Spotlight on Africa
An in-depth look at an important story affecting the African continent today.
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Spotlight on Africa Ethiopia's triple threat against locusts Ethiopia is currently battling one of its worst locust invasions since 1958. But since then, the country has rolled out a defence system to make sure damage is minimal across the country. Find out more in this edition of Spotlight on Africa.20/02/2020 18:29 -
Spotlight on Africa Searching for answers, 15 years after Ghanaians murdered in Gambia In Accra, a new documentary out this January sheds light on the 2005 murders of 56 West Africans in The Gambia – most of them Ghanaians. In I cannot Bury My Father, director Nana-Jo Ndow explores the lack of closure – and the lack of information – the families of the victims were given. RFI speaks to Ndow and Isaac Mensah, one of the sons of the victims, who are looking for the remains of their parents – and looking for answers.22/01/2020 09:52
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Spotlight on Africa UN General Assembly president calls for respect for diversity while promoting shared values The Paris Peace Forum is now underway with around 30 heads of state and leaders of civil society meeting to promote global peace. French President Emmanuel Macron opened the forum on Tuesday by saying that the global political system was in "unprecedented crisis", and called for new kinds of alliances to help solve problems.United Nations General Assembly President Tijani Muhammad-Bande spoke to RFI on the sidelines of the forum in Paris, and he expressed similiar sentiments, calling for respect of diversity while promoting shared universal values.13/11/2019 10:27
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Spotlight on Africa France's Africa Ambition The time to invest in Africa is now. That was the message hammered home at last week’s France-Africa business summit, which saw the French government position itself as a new investment hub for the continent. Yet, many French companies still shy away from African markets and bilateral trade has fallen. Can France make up for lost time with China and reclaim its status as Africa’s main European trading partner? And if so, on what terms? RFI’s Christina Okello reports.06/11/2019 11:00
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Spotlight on Africa Can France’s minorities learn from US slavery struggle? In August, America marked 400 years since the arrival of the first Africans in 1619, which started the institution of slavery. In France, observers are questioning whether there are lessons to be learned for France’s African community.04/10/2019 13:24
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Spotlight on Africa Black model art show challenges France's colour blindness A recent Paris exhibition honouring forgotten black models of modern art has shone a spotlight on black identity in a society where race remains a controversial subject.16/09/2019 14:06
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Spotlight on Africa What's behind Macron's courting of the African diaspora? France has recently made overtures to the African diaspora, inviting them to be the bridge between France and their countries of origin. Critics say it's a move to regain a foothold in the former colonies. But France's African community could leverage its influence to ask for recognition at home.20/07/2019 10:51
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Spotlight on Africa Teenage flight of fancy from Cape Town to Cairo A group of 20 teenagers are set to make aviation history when they fly a light aircraft from Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo in Egypt on 15 June.Together they will fly the length of the continent, covering over 10,000 kilometres in a plane they assembled themselves.Seventeen-year-old Megan Werner was behind the initiative, and founded U-Dream Global, an aviation outreach initiative that fosters “visionary thinking” to inspire young people to pursue their dreams.Speaking from Johannesburg, Megan explains more about this project to RFI.31/05/2019 10:12
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Spotlight on Africa Rwanda's challenging road to reconciliation In the 25 years since the Rwandan genocide, the country has emerged to become one of Africa’s success stories. Its remarkable recovery has stemmed from efforts towards nation-building. But some critics argue this bid for ethnic reconciliation is far from complete. In this week’s Spotlight on Africa, RFI's Christina Okello travels to Kigali to explore how Rwanda has dealt with the trauma of its past.21/04/2019 10:36
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Spotlight on Africa One month on, Chadian diaspora still angry over French air strikes Chadians living in France and Germany have been demonstrating against French air strikes supporting Chad’s longtime autocratic ruler, Idriss Deby. The strikes on 3 February were intended to prevent an armed group from Libya from toppling the president. Instead, they have sparked familiar accusations of French interference in African politics.French authorities have defended the strikes against Chadian rebels, insisting that it was Deby himself who invited them in.But is Paris overstepping the mark? And, is President Emmanuel Macron's hopes of resetting France's fraught relationship with Africa now in tatters?Click 'Play' above to listen to this week's Spotlight on Africa.22/03/2019 09:13
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Spotlight on Africa Spreading the word of dementia amongst Nigeria's growing elderly population With one of the largest populations in Africa, Nigeria has nearly 200 million people. And with that is a rise in the number of elderly people, but many are unprepared with seeing loved ones suffer from the problems of dementia. But with traditions still very intact, often those suffering from the effects of dementia are feared to be witches, wizards or possessed by a supernatural spirit.In this edition of Spotlight on Africa, hear about one woman's campaign to spread the word of dementia and to ensure that those suffering from the brain disease are getting the help they need.You can read more about it here10/03/2019 23:43
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Spotlight on Africa “No future in Sudan under Bashir” says opposition leader Sudan is on the verge of a new revolution, as protesters angry at President Bashir's 30-year rule, demand change. At least 51 people have been killed since 19 December when anti-government demonstrations began, according to rights groups. Opposition parties have urged the international community to investigate the killings.08/02/2019 08:01
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Spotlight on Africa Can democracy work in Africa? Allegations of vote-rigging have mired elections in both Zimbabwe and Cameroon, and risk overshadowing upcoming polls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vote fraud appears to have become a trend across the African continent, begging the question of whether democracy is really working for Africa.05/11/2018
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Spotlight on Africa Human Rights Defenders unite against danger They play an important role in defending human rights. Yet for many, ensuring that civil liberties exist comes at a price. Last year, more than 300 human rights defenders were murdered, according to Amnesty International, behind the second Human Rights Defenders World Summit in Paris. It calls for a plan of action to protect and promote the work of activists, 20 years on from the first UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.31/10/2018
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Spotlight on Africa France seeks to boost trade ties with Africa at Paris conference French and African business leaders gathered in Paris on Monday for a two-day conference to explore new opportunities with Africa, amid intense competition from China and a host of other countries. However, France’s hopes for greater trade ties are still being hindered by negative perceptions of the African continent.23/10/2018
Spotlight on Africa
An in-depth look at an important story affecting the African continent today.