On Daybreak Africa: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa opened on Thursday a Group of 20 foreign ministers meeting with a call for "cooperation" amid geopolitical tensions and "rising intolerance." Plus, the US imposes sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior member of the M23 rebel group. Sudan recalls its ambassador from Nairobi to protest Kenya hosting the RSF and its allies. We’ll tell you why Zambia’s opposition Tonse Alliance is urging the government to stop the introduction of new banknotes. The US denies allegations that the United States Agency for International Development is funding Boko Haram in Nigeria. European leaders push back against claims by President Trump that Ukraine started the war with Russia. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

The United States has firmly rejected allegations that the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, is funding Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria. This followed an allegation made by a US congressman, Scott Perry, that USAID has been funding Boko haram and other international terrorist organizations. Our reporter in Abuja, Nigeria has more

A Sudanese political leader says lasting peace will only come to his country if the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) surrenders to the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. This comes as Kenya is hosting this week a meeting of the RSF and its allies that would lead to the formation of a peace and unity government. The Kenyan government said hosting the groups was the first step toward supporting peace. The French News Agency (AFP) reports that Sudan’s army-backed government recalled its ambassador from Kenya on Thursday in protest. Hussein Shingrai , foreign affairs secretary of the People’s Democratic Party of Sudan, tells VOA’s James Butty, that the RSF wants to form a government in occupied territories to further divide Sudan.

The US Treasury Department Thursday imposed sanctions on a Rwandan government minister and a senior member of the M23 rebel group for their alleged role in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A US Treasury Department statement says Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, was being targeted because he is “central to Rwanda’s support” for the M23 militant group that it said was responsible for human rights abuses in the DRC. Also sanctioned was Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, an M23 and Congo River Alliance senior member and spokesperson, plus two of his companies registered in the United Kingdom and France. Jean Paul Ruhosha, an expert in conflict resolution and director of Congo Today, tells VOA’s Douglas Mpuga, these sanctions will not help in resolving the conflict in eastern DR

In Zambia, the opposition Tonse Alliance is urging the government to stop the introduction of new banknotes. Alliance spokesperson Sean Tembo says the design focuses on the country’s wildlife, while neglecting the country’s national heroes. Tembo tells VOA’s James Butty, the government did not consult the public before rolling out the new currency. The finance ministry says printing money is a high-security matter that cannot be handled through an open tender

A Kenyan startup business is helping people prone to power outages preserve food with solar powered refrigerators. The devices can keep food cool for up to four days without electricity, even with limited sunlight. Victoria Amunga reports from Nairobi

Analysts say Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns have been key factors behind the departure of French troops from Chad and other countries in Africa’s Sahel region. In this report from N’djamena, Chad, Henry Wilkins takes a closer look at Russia’s media strategies in the Sahel as French troops depart.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly asked Chad for military support in its effort to contain M23 rebels. According to Reuters news agency, a special envoy of President Felix Tshisekedi visited Chad this week to meet with its military leader Idris Deby Ito. Meanwhile, M23 rebels have captured Uvira, the second major city in South Kivu. This, as the African Union-led peace process led by Angola President Joao Lourenco seeks renewed energy. Veteran Angolan independent journalist Mario Paiva tells VOA’S James Butty, if the report about Chad is correct, it would be serious move toward turning the DRC conflict into an Africa-wide one

The Speaker of Malawi’s Parliament has suspended five lawmakers from attending deliberations. This, after chaos erupted when legislators accused President Lazarus Chakwera of lying to Parliament over projects completed during his four years in office. In his State of the Nation Address last Friday President Chakwera highlighted the success of various projects which opposition lawmakers say never existed. However, in his video statement released Wednesday night, Chakwera said he will clarify his comments on Friday. Lameck Masina reports from Blantyre.

Amnesty International and other human rights organizations will hold a protest march at the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi on Monday. They will protest the Ugandan government’s continued detention of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye despite a Supreme Court ruling against Besigye’s trial in the military court. The groups will also march to the Kenyan National Assembly to call on the Kenya government to investigate and end alleged abductions in Kenya. Roland Ebole, Amnesty International Regional Researcher for Uganda and Tanzania, tells VOA’s James Butty, the groups will demand the immediate release of Dr. Besigye, whose health is said to be declining in prison