US sanctions Rwandan army

US sanctions Rwandan army

Author: BBC World Service March 4, 2026 Duration: 22:59

On this episode, we examine the future of the US-brokered peace deal after Washington sanctioned Rwanda’s defence forces and senior military officials over the eastern DR Congo conflict. Kigali calls the move is unfair and accuses the DRC of failing to meet its own commitments. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has opened its first unmanned police station in Addis Ababa, letting citizens report crimes digitally. The pilot is part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s push to modernize public services, but is raising questions about adoption and data protection.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Keikantse Shumba, Daniel Dadzie and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla


Each weekday, as the afternoon draws to a close, Focus on Africa provides a thoughtful and necessary pause to understand the continent's dynamic pulse. Produced by the BBC World Service, this daily podcast goes beyond headlines, unpacking two essential stories with depth and context. The reporting doesn't just explain the major events shaping nations and communities; it deliberately highlights the individuals living through these changes, ensuring the human dimension of every story is heard. Furthermore, the program offers a vital African perspective on worldwide events, examining how global developments resonate locally. Under the steady guidance of host Nkechi Ogbonna, listeners are offered clarity and insight, making complex issues accessible. This reliable briefing is crafted to fit into your routine, arriving before the evening with the authority and nuance you expect. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with a nuanced portrait of a continent, its people, and its place in the world, all delivered with journalistic rigor five days a week.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 922

Focus on Africa
Podcast Episodes
Humanitarians working in Sudan speak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:40
Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian crisis globally. As the country’s civil war enters its third year, the United Nations and Non-Governmental organisations say it civilians are continuing to pay the price, due to i…
Sudan’s rebel forces declare rival government [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:24
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have declared the formation of a rival government in areas under their control, will that change the course of the civil war that is now entering its third year? Will forme…
Kidnappings increase in South Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:15
An American pastor who was kidnapped by armed men during a church service in South Africa last week has been rescued following a "high-intensity shoot-out". Police say three people were killed. Josh Sullivan was found un…
Will Africa benefit from rising gold prices? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:37
Will African gold producers benefit from a surge in prices this year? There's been a price hike after the start of a global trade warAn inquest into the apartheid-era death of Nobel laureate Albert Luthuli reopens nearly…
RSF takeover Zamzam camp in Darfur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:23
The UN says more than 100 civilians, among them at least 20 children and a medical team, have been killed in a series of attacks in Sudan's western Darfur region. The attacks, on the city of el-Fasher and two nearby camp…
Rwanda asks UK to extradite genocide suspects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:28
More than 30 years after the genocide in Rwanda, the country has asked Britain to extradite six suspects on UK soil. Can the suspects face trial in UK for the alleged crimes?As Gabon seeks to transition to a democratic s…
Former Gambian soldier trialled in the US [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
A former Gambian soldier, Michael Sang Correa, is standing trial in a US federal court in Denver, Colorado. Correa faces charges of torture and conspiracy to commit torture. Who is he and why is he being trialled in a US…
Can Tanzania benefit from US-China tariff wars ? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:49
With US-China tariff wars escalating- how could Tanzania benefit?Is South Sudan on the verge of a return to civil war?And why a TV dating show in Ethiopia is causing controversy.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny…
US cancels visas for South Sudanese nationals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:45
The US this week announced that it would revoke the visas of all South Sudanese passport holders. This was in reaction, to the refusal by immigration authorities at Juba international airport to accept a deported individ…
Who is Trump's envoy to Africa? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:16
Who is Massad Boulos the man steering the US and the DR Congo towards a mineral deal?What's Uganda's role in the DR Congo crisis?And are African youth more resilient than their western peers?Presenter: Audrey Brown Produ…