Africa Daily

Earlier this month, a mass grave containing 25 bodies was discovered in Malawi. Investigators there are still working to find out exactly what happened to these people. But the government believes they were Ethiopian and that it is possible that they were being trafficked. The possibility has put a spotlight on migration routes from north to southern Africa and the conditions people face along the way. People have been making similar journeys for many years though. So why are people migrating? And what is it like for those on the move? #AfricaDaily

Climate change is on people’s mind, and with the climate summit - COP27 - about to kick off in Egypt, it continues to be a hot topic. And some of the little decisions we make every day are helping to fuel the rapid climate changes. Even those that you might not give a second thought – hair, for example. Experts say synthetic hair, which is found in extensions and wigs, worn by millions around the world, harms the environment, especially in Africa where synthetic hair is big business. So today for Africa Daily podcast, Alana Kasujja is look at what impact the flowing weaves preferred by many are having on the environment and what possible solutions there are out there. He hears from consumers, experts and someone who’s trying to find a solution – Juliet Tumusiime, an entrepreneur with a hair venture - Cheveux Organique – that is making hair from banana fibre.

Famo is often described as Lesotho’s “traditional music” and is the country’s leading music genre. In recent times, rivalry among Famo artistes has led to bloodshed. Some music experts say this recent behaviour mirrors some of the US hip hop rivaly in the 1990s; the so-called East Coast v West Coast beef. Many Famo artists are divided into two warring factions, Terene and Seakhi. Terene members are known for draping their distinct yellow traditional blankets over their shoulders. Those who belong to Seakhi, prefer blue and black blankets. The two have been clashing for years, leading to the deaths of dozens of people. But what’s behind the battles? Alan Kasujja speaks to Famo’s experts and local musicians.

Travelers from African countries are more likely to need a visa to travel overseas. Lengthy applications asking for bank statements and marriage certificates can make planning a trip more difficult. But even with a visa in your hand, making it to your destination might not go smoothly. Recently high profile officials have complained of being treated poorly while trying to pass through immigration at airports. So, what’s the reality of trying to travel on an African passport?#AfricaDaily

12 months ago today the Sudanese military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, took control of the government in a military coup. The prime minister and his cabinet were arrested, the government dissolved. Sudan's economy, which had already been in crisis with high inflation and food, fuel and medicine shortages, plunged further. Thousands of civilians took to the streets to voice their opposition to the military takeover. Before the coup, military and civilian leaders had been sharing power in a transitional government. This union was fragile and had been formed after mass protests in 2019, which eventually led to the end of President Omar al-Bashir’s rule. So today Alan Kasujja has been looking at how much has changed in Sudan since the military coup in 2021.

In Uganda it’s not unusual to send children to boarding school – in a tradition that dates back to colonial times. But now a Professor of Psychiatry, Professor Seggane Musisi, has spoken out against boarding schools – warning he’s seeing more children reporting mental health problems like depression and suicidal thoughts because of overwork and tiredness. Many schools get children up at 4 or 5am to start lessons early – and Professor Musisi says some students report being got out of bed at 2am. Another concern he raises is bullying by both children and staff. So should Uganda take another look at its boarding school system – and the welfare of the children who go through it? Alan Kasujja – himself a boarder from the age of 9 – gets the thoughts of both experts and students.

In Uganda it’s not unusual to send children to boarding school – in a tradition that dates back to colonial times. But now a Professor of Psychiatry, Professor Seggane Musisi, has spoken out against boarding schools – warning he’s seeing more children reporting mental health problems like depression and suicidal thoughts because of overwork and tiredness. Many schools get children up at 4 or 5am to start lessons early – and Professor Musisi says some students report being got out of bed at 2am. Another concern he raises is bullying by both children and staff. So should Uganda take another look at its boarding school system – and the welfare of the children who go through it? Alan Kasujja – himself a boarder from the age of 9 – gets the thoughts of both experts and students.

