Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa

On Daybreak Africa: President Biden says campus protesters have the right to demonstrate – but not to cause violence. Plus, British authorities begin detaining migrants for transfer to Rwanda. Friday is World Press Freedom Day. A Uganda journalist discusses the struggle by media houses for viability in the age of digital information. A US House Committee asks the Speaker to invite Kenyan President William Ruto to address a joint session of Congress. Liberian President Boakai signs an Executive Order establishing the office a War and Economic Crimes Court in the country. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

British authorities said this week that they have begun detaining migrants in preparation for them to be sent to Rwanda in the next nine to 11 weeks --- in a move that's part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's flagship immigration policy. Yasmine Ahmed, United Kingdom Director for Human Rights Watch, tells VOA’s Carol Van Dam, sending asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda is a violation of human rights

Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Thursday signed an executive order establishing the office of a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. This, after both houses of the legislature passed resolutions to establish the court and bring about justice and reconciliation for crimes committed during Liberia’s long civil war. Addressing the nation Thursday, the president said the executive order signifies his government’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.

At least 71 journalists and media workers were killed in 2023. This is according to the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights which says only 13 percent of murder cases have been investigated. And as the international community marks World Press Freedom Day today journalists in African countries are facing challenges when it comes to media freedom with Eritrea being among the countries making it hard for journalists to carry out their duties. Maureen Ojiambo report

The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has put in a formal request to Speaker Mike Johnson to invite Kenyan President William Ruto to address a joint session of the Congress. President Ruto is scheduled to visit the United States on an official state visit on May 23, 2024, the first time in two decades that an African president has been accorded a state visit in the US. VOA’s Douglas Mpuga has the details.

Friday is World Press Freedom Day. It was established by UNESCO in 1991 to highlight the vital role of a free, independent, and diverse press to democracy. The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environment Crisis. Daniel Kalinaki, chairperson of the Uganda Editors Guild, tells VOA’s James Butty, while Uganda does not currently have journalists in jail, media houses are contending with the issue of viability in the wake of the threat from digitalizing information to readers.

On Daybreak Africa: The United States resolves to find an end to Sudan’s civil war. Plus, South Africa’s MK party faces voter forgery allegations. A new generation leads the charge to stop hate speech from spreading in Rwanda. A Guinean Imam vows to hold prayers in his local Mandingo Language. Liberian President Joseph Boakai reports on his first 100 days in office. Experts warn that un-exploded landmines pose a threat in African nations and others around the world. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai's first 100 days' accomplishments are being criticized by the former ruling party the Coalition for Democratic Change, which is now the leading opposition party. Dennise Nimpson reports from Monrovia

The national spokesperson for South Africa’s Umkhonto we Sizwe, or MK Party, says it is the victim of a fraudster. This, as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is investigating if the MK forged some of the 15,000 signatures required to register for the May 29 general elections. The MK has survived several court battles since it was revealed that former President Jacob Zuma could be the its presidential candidate. Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela tells VOA’s James Butty, the party found out that the so-called whistle blower is a disgruntled volunteer whose request to represent the MK as parliamentary candidate was denied.

In Guinea Conakry, an Islamic imam has been released from prison after serving a five-month term. He was arrested and sentenced for leading prayers in his native language, Madingo. Despite his jail sentence and pressure from the Guinean Islamic Council, the imam has vowed to continue leading prayers in his local language. Islamic scholars in Guinea say his practice is an abomination, an accusation he describes as unfounded. Reporter Karim Kamara has more from Conakry

On Daybreak Africa: Botswana’s diamond industry gets a boost amid global uncertainty. Plus, the United Kingdom sanctions the speaker of Uganda’s parliament and two other lawmakers for alleged corruption. Corruption's grip on road infrastructure slows Malawi's development. Togo’s opposition says Monday’s election did not go well when it comes to transparency and participation. Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza petitions the East Africa Court of Justice to restore her civil liberties. South Africa prepares to end captive-bred lion hunting. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

A member of a Togolese diaspora coalition says Monday’s parliamentary election, when taken from the perspective of participation and transparency, did not go well. The government says that the vote was free and fair, and without violence. Results are expected anytime this week. Brigitte Akouvi Ameganvi, a member of the Board of Synergie-Togo, a Togolese diaspora organization based in Europe, tells VOA’s James Butty that election authorities denied accreditation to the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace and other local election observer groups

Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza has petitioned the East Africa Court of Justice to restore her civil liberties which were taken away by the government, including the right to participate in the July 2024 election. Ingabire has been denied participation in the polls because she has been convicted and imprisoned. However, she said she had also been pardoned by President Paul Kagame. Ingabire Umuhoza tells VOA’s James Butty, she wants the court to act quickly to restore her rights to travel and participate in any election.

The United Kingdom government has sanctioned the speaker of Uganda’s parliament, Anita Among, and two lawmakers under its anti-corruption laws, according to official documents published on Tuesday. The document alleges that Among and the other two lawmakers, Mary Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, former ministers for the Karamoja region, will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes under the UK's Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime. The two are accused of having stolen thousands of iron sheets from a government-funded housing project aimed at helping vulnerable communities in Karamoja. VOA’s Douglas Mpuga reached Cissy Kagaba, a lawyer, and the former Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda for her reaction to these sanction

South Africa's treatment of its big cats has long tarnished its reputation for conservation, from allowing captive-bred lion hunting to selling lion bones to East Asia for their purported "medicinal" qualities. But now, the country is ending all that. Kate Bartlett reports from LIONSROCK Sanctuary in Free State province.

Economic and accountability bodies in Malawi are urging the government to address flaws in the public procurement system. A 2021 Malawi Assurance Report on Public Infrastructure Projects suggests pervasive corruption in Malawi’s public sector. The construction industry is particularly affected. Chimwemwe Padatha has this story from Lilongwe

On Daybreak Africa: Dozens are killed as a dam bursts in Kenya following devastating rains. Plus, the Nigerian community in South Africa calls for an investigation into what it calls the indiscriminate arrest of its members. Good governance activists say South Africa’s corruption whistleblowers should be protected. A Ugandan parliamentarian defends the government’s human rights record. Vote counting continues overnight in Togo following Monday’s election for parliament and regional representatives. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the unconditional release of an Ethiopia reporter. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

Martha Ngoye was the legal executive at the South African state-owned Passenger Rail Agency when she blew the whistle on unlawful government contracts worth millions. But instead of being honored as a corruption buster she was fired by her employer and faced a lengthy and costly legal battle to get her job back. Martha’s experience highlights the challenges faced by whistle-blowers in South Africa. Ihsaan Haffejee has this reports

The Nigerian community in South Africa is calling for investigation into what it calls the indiscriminate arrest of its members some of whom allegedly died during routine police raids at their homes and businesses. Doris Ikeri Solarin is the President of the Nigerian Union of South Africa. She told VOA’s Chinedu Offor that a recent meeting with a regional police chief was meant to de-escalate growing tension among the immigrant community and law enforcement agencies.

Vote counting continued in Togo overnight following Monday’s election for members of parliament and regional representatives. Analysts say the outcome of the vote would likely be a referendum on a controversial constitutional reform adopted this month which allows the parliament to elect the president as opposed to a direct election by voters. President Faure Gnassingbe’s ruling Union for the Republic party already has a majority of seats in parliament, which makes it likely he will remain in power for an unforeseeable period. Gilbert Bawara, Togolese minister for civil service, labor, and social dialogue, tells VOA’s James Butty, voting went on smoothly on Monday under the watchful eye of local and international observers.