The oil rich South Sudan has been engulfed in ethnic violence since December 2013 and over 400 000 people have died since the conflict started.

Numerous attempts to build peace have failed, including the pact that saw opposition leader Riek Machar return as Vice President in 2016, only to run away as fighting didn’t stop. A second peace settlement was signed in 2018, which mainly held with warring parties forming a coalition in 2020 and Salva Kiir and Riek Machar trying one more time to run as the country's President and Vice-President respectively.

Yet here we are again at the other end of another ceasefire and peace agreement. Will there be a different outcome? To answer this question our new Let's Talk Human Rights podcast host Masechaba Mdaka is joined by two South Sudanese human rights advocates, Hon. Ms Animu A Risasi Amitai and Ms Merekaje Lorna Nanjia. Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Africa · FNF Africa · The Battle for the Soul of South Sudan.pdf — PDF (158.5 KB)

Our journey is taking us back to Cameroon. If you missed our previous Cameroon episode, please listen in.

Our last episode explored the anglophone crisis in Cameroon. In this episode, we want to look at how things are going in Cameroon these days. Currently the two English speaking regions of Cameroon are witnessing an escalation of violence that has led to the death of several people. This is a result of violent confrontations between Cameroon’s military and the defence forces of Ambazonia (an independent state in the Anglophone regions of Southern Cameroon) since AFCON, the main international men's association football competition in Africa, started. There has been a rise in kidnappings, mass arrests, detentions as well as attacks on educational establishments, just to name a few issues.

To this end, we are very pleased that human rights activists Ester Oman and Agbor Bala have joined in the latest feature!

We invite our two guests to share their views and reflect on the previous escalation of violence in Cameroon, advocating for the protection of the rule of law and democracy. This episode is hosted by the new host of the podcast, Masechaba Mdaka. Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom · FNF Africa · “Let’s talk human rights” FNF Human Rights Podcast– Cameroon II_Season 3_Episode 1_Transcript.pdf — PDF (110.8 KB)

On this International Human Rights Day, we are very pleased that Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has taken the time to join our podcast for a second time. He is better known under his stage name H. E. Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine is a Ugandan politician, Presidential Candidate, activist, singer, actor, businessperson and philanthropist. As of 11 July 2017, he serves as Member of Parliament representing Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda's Central Region.

Today, we invite Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu to share his views and reflect on the previous presidential election, advocating for the protection of the rule of law and democracy.

What is the situation on the ground in Uganda?

The presidential elections took place in January 2021. President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for the last 34 years, started his sixth term in office. In 2005, the provision limiting the head of state's term of office to two terms was lifted and instead an age limit of 75 years for presidential candidates was introduced. In 2017, the parliament passed a controversial constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority that abolishes even the age limit. These amendments paved the way for President Museveni’s candidacy in the elections in January 2021.

Human rights violations are rising in Uganda. Violations of freedom of speech, press and assembly are at the core of the said agenda by the incumbent ruling party. Friedrich Naumann Foundation For Freedom · FNF Africa · International Human Rights Day 2021 - Let's Talk Human Rights, Bobi Wine.pdf — PDF (101.1 KB)

As you may know, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence starts today. We want to take this opportunity to dedicate today's podcast episode to women in Africa. This is the second time that we feature a special episode on 16 Days of Activism. If you missed last year’s special episode, hosting Elizabeth Maro Minde from Tanzania as our guest, do listen to it wherever you listen to your podcasts.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation has set itself the goal to strengthen

women in sub-Saharan Africa. Particularly in rural areas, women and girls

often battle hard times and suffer from discrimination by men.

Not only in Africa, but especially in Africa, the proportion of women in leading

positions in business and politics is alarmingly low.

Today, we find ourselves in East Africa again. More precisely, in Uganda. In our previous episodes, we have visited Uganda twice and talked to Human Rights Lawyer and Director of Chapter Four Uganda Nicholas Opyio as well as Ugandan politician, singer, actor and businessman Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known by his stage name Bobi Wine. In this episode, host Nangamso Kwinana is joined by Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi, the force behind Bobi Wine.

Barbara is a women and children, particularly the girl child activist focusing on encouraging young women and girls to prioritise their education. Her non-profit organisation, Caring Hearts Uganda focuses on initiatives in rural Uganda, working to shape and empower the youth to walk the straight and narrow since in life, only great foundations can guarantee a virtuous future. Since 2013 Caring Hearts Uganda has been on a mission to raise the living standards of young people through the promotion of proper menstrual healthcare, personal development and entrepreneurial skills. Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Sub Saharan Africa · FNF Africa · Let's Talk Human Rights - 16 Days of Activism with Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi_transcript.pdf — PDF (125.6 KB)

In today's episode, we will be focusing on Kenya. Unfortunately, arbitrary arrests, police violence, forced disappearances and intimidation attempts against the civilian population are part of the sad everyday life in Kenya. In recent years, an increasing number of reports has noted the growing difficulties of human rights organizations in Kenya. The scope for action is shrinking. Particularly, legislative proposals have restricted the scope of action of Kenyan civil society in recent years. The criminalization of human rights defenders has intensified, especially for women. Arbitrary arrests and lengthy court proceedings have made the work of human rights defenders in marginalised settlements more difficult.