Félix Tshisekedi is President of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s a country known to be one of the lungs of the world, but also wracked by conflict. The president sat down with the BBC’s Victoria Uwonkunda after more than three years in office. He recognises that DR Congo’s natural habitat is vital to the world’s environment. But he says it would be unfair to those in his country living in poverty not to use its natural resources. He explains why he doesn’t want Rwanda to be part of the fight against M23 militants. And says that relations with President Paul Kagame are still cold. Everybody needs time to relax. So, who does President Tshisekedi support on the football field? #AfricaDaily

A few years ago, Africa was tantalising close to eliminating Meningitis type A - thanks to vaccination campaigns which started from 2010 onwards. But the World Health Organization says the Covid-19 pandemic delayed vaccinations for more than 50 million children across the continent - which means a heightened risk of outbreaks of the disease next year.So – in a race against time, the organisation is frantically campaigning to implement vaccination before the start of the meningitis season in January 2023.But what exactly is meningitis and how does it affect people? Alan Kasujja speaks to one man about his terrifying experience of suffering from the killer disease – as well as doctors about what’s being done. #AfricaDaily

Seasonal flooding is not uncommon in Nigeria, but this year has been the worst for a decade. At least 27 out of the 36 states have been affected. More than 600 people have died and more than a million have been displaced. There are now fears that the disaster could impact food security at a time when the country is already going through a cost of living crisis. #Africa Daily

Although Africa has been dealing with HIV/AIDS for more than thirty years, sometimes the statistics are still arresting. A report recently published by the United Nations suggests that a young woman is infected every two minutes on the continent. More than that, they are three times more likely than young men aged between 15-24 to acquire the virus.The world has come a long way over the decades in the battle against HIV, with more knowledge and tools to prevent its spread than ever before. So why are young women still so vulnerable? And what can be done to help them protect themselves? #AfricaDaily

Power cuts. They’re the bane of most South Africans’ lives… and a massive political headache due to their disruptive, ongoing and frustrating nature. The causes are myriad: including ageing infrastructure, faulty power plants and deliberate sabotage. But where there are challenges there are always entrepreneurs ready to take advantage, and many new businesses are springing up – providing solutions based on technologies like solar power and inverters, which store electricity the same way a mobile phone power bank does. For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja takes a look at those finding light – and business opportunities – amongst the blackouts.

There’s a World Cup in Qatar. Yes, the one everybody already knows about – the FIFA World Cup. But there’s another one happening now with less known names and stars. The Street Child World Cup 2022. It happens every 4 years and takes place ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which this year kicks off in November in Doha. The Street Child World Cup aims to highlight the conditions of children living on the streets across the world, raising awareness of the dangers of sexual and physical violence they may face. This year there are 28 teams, representing 24 countries, among which seven are African; Burundi, Egypt, Mauritius, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. To understand more about the Street Child World Cup, Alan Kasujja has been chatting with Victoria Uwonkunda who’s been following this tournament and who’s spoken to two young people taking part in Doha. 17-year old Burundian Cedrick Iramboma and 15-year old Ruth Chantel James from Zimbabwe.

Burkina Faso has been in political turmoil in 2022, with two coups since the beginning of the year. But while attention has been on political manoeuvres in the capital, a crisis has been quietly building in the north of the country. The town of Djibo has become the focus of a jihadist insurgency that has been developing since 2015. People there have found their town blockaded and largely cut off from the rest of the country. When a convoy was attacked on route from the capital Ouagadougou recently, it cut off one of the only sources of food and supplies. Now more than 200,000 people are relying on air drops to keep going? But is enough support reaching them? #AfricaDaily

During the last election, 44 % of seats in Senegal’s parliament were occupied by women, making it the parliament with the largest percentage of women in West Africa. Amongst the countries with the lowest number of women represented- under 15%- are The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Benin and Sierra Leone. And according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Nigeria, has just 13 women amongst 360 members of its House of Representatives. So what’s stopping more women in West Africa from getting involved in politics? To understand the challenges, Alan Kasujja spoke to three women from Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia about their political careers.

