Africa News Tonight - VOA Africa

The 800-year Kingdom of Buganda is the largest of traditional kingdoms in modern-day East Africa. In a conversation with VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi, Buganda's Queen, Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, describes herself as a custodian of tradition and a bridge between past and the present.

The Arab Barometer survey for Tunisia in 2023 reflects changing priorities in a rapidly evolving region. Many Tunisians said promises of economic improvement have not been realized — just one-in-ten rate the economy as good. Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow at Carnegie Middle East Program, discussed the issue with VOA senior analyst Mohamed Elshinnawi.

Cameroon officials have declared a humanitarian emergency after encroaching waters from the Atlantic Ocean destroyed several hundred homes. The Buganda’s Queen Sylvia Nagginda Luswata Nagginda wants her legacy to be that of a champion for cultural preservation, women's empowerment, and community development. The Arab Barometer survey for Tunisia shows that 90 percent of the respondents do not think the economy is doing well, and economic optimism has fallen.

Libyan leaders have agreed to form a unified government to supervise long-delayed elections. The heads of the East Libya-based parliament, the High Council of State and Presidency Council, met in Cairo for talks aimed at bridging different opinions over balloting. The Arab League said the leaders agreed to form a technical committee to consider amendments to reach a consensus. Wolfgang Pusztai, a former Austrian military attache in Libya, discussed the issue with VOA senior analyst Mohamed Elshinnawi.

Research by United Nations Women shows "active resistance" to gender equality globally, especially in Africa, where societies continue to be dominated by men. The U.N. agency says governments worldwide have cut back on financial commitments aimed at protecting women from abuse. Darren Taylor reports.

The World Food Program warns unless the fighting stops, Sudan risks becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis, and 600,000 Sudanese who have fled to South Sudan and Chad also face hunger. Research by United Nations Women shows “active resistance” to gender equality globally, especially in Africa, where societies continue to be dominated by men. The Burundian club Dynamo has ended its participation in the men's Basketball Africa League because of its refusal to wear a "Visit Rwanda" logo on its uniform.

Africa News Tonight is a lively news magazine show featuring VOA correspondent reports, interviews with African officials, opposition leaders, NGOs and human rights activists. News feature stories look at science and technology, environmental issues, humanitarian topics, and the African diaspora.

Russian influence in Africa is expanding on so many levels.Diplomatically, experts say Russia’s overarching goal is to gain more support for its vision of a multipolar world order based on weakened Western influence. At the United Nations, it lobbies African allies for favorable votes on issues such as the Ukraine conflict and works to sow distrust with UN peacekeeping missions and other multilateral efforts.

David Des Roches, associate professor at the US National Defense University discussed with VOA’s senior analyst Mohamed Elshinnawi what should the U.S. do to confront these Russian goals?

At his State of the Union speech, U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled a plan to push aid to Gaza and worked to persuade voters he deserves a second term in office, by highlighting economic gains and blaming the opposition Republican Party for blocking legislation to address migration. An agreement between Kenya and Haiti to send police from the East African nation to help fight gangs in Haiti had raised hopes the U.N.-backed peace mission could begin soon, but a court ruling has slowed the Kenyan deployment. Tunisia is recognized for its progressive gender policies, particularly compared with some of its neighbors in the Middle East and Africa.

Africa News Tonight is a lively news magazine show featuring VOA correspondent reports, interviews with African officials, opposition leaders, NGOs and human rights activists. News feature stories look at science and technology, environmental issues, humanitarian topics, and the African diaspora.