Eye on Africa

In tonight's edition: In Morocco, dozens of top voices from across society back an open appeal to the king calling for change and backing Gen Z protesters. Also, campaigning is in full swing in Cameroon ahead of the October 12 presidential elections. Plus Kenyan exporters worry about the fading of the flower export market to Europe, this as business chiefs meet in Nairobi to thrash out how best to make the COMESA regional common market cultivate fresh blossoms for the horticultural sector.

In Eswatini, human rights groups and lawyers are calling for transparency regarding the latest group of US deportees to arrive under a deal between the kingdom and Washington. Critics say the deal is both unconstitutional and morally problematic. Also, the AGOA agreement that granted certain African exporters tariff-free access to US markets expired a week ago, leaving the future uncertain. However, some business leaders believe its expiration could boost the effectiveness of the AfCFTA, the continent's own trade agreement. Plus a win for Cape Verde would secure their place at the World Cup, which would have been unimaginable a decade ago. The archipelago's squad face Libya on Wednesday, with fans on both sides on tenterhooks as everything is at stake. 

In tonight's edition: The International Criminal Court has convicted the first Janjaweed militia leader for atrocities committed in Sudan's Darfur region more than 20 years ago. Also, Senegal's Pink Lake is increasingly drawing the attention of property developers. Plus Africa Week UK has its inaugural gathering amidst Britain's Black History Month.

The president of Madagascar took to Facebook on Friday to make an address to the nation, in an effort to quell nine days of rolling anti-corruption protests. Andry Rajoelina claimed the Gen Z movement, which is demanding his resignation, has been exploited to provoke a coup. He alleged that outside influences have paid for the movement to oust him.

In tonight's edition: Anti-government protesters in Morocco head out onto the streets for a fifth night of demonstrations. Also, export-reliant businesses across Africa start October under a cloud of uncertainty after the US's AGOA trade agreement is allowed to lapse. And the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are supposed to begin applying measures to de-escalate the conflict in eastern DR Congo as of this week.

There were more protests in Madagascar on Monday, even as President Andry Rajoelina tried to quell popular outrage by firing the government. There have been days of unrest across the country over its crumbling infrastructure. On Monday, the UN estimated that at least 22 people had died in crackdowns on youth-led marches that first erupted last Thursday. The UN's human rights chief said he was shocked by the extent to which security officers responded with force. However, some of the deaths have been attributed to looting and violence by gangs taking advantage of the unrest.

Ugandan voters now have the line-up of candidates for next year's elections, including firebrand opposition leader Bobi Wine. Wine is one of incumbent long-time leader Yoweri Museveni's fiercest critics and has been cleared to stand against him for a second time. He first tried in 2021, and his supporters took to the streets in celebration despite clashes with security forces.

Hundreds of women from across the country gathered in the Nigerian capital this week in support of those leading a push to introduce a quota for female legislators. Currently, only four out of 109 senators and 16 out of 360 House of Representatives members are women. The "Special Seats Bill" would allocate one additional seat for a woman in both the House and Senate in each of the country's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. However, this ambitious push has encountered obstacles before. We speak to Brenda Anugwom, CEO of the Nigerian Women's Trust Fund.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are turning their backs on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The three countries, which are members of the Alliance of Sahel States, accuse the ICC of being an instrument of neo-colonial repression and foreign domination that ignores their rights and realities. Also, people are fleeing war and facing disease as cholera spreads throughout Sudan's 18 states. Half a million people have fled the city of El Fasher with no shelter, prompting the Red Cross to sound the alarm. And it's a big win for Ousmane Dembélé, who has made history by winning the Ballon d’Or. His triumph has sent waves of pride all the way to Senegal.

The trial of First Vice President Riek Machar began this Monday in South Sudan. He is accused by the government of treason, terrorism and even murder. The trial carries major political implications, as Machar led opposition forces during the civil war that devastated the country between 2013 and 2018, before signing a peace agreement with President Salva Kiir.