Kenya has recently lifted a ban on the cultivation and import of genetically modified goods. The country is facing the worst droughts for 40 years and there are concerns that millions could be at risk of food insecurity. These GMO’s - genetically modified organisms - are species that have been scientifically altered in a lab to achieve a specific result…such as drought resistant maize. But they are currently only approved in eight countries on the continent. And some people have concerns that they might not be a sustainable solution for farmers.#AfricaDaily

In September the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (GMDC) told students who had been studying in Ukraine that their studies were at risk of being rejected. In the letter, the body said any medical and dental degrees from Ukraine from 2022 will “not be honoured forthwith by the Medical and Dental Council, Ghana, until when normal academic activities resume”. This sent waves among the hundreds of students who had been in Ukraine and who had stopped their normal schooling because of the Russian invasion. One of them is Nana Agyemang, whom we first spoke to in March on the day he landed back home in Ghana after fleeing the war. Seven months on, his and other students’ futures are in limbo as the GMDC reassesses their papers for possible reintegration into the Ghanaian system. Alan Kasujja has been speaking to Nana, his father Major Dr Ebenezer Kwakye Agyemang to hear how they feel about this decision. He’s also been hearing from Ghana Medical and Dental Council registrar, Dr Divine Banyubala to find out how they came to that decision.

For the best part of this year, the Kwacha, Zambia's currency has been doing exceptionally well. Some economists have described it as among the best performing currencies against the dollar. This might not be good news for exports, which will be more expensive to buy in other countries. But it has been welcomed by Zambians who are paying lower prices for food and services than this time last year. So, while many countries around the world are facing a cost of living crisis, is Zambia managing to buck the trend? #AfricaDaily

BaSotho are heading to the polls on Friday in an election that will choose the next prime minister. The country of just two million people will chose between more than 60 political parties hoping to gain power.It has been a rocky decade in Lesotho’s politics.The coalition government formed in 2012 was challenged when Prime Minister Tom Thabane fled the country claiming to be the target of a coup.The Southern Africa Development Community had to intervene when two law enforcement agencies were found to show favour to political parties. There have been multiple leaders since then.So, can Friday’s election help to restore political stability?#AfricaDaily

WARNING: This episode contains description of violence and death which some people may find distressing. “There could have been a dissenting voice saying no, no, no – don’t do that. Nigeria is a place where people don’t seem to have value for human life”. Ten years ago, the deaths of four young men – who became known as the ‘Aluu 4’ – shocked Nigeria, after they were viewed by thousands of people on a viral video. The men, in their late teens and early twenties, had been falsely accused of theft. After a mock trial they were brutally beaten and killed. The families of the men have been speaking to the BBC about their memories of that time – and their subsequent fight for justice. Despite mass calls for change at the time of the deaths, ten years on similar killings are still taking place - with more than 200 such deaths in the last three years. So can anything be done to change the culture? Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@Alan Kasujja) Reporter: Nduka Orjinmo (@ndukaorjinmo)

Burkina Faso is no stranger to coups. It’s had seven military takeovers since its independence from France in 1960.On September 30, a group of junior soldiers toppled a fellow military ruler in Burkina Faso.Announcing their takeover on national television, the putschists accused Lt. Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba of failing to quell jihadist attacks in the country. Damiba had been in charge since he and the military toppled President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in January. This time the interim leader is 34-year-old Ibrahim Traoré. So, two coups in just eight months, with both leaders claiming to want to sort out the issues in Burkina Faso, but clearly not finding the right solution. Just yet. Alan Kasujja is asking whether Burkina Faso can solve its political instability. He’s been speaking to Burkinabé journalist Ouézen Louis Oulon and Niagalé Bagayoko, a security expert on the Sahel region.

When Alan visited Johannesburg in July, the city was reeling after a mass shooting at tavern in Soweto. Sixteen people were killed by gunmen while socialising with their friends. It a spotlight on increasing violence at drinking spots across the country. That month 25 people died in such incidents. Last week, five people appeared in court in relation to the shooting in Soweto. But the people Alan spoke to at a tavern nearby said they had little confidence that the police could keep them safe. Is that the case?

