West African francophone countries shave a complex interrelated

history. Having gone through slavery, colonization and reaching independence within the same decade, today they are politically, and

economically interwined through two main regional institutions,

namely ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), and

WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union). However,

despite the end of colonialism, France still maintains a strong presence

in these countries and some of them have been witnessed an

unprecedented level of insecurity in recent years.

Raïssa Zoungrana a fellow at the African Leadership Centre with an

interest in security issues in West Africa or the Sahel, discusses how

different actors in Francophone countries are pretending to resolve the

situation.

Since the years of independence, Africa has experienced more coups than any other continent. The social, political and economic conditions prevailing in different African countries are have been the driving force behind destabilising nations, creating environments for coups on the continent. Social discontent, largely expressed through protest, has been met with varying degrees of suppression, co-option and consolidation of the status quo. Chelsea Cohen, a woman fellow at the African Leadership Centre with an interest in the intersection between leadership and the socio-political factors that contribute to peace and

(in)security dynamics. She examines the recent spate in coups on the continent and what these coups are telling us about our domestic affairs.

Discussion Prog on Elections in Africa by ALC Pan-African Radio

Women, power and global decision making in a world at war by ALC Pan-African Radio

The current African Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon has been marred by controversy from the start. First, there was the chaos in the match between Tunisia and Mali that the Zambian referee decided to finish twice before the ninety minutes, then the kick-off of the match between Gambia and Mauritania being delayed by fourty five minutes and the wrong national anthem being played three times for the Mauritania team, the volatile security situation in the country

and the coronavirus pandemic which has affected many players from most teams.

All these challenges and more have made some people especially from several European countries and few from North Africa speak openly about the need for the tournament to be either postponed. This has angered Cameroonian football officials and well - known former players.

To discuss this, we are joined by:

Hubert Kinkoh a peace, security and development researcher across Africa and

Research Associate and Coordinator of the Peace, Security and Development Fellowship Programmes at the African Leadership Centre; having previously worked with several international organisations. Hubert is originally from Cameroon.

And

Judith Macharia, an alumni of the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London Fellowship programme and a consultant at the Football Foundation of Africa. Judith is also the Programme Coordinator of the Africa Football Development Network. She also manages grassroot sport for development initiatives in Africa through her organization known as Roads to Goals. Judith is

from Kenya.

South Africa, like most countries across the globe, continues to criminalize sex work under the Sexual Offences Act drafted during the apartheid period. Sex workers therefore continue to be insecure and at risk of encountering violence and harassment by both the police and clients. Let alone stigma when they seek public healthcare services. Not to mention, how the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the situation for them.

Sara Soumaya Abed, a fellow at the ALC, reflects on how two South African sex workers-led organizations, SWEAT and Sisonke, respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Audio clips: eNCA

Susanne Mbise, a fellow at the ALC gives a glimpse to the journey of women’s representation in political leadership in Tanzania.

Abdullahi Rage a fellow at the ALC, traces Abiy's rise to power and examines how he is handling the highly controversial war in Tigray.

Audio Clip: Al Jazeera & CGTN Africa

Halima Ahmed, a peace, security and development early-career women fellow at the ALC from Kenya, looks at Police Brutality and Inequality in Nairobi, Kenya during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Audio Clip: Global News

Fakhrriyyah Abdallah, a fellow at the ALC, speaks about Neem foundation, and how they are supporting peace efforts through psychosocial support in the North East of Nigeria.

Audio Clip: BBC News Africa & Neem Foundation