity government. The Kenyan government said hosting the groups was the first step toward supporting peace. The French News Agency (AFP) reports that Sudan’s army-backed government recalled its ambassador from Kenya on Thursday in protest. Hussein Shingrai , foreign affairs secretary of the People’s Democratic Party of Sudan, tells VOA’s James Butty, that the RSF wants to form a government in occupied territories to further divide Sudan.

The US Treasury Department Thursday imposed sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior member of the M23 rebel group for their alleged role in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A US Treasury Department statement says Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, was being targeted because he is “central to Rwanda’s support” for the M23 militant group that it said was responsible for human rights abuses in the DRC. Also sanctioned was Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, an M23 and Congo River Alliance senior member and spokesperson, plus two of his companies registered in the United Kingdom and France. Jean Paul Ruhosha, an expert in conflict resolution and director of Congo Today, tells VOA’s Douglas Mpuga, these sanctions will not help in resolving the conflict in eastern DR

In Zambia, the opposition Tonse Alliance is urging the government to stop the introduction of new banknotes. Alliance spokesperson Sean Tembo says the design focuses on the country’s wildlife, while neglecting the country’s national heroes. Tembo tells VOA’s James Butty, the government did not consult the public before rolling out the new currency. The finance ministry says printing money is a high-security matter that cannot be handled through an open tender

A Kenyan startup business is helping people prone to power outages preserve food with solar powered refrigerators. The devices can keep food cool for up to four days without electricity, even with limited sunlight. Victoria Amunga reports from Nairobi

Analysts say Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns have been key factors behind the departure of French troops from Chad and other countries in Africa’s Sahel region. In this report from N’djamena, Chad, Henry Wilkins takes a closer look at Russia’s media strategies in the Sahel as French troops depart.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly asked Chad for military support in its effort to contain M23 rebels. According to Reuters news agency, a special envoy of President Felix Tshisekedi visited Chad this week to meet with its military leader Idris Deby Ito. Meanwhile, M23 rebels have captured Uvira, the second major city in South Kivu. This, as the African Union-led peace process led by Angola President Joao Lourenco seeks renewed energy. Veteran Angolan independent journalist Mario Paiva tells VOA’S James Butty, if the report about Chad is correct, it would be serious move toward turning the DRC conflict into an Africa-wide one

The Speaker of Malawi’s Parliament has suspended five lawmakers from attending deliberations. This, after chaos erupted when legislators accused President Lazarus Chakwera of lying to Parliament over projects completed during his four years in office. In his State of the Nation Address last Friday President Chakwera highlighted the success of various projects which opposition lawmakers say never existed. However, in his video statement released Wednesday night, Chakwera said he will clarify his comments on Friday. Lameck Masina reports from Blantyre.