In the early 2000s, African Union members adopted what is known as the Yamoussoukro Decision. The treaty was designed to open up air transport between African countries by promoting fair competition among airlines. However, World Bank says this hasn’t really taken off, as African countries are still restricting their markets to prefer state owned carriers. But now, South Africa seems to be taking a different approach. Not only is it opening up its skies to fellow African airlines, it’s even striking deals with foreign carriers like Air Belgium. Is this the start of a fresh approach to air travel? And could open skies help body African economies?#AfricaDaily

Uganda is facing an Ebola outbreak which has reportedly infected more than twenty people. And five people have died since the virus was detected last week. The association of medical workers in Uganda has called for the affected region - Mubende - to be quarantined. But on Wednesday evening, President Museveni said quarantines were not being considered as part of the response. He tried to reassure Ugandans that the government will be able to stop the virus spreading, citing experience gained with previous outbreaks. So, can Uganda contain its Ebola outbreak?

The United Nations Security Council is tasked with ensuring international peace and security. It has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It also has 10 other members who are elected on a regional basis for a term of two years, and among those there at the moment representing Africa are Gabon, Ghana and Kenya. At the recent UN General Assembly – UNGA – among the many topics that were discussed, the question about having a seat on a permanent basis for Africa – which is the only world regions that’s not represented permanently - was raised. Today Alan Kasujja is asking why doesn’t Africa have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. He’s been speaking with Professor Carlos Lopes, who’s held various UN roles over the years, including policy director for former and late Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He’s professor in the Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

Content warning: This podcast includes vivid descriptions of the sinking of the Joola which some listeners might find distressing. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Twenty years ago, news of terrible event began to spread throughout the city of Ziguinchor in the south of Senegal. A passenger ferry – carrying more than 1,800 people from Casamance to the capital Dakar in the north – had gone down in a storm with the loss of almost everyone on board. Amongst the dead were 444 children. Just about everyone in the small city knew someone who’d died. In the months and years that followed enquiries blamed a number of shortcomings including overcrowding and a lack of safety measures and radio equipment to call for help. But despite the scale of the disaster – with hundreds more deaths than in the Titanic – those affected say they now feel abandoned and forgotten. They want the boat – and the remains of their loved ones - to be raised from the seabed. Now a BBC documentary has heard from two of the just 64 people who survived – as well as from those who lost family members. Victoria Uwonkunda spoke to Efrem Gebreab, one of the documentary's producers, for Africa Daily – and listens to some of the testimonies of those affected. ‘The Joola: Africa’s Titanic’ can be seen on BBC Africa Youtube. Producers: Efrem Gebreab, Wahany Sambou and Frederic Tendeng. Director: Nicky Milne Camera: John Wendle

Within ten days of being sworn in as Kenya’s 5th president, William Ruto found himself attending two of the largest global events this year with other heads of state - Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) - a gathering of leaders and NGOs and activists alike in the US state of New York.Away from the glitzy streets of New York and the UN, loads await the new president back home. A struggling economy, now made worse with the cost of living crisis, unemployment is still a struggle for many and these are some of the top issues President Ruto and his government have to tackle. Away from the big tasks at hand, there’s also that now infamous fallout between him and his former boss Uhuru Kenyatta, who snubbed him and instead supported another candidate during the election. So when Alan Kasujja sat down with him in New York during the UNGA to find out what Kenya’s new president, William Samoei Ruto, has been up to in his first couple of weeks in charge, there was plenty to talk about.

Mahmood Mattan was born in 1923 and was a young man when he left his home in Hargeisa, in what later became Somaliland, to live in Cardiff in Wales. He settled in a community called Tiger Bay, worked as a seaman, got married and had three children. In 1952 he was accused of murdering Lily Volpert, a local businesswoman. He was found guilty and executed by hanging in prison. For years Mahmood Mattan’s family maintained his innocence and his conviction was quashed in 1998. Last week, 70 years after Mahmood Mattan’s execution, South Wales police apologised and admitted the prosecution was "flawed". In today’s Africa Daily, Victoria Uwonkunda has been finding out more about the life and death of Mahmood Mattan from Danielle Fahiya, the presenter/producer of a new BBC podcast called Mattan: Injustice of a Hanged Man.