Host Nangamso Kwinana has two guests from Kenya joining her. First up is Rachael Mwikali who is a grassroots woman human rights defender, Pan African Feminist, community organiser, Gender Justice and SRHR activist.

With her is Juliet Wanjira. Juliet is co-founder of Mathare Social Justice Centre and one time convener of women in social a justice centre. She is a grassroots human rights defender and social justice activist. Listen in to hear their story. Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Sub-Saharan Africa · FNF Africa · FNF-Kenya_Transcript.pdf — PDF (167.6 KB)

Today, we find ourselves in Rwanda.

Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is also known as the land of a thousand hills. Rwanda shares borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 2017, President Paul Kagame was elected to a third seven-year term. According to official figures he received 99 percent of the vote.

As we already pointed out in our previous episodes, even in democratic constitutional states, human rights violations occur on a regular basis. However, emerging and developing countries, such as African countries are particularly affected. In Rwanda, significant human rights issues include serious restrictions on free expressions like violence against journalists, censorship and website blocking; torture; forced disappearance; acts of violence and criminalisation on sexual orientation; substantial interference with the rights of peaceful assembly and restrictions on political participation. Host Nangamso Kwinana is joined by Louis Busingye who is a Human Rights Lawyer living in Rwanda. He has a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law from Lancaster University (UK) and a postgraduate degree in Public International Law from the Independent University of Kigali. He is an Alumni of Uganda Christian University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Law. He currently serves as the Strategic Associate at Interconnected Justice, a pan African organization that advocates for the dignity of African persons and heritage. Prior to this appointment, he was the Programs Coordinator at Human Rights First Rwanda Association – a national organisation that promotes Human Rights and Access to Justice for marginalised persons in Rwanda.

SOURCES: SABC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEjDg2SCfdw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8wwco7kNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnNp-CELksk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8wwco7kNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82twX06Dqis Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Sub-Saharan Africa · FNF Africa · Let's Talk Human Rights_Rwanda_Transcript.pdf — PDF (125.7 KB)

Our next series of episodes will introduce you to the very people who actively stand up for human rights in Africa despite strong headwinds, and the work they do as Human Rights Defenders. We will meet Human Rights Defenders from different countries, listen to their stories, and learn what motivated them to become Human Rights Defenders in the first place.

Host Nangamso Kwinana is joined by Elvis Wepngong and Nora Shuyeh from Cameroon as well as Dr Michaela Lissowsky who is a Senior Advisor for Human Rights, Politics and the Rule of Law at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. Dr Lissowsky features first in the episode however, to explain the concept of Human Rights Defenders in more detail.

Audio sources:

SABC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFt3uxkBESs

France 24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2I9f6EzhjQ

SABC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVSJeUO9GY

SABC News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcK7sFhqnNc Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom's Website · FNF Africa · The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon.pdf — PDF (154.7 KB)

Have you ever thought about what it is like to grow up or live in place that is in a constant crisis? Terrible reports of war, terror and human rights violations?

Today, we want to take you on a trip to West Africa. More precisely, to Mali. Unfortunately, we often associate Mali with war, terrorism, ethnic tension and crisis. However, today, we would like to paint a clearer picture of the situation on the ground.

Our host Nangamso Kwinana is joined by Alioune Tine, who is, amongst many other roles, the current United Nations independent expert on the situation of human rights in Mali since 2018.

Audio sources:

BBC Africa : https://youtu.be/PyNrhvVjinY

TC: 0:00 - 0:15

Africa News : https://youtu.be/FY6P94N6pu0

TC: 0:03 - 0:11

Aljazeera : https://youtu.be/V_7RaVKZDaw

TC: 0:30 - 0:38

SABC News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThO73waCuJQ

TC: 0:55-1:14

SABC News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ3cvso587Y

TC: 0:00-0:07 FNF Africa · FNF Africa

DW News reports on the recent FNF event on the release of the playbook, Promoting Civil Liberties in East Africa that took place on 25 February 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya. Op-Ed: East Africa needs a liberal restart to protect and promote civil liberties

In our fourth episode, we have two guests from Uganda visiting us. Nicholas Opiyo, a leading human rights lawyer and founder of Chapter Four Uganda, an organisation that provides research, advocacy, and outreach services to contribute to laws, policies, and practices in the interest of civil liberties and human rights. Since 2005, Opiyo has worked tirelessly to promote civil liberties in Uganda, often on pro bono. He is the recipient of the 2017 German Africa Prize, the 2015 Voices for Justice Award from Human Rights Watch and the European Union Parliament Sakharov Fellows Prize recipient for 2016. He will explain to us his view of Uganda’s legal system.

We also have the pleasure and honour of engaging Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu! We are very pleased that Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has taken the time to join our podcast. He is better known under his stage name H. E. Bobi Wine.

Bobi Wine is a Ugandan politician, Presidential candidate, activist, singer, actor, businessperson and philanthropist. As of 11 July 2017, he serves as Member of Parliament representing Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda's Central Region. We invite Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu to share his views and reflect on his experiences of leading the opposition in Uganda, advocating for the protection of the rule of law and democracy.

Audio sources [SABC News]:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKs0L0Ygvi0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4k9_hNZ5n8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EYzr7lK3M4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiHYcA-rFtI Let's Talk Human Rights, Podcast · FNF Africa