When former journalist, Joseph Bayanga, witnessed the death of three generations of a family on a Kampala road - a mother, daughter and grandchild – he decided enough was enough. More people die on Uganda’s roads – 14 every day – than anywhere else in East Africa.Kampala’s Mulago National Referral Hospital even has a special ward just for the drivers of boda bodas who account for the highest number of deaths. Boda bodas are the motorbike taxis which weave precariously through the traffic at every junction with one, two or even three passengers on their backs. So Joe reinvented himself as a road safety campaigner ‘Joe Walker’ and walked 340 km in just 10 days from Kampala to his home town of Bushenyi to raise awareness on the subject.For Africa Daily Alan Kasujja takes a drive round Kampala’s roads with Joe and asks: can anything be done to make Uganda’s roads safer?Presenter: Alan Kasujja @kasujja Guest: Joe Beyanga @akeda4

Tanzania’s Information Minister Nape Nnauye has warned against the dissemination of online messages, cartoons and short videos which he claims promote same-sex relationships. He said anyone posting such messages risked prosecution. And it’s not just Tanzania. In Kenya and Uganda gay people have been harassed, bullied and threatened online. In today’s Africa Daily, Ferdinand Omondi speaks to James, Executive Director of LGBT Voice Tanzania and Frank Mugisha, a Human Rights advocate in Uganda whose fight for rights of the LGBTQ community earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

Across Africa, if you ask people how they plan to improve the lives of their children, the answer is often ‘through education’. But what about if the school system isn’t set up for how their brain works?We now know that dyslexic brains work differently to those of other people – with more activity in the frontal lobe and less in other areas. This means people with the condition can struggle with reading, writing, spelling and memory. They can be punished for not trying and for perceived laziness.But in reality, it isn’t a choice and doesn’t mean they lack intelligence – and they are actually better in some areas, like thinking visually.So in today's Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) speaks to Philip Ogola (@PhilipOgola) who was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult and is now campaigning for better understanding - and to Phyllis Munyi-Kariuki, the Director of Dyslexia Organisation-Kenya and asks: how can people with dyslexia be better supported?

Later today world leaders will gather at Westminster Abbey in London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully on Thursday the 8th of September.Last week on this podcast, Alan held robust discussions with different guests and interrogated the queen’s legacy in Africa. He also heard – in passing – about the very special relationship she shared with the former South African president Nelson Mandela. Queen Elizabeth visited South Africa in 1995, a year after independence. So we thought it would be appropriate, today, to hear more about their friendship. Mpho Lakaje speaks with two key people from President Mandela’s close circle, his chief bodyguard Rory Steyn and his personal assistant Zelda Le Gange, and gets their memories of the times the Queen met Madiba.

Last month Emirates Airlines announced it was halting flights to Nigeria – saying it was owed millions of dollars. The plight of passengers suddenly forced to find creative and expensive ways to travel thousands of miles grabbed the world’s attention – and within days of the crisis, Nigeria said it would release some of the money owed to foreign airlines: $265 million. But the reason WHY the airline took the drastic step actually highlights a more widespread problem for Nigeria: a shortage of dollars to pay for foreign services – and two competing exchange rates: the official rate and what Nigerians can get on the black market. This has left the Central Bank of Nigeria – or CBN – technically subsidising travellers – and foreign companies being underpaid for their services. For Africa Daily, @kasujja speaks with Oluwatosin Olaseinde, an account and money expert who set up Money Africa, a financial literacy platform. “You’re seeing a higher cost of living, you’re seeing a reduction in the revenue of the government, so it’s just a whole lot of different (elements) mixed together in this dance.”

It’s been a big week for Kenya’s new president William Ruto. On Tuesday he was sworn in and immediately started reversing some of his predecessor’s policies. Straight after the ceremony he appointed six new judges – who’d been rejected by the former president Uhuru Kenyatta. He also announced that operations would revert back to the port of Mombasa. So what will his presidency mean for Kenyans and the surrounding region? Alan Kasujja speaks with International Relations analyst, Dr. Adhere Cavince, and Sylvanus Wekesa, an expert on African leadership.

Tanzania’s government is now preparing to build a Liquefied Natural Gas plant to process its vast natural gas. This comes after President Samia Suluhu Hassan said her administration had attracted $30 billion in foreign investment. Once it’s been liquified, the gas which forms naturally underground over many years, is expected to be exported to countries in Europe and Asia. The government say this will create thousands of jobs and help to ease some of the financial burdens on Tanzanians who’ve been dealing with hikes in fuel prices. In April prices across the nation hit a new record high. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Modestus Lumato and Salum Awadh

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96, African leaders lined up to pay tribute. After all, her passion for the continent, and dedication to the Commonwealth were both clear to see. But because of her role as a figurehead of a former colonial power, many Africans have found the tributes difficult. For them, processing her death is far more complicated. So how is the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II seen across the continent? Alan Kasujja discusses the subject with BBC Monitoring’s Beverly Ochieng and Professor of history, Macharia Munene.

Queen Elizabeth II was actually Princess Elizabeth when she first visited Africa with her parents. And she was in Kenya – staying in the famous Treetops hotel – when the news of her father’s death arrived and she became queen.During the 70 years that followed she visited the continent many times and shook the hands of countless African leaders.But what was it like to actually meet the queen in person?For Africa Daily @Kasujja speaks to the former president of Botswana, Ian Khama, and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, who share their memories. “He announced me as the President of Zimbabwe… she said to me ‘don’t worry about that introduction, he’s new and I think he just got overwhelmed by the occasion’… She knew I wasn’t the President of Zimbabwe, she knew who I was. She made a nice, pleasant excuse for him”.

Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. Her 70- year reign ran parallel with significant events in Africa. At the time of her coronation, she became the ruler of 14 territories across Africa, as part of the British Empire. And her decades on the throne were a period of immense change. One after another, each African country became independent and took their own path in the world. So, who was Queen Elizabeth to Africa? And what did her life and reign mean for the continent? #AfricaDaily

Edward Enninful is the editor in chief of British Vogue, a magazine which is revered in the world of fashion. He was appointed in 2017 and became the first black man to do the job. He sits in the front row of catwalk shows from the world’s biggest designers – Dolce and Gabbana, Versace and Armani. Beyonce, Rihanna and Oprah Winfrey are close friends. But despite the glitz and glamour of the circles he moves in now, he had a very humble beginning. He came to UK as a refugee from Ghana when he was 13 years old. Now he’s telling his story in a new memoir - A Visible Man. His interview with Alan Kasujja contains discussion of violence that some people might find disturbing.#AfricaDaily

Africa is the most entrepreneurial continent according to the African Development Bank. And sometimes it seems like everyone is talking about starting a business or a side hustle. But starting a business and having it succeed are two separate things. As many as 80% of new businesses fail due to lack of funding according to investment advisors Shikana Group. So, are new businesses getting the funding they need? And what can entrepreneurs do to make sure their venture attracts investment?#AfricaDaily

Kenya’s election process has concluded with the Supreme Court declaring that William Ruto was duly elected as the country’s 5th president. Mr Ruto will be sworn in on 13th January after the Supreme Court dismissed the election petition submitted by his main opponent, Raila Odinga. Raila lost even though he was backed by the outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta, who has promised a smooth transition to his deputy, Ruto. What lessons can Africa gain from Kenya’s hotly contested, yet most peaceful election process to date? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja Guests: Beverly Ochieng (@BeverlyOchieng) Sylvanus Wekesa (@SylWekesa)

One year ago Guineans poured into the street to celebrate the ousting of Alpha Conde in a military coup. The increasingly unpopular president had changed the constitution to allow himself a third term – and had put down protests against him with a heavy hand. So many members of the main opposition grouping which had organised the protests – the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution, or FNDC – joined the celebrations.But fast-forward a year and the FNDC has been banned by the military junta – and many of its leaders arrested. It’s called on people to come out today – Monday 5th September – to mark the one year anniversary of the coup – and urge a faster handover to civilian rule.Meanwhile the leader of the coup – and the current military government – Colonel Mamady Doumbouya failed to give an expected address to the nation on Sunday night. Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) discusses Guinea’s turbulent year with the BBC’s Alhassan Silla, who’s been reading the mood on the street in Conakry.

Many people across the continent rely on generators when the electricity supply is unreliable in their countries. Blackouts or planned loadshedding have become common in Zimbabwe and South Africa, leaving families without power for hours at a time. But neighbouring Botswana is hoping to change all of that. Botswana Power Corporation – the state owned energy provider – has been working to generate additional power for some time. And the government in Gaborone is hoping to sell it to neighbouring countries. So, could this be a mutually beneficial arrangement for countries in southern Africa? #Africa Daily

Correction: We re-uploaded this episode to clarify the $1.5 trillion mentioned in the conversation was China's global loans, not just to Africa. At a recent summit attended by African officials, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China would be forgiving 23 of its loans to 17 African countries. But it’s worth pointing out that these were debts that were at zero interest.According to data from the Global Development Policy Center, China has lent Africa as much as $160 billion.Much of this money has gone into building infrastructure, such as airports, roads and sea ports.But analysts have raised the alarm, saying there’s a looming debt crisis if the continent continues to borrow this heavily from China. So amid the ongoing economic crisis sweeping through the world, what does this relationship with China and a large debt profile mean for Africa?Alan Kasujja has been speaking with Zawadi Mudibo, the BBC Africa Business Editor to make sense of this relationship.

More than 21,000 members have graduated into a united armed forces in South Sudan. Many of the troops previously belonged to rival factions, but on Tuesday they pledged allegiance to their country rather than a single leader. The peace agreement signed in 2018 required all fighters to lay down their arms and join a united state army. But the deadline for this has been extended many times. A joint transitional government was formed in 2020, with plans to hold elections in December, but these have also been postponed until 2024. So, what does the achievement of a united armed forces mean for the country?#AfricaDaily

Since March this year there’s been a humanitarian truce in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia - and so the 22-month conflict has slipped down the international news agenda. But for those who have relatives within the region it’s been a painful time due to lack of access to their loved ones or news about their welfare. Financial services have been blocked – and an internet and phone blackout imposed. During the conflict, tens of thousands of civilians have died, with the World Food Programme saying that almost half of Tigray's 5.5m population is in "severe" need of food. But now the truce has been broken – with reports of air strikes and increased fighting. So why is this happening now – and what does it mean for ongoing efforts at peace talks between the warring parties? Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)

A single dose of vaccine can give children strong protection against Measles.But low vaccination rates in Manicaland in eastern Zimbabwe has led to an outbreak there in which nearly 160 children have died – and many more have become seriously ill.The government and medical experts say they believe the source of the outbreak may have been a mass gathering of a local religious sect which discourages people from going to hospital. They also say the emphasis on fighting Covid-19 over the last two years meant a previous vaccination drive fizzled out. Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)

Africa has had more UN peacekeeping missions than any other region in the world.Today more than fifty thousand troops are deployed with UN operations on the continent.Despite this, violence still continues in some of these areas and in some places, there is anger over the UN's continued presence.Just last month, anti-UN protests erupted in Goma and Butembo, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, when citizens accused the UN of failing to contain violence by armed groups. While in Mali, UN troop rotations were suspended for a month after the government arrested 49 soldiers from Ivory Coast, saying they had arrived in the country without permission. Ivory Coast said the soldiers were part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. So, what is the future of UN peacekeeping in Africa? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)Guests: Dr. Cedric de Coning, a research professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and Senior Advisor at the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes and Dr. Yvan Yenda Ilunga, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Salve Regina University.

“It’s quite challenging, because some people have been here and they were not going home…. And there are no jobs in Zimbabwe.” Yesterday Africa Daily spoke to some of the Zimbabweans affected by a decision to end the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit scheme by December this year. The permits allowed nearly 180,000 migrants to live, work and study in South Africa – but from now on they will need to prove they possess critical skills that are needed in the country – meaning unqualified workers will not be able to stay. Many of them have been in the country for 12 or more years. In this second part of a two-part series, Alan Kasujja finds out more about the court challenge that has now been brought, in a bid to reverse the government’s decision. He also speaks to a spokesperson for Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF about what’s being done to give Zimbabweans opportunities back in their own country – so they don’t need to look to other countries for work.

“The future now doesn’t look so bright for us.”Thousands of Zimbabweans – many who’ve lived in South Africa for the last decade – are facing mass deportation when the government ends a special permit scheme at the end of this year. Nearly 180,000 people are legally working or studying in the country thanks to their Zimbabwe Exemption Permits. But the documents are now being terminated – with migrants having to prove they possess critical skills that are needed in the country before they are allowed to stay. For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to some of the people who are now facing an uncertain future, in this first podcast of two on the subject.Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)