This week: Ramaphosa rallies in the Oval Office, as Team SA takes on Trump. Britain gives back the Chagos islands - sort of. Kabila under the cosh. And mosquitoes could be in line for anti-malarials. 

Episode 53: References/further reading:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cpqe7rp388vt

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/22/high-court-judge-blocks-uk-from-concluding-chagos-islands-deal

https://www.dw.com/en/icj-backs-equatorial-guinea-in-gabon-islands-dispute/a-72600756

https://themercury.com/news/national/dr-congo-ex-leader-kabila-loses-immunity-to-treason-probe/article_45957f43-1452-569d-aba3-a9a97fa4f80d.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/uganda-passes-law-restore-military-prosecutions-civilians-2025-05-20/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1j554pgjgko

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: White Afrikaners arrive in the United States - what's the reaction back home? The Bongos start a new life in Launda. Remembering the extraordinary Koyo Kouoh. And what generative AI could really mean for the continent.

Episode 52: References/further reading:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce82e67p8p2o

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250516-gabon-ali-bong-president-angola-junta-coup-released-house-arrest-ngueme-lourenco-luanda

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/12/koyo-kouoh-art-curator-2026-venice-biennale-dies

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwynlr794j0o

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/turkey-strikes-major-oil-find-in-east-africa-with-reserves-estimated-at-20-billion/hjw4tm3

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgv96zw2g4o

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/leading-not-lagging-africas-gen-ai-opportunity

 https://www.semafor.com/article/05/14/2025/africa-could-unlock-103b-using-generative-ai-report-finds

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: The international courts rule against Sudan in its beef with the UAE. Ghana's new president sacks his top justice. Zambia and Zimbabwe try again to get the water - and electricity - flowing. And how female bonobos are bossing it against the boys. 

Episode 51: References/further reading:

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/may/05/sudan-fails-in-attempt-to-make-uae-accountable-for-acts-of-genocide

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v9gnd0xr0o

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/8/malian-juntas-move-to-hold-on-to-power-sparks-rare-revolt

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/zambia-african-hiv-donald-trump-washington-b2747329.html

https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/zambia-and-zimbabwe-renew-push-for-dollar5-billion-hydro-dam-project/8m4d4be

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20250504-nature-sister-act-sees-female-bonobos-outrank-stronger-males-democratic-republic-of-congo

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: The US makes sure Rwanda and the DRC shake hands - what's the price tag? South Africa sets up an inquiry into apartheid-era crimes. Nigeria wants to be back in the index. And Ivory Coast puts on the paint. 

Episode 50: References/further reading:

https://www.dw.com/en/doubts-arise-about-planned-drc-rwanda-peace-agreement/a-72395252

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5wxe10xxwo

https://punchng.com/nigeria-in-talks-to-rejoin-jpmorgan-index/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cql6x4n6k7qo

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/30/cyril-ramaphosa-sets-up-inquiry-into-whether-past-anc-governments-interfered-withinvestigation-of-apartheid-era-crimes

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250501-no-more-boulevard-de-france-ivory-coast-colonial-street-names-get-a-rebrand

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Africa remembers Pope Francis - but what lies ahead? The continent wades in on the tariff game. Ivory Coast gets tough on Thiam. And Africa reaches for the stars. 

Episode 49: References/further reading:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/how-pope-francis-redefined-the-churchs-ties-with-africa

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/24/drc-government-and-m23-make-surprise-truce-to-end-fighting-in-east-of-country

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g75825r94o

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-rand-marginally-stronger-after-vat-hike-withdrawn-2025-04-24/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg7jkx04d0o

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tanzania-bans-agriculture-imports-south-africa-malawi-2025-04-24/

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ivory-coast-opposition-leader-thiam-says-he-wont-drop-presidential-bid-2025-04-23/

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/african-space-agency-celebrates-official-inauguration-joining-global-push-for-space-innovation

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Trump's tariffs - how exposed is Africa really? South Sudan's spat with Washington. And money for AI in Africa, but where's the power?

Episode 48: References/further reading:

https://www.semafor.com/vertical/africa

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9281ljxj0o

https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2025/4/8/devastation-after-deadly-flooding-in-dr-congos-capital

https://international.la-croix.com/laudato-si/it-was-like-a-tsunami-flash-floods-turn-kinshasa-streets-into-rivers

https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-opposition-chadema-tundu-lissu-arrest-7c9fa600b365a728c51e0dae32faab22

https://africapractice.com

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-04-10-milestone-as-qhala-launches-africa-ai-declaration-at-global-summit

https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/08/nigerian-court-jails-makeup-artist-for-spraying-banknotes-at-wedding/

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Trumped by US trade tariffs, what has Lesotho done wrong? The shell that was once Khartoum as the RSF clears out. South Africa's unity government not so united afterall. And Ghana floats a new age of power-generation. 

Episode 47: References/further reading:

https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/15418/the-trump-tariffs-on-2-april-will-call-time-on-the-agoa-free-trade-bill

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-juntas-impose-levy-imported-goods-2025-03-30/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cly15pjjlzeo

 https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africas-da-joins-opposition-push-hold-up-contested-budget-2025-04-02/

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20250402-ghana-unveils-west-africa-s-largest-floating-solar-project-boosting-renewable-energy-ambitions

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Deep trouble for South Sudan's fragile peace as the vice-president is arrested. What could the end of US funding for global vaccines mean? And Namibia's first female president boldly puts the country on a new track.

Episode 46: References/further reading:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q1jppzp4no

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-sudan-chad-condemn-sudanese-generals-threats-attack-them-2025-03-24/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyd505vzlwo

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/health/usaid-cuts-gavi-bird-flu.html

https://www.namibian.com.na/nandi-ndaitwahs-cabinet-takes-shape-with-a-bold-new-direction/

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250327-algerian-court-hands-french-algerian-writer-boualem-sansal-five-year-prison-term-afp

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Sudan's army on the offensive in Khartoum. The war in the eastern DRC front-and-centre as leaders of Rwanda and the Congo meet face-to-face, so what could Qatar get out of this? And Ghana's celebrated investigative journalist gets a massive pay-out. 

Episode 45: References/further reading:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/21/sudan-army-recaptures-presidential-palace-khartoum-major-battlefield-gain

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge10nnynzlo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r9709v8no

https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20250319-tshisekedi-and-kagame-meet-in-qatar-for-crisis-talks-on-eastern-drc

https://african.business/2025/01/trade-investment/qatar-airways-and-rwandair-closing-in-on-deal-says-kagame?utm_source=semafor

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-lawmakers-back-presidents-emergency-rule-oil-rich-state-2025-03-20/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4ypgp9eg3o

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/20/kirsty-coventry-elected-first-female-president-ioc-sebastian-coe-denied-vote

topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Southern African countries troop out of the DRC. Is South Sudan heading back to civil war? Remembering Athol Fugard. And the African artistes on repeat for King Charles.

Episode 44: References/further reading:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05m013rppjo

 https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250313-trump-to-dr-congo-s-rescue-what-we-know-about-a-proposed-us-congolese-mining-deal

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/11/uganda-deploys-troops-in-south-sudan-as-civil-war-fears-grow

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2025/03/07/france-begins-handover-of-military-bases-to-senegal_6738927_124.html

https://www.africanews.com/2024/12/21/frances-president-sees-new-role-for-its-djibouti-military-base//

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/natasha-takes-case-against-akpabio-to-un-inter-parliamentary-union/#google_vignette

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/09/internet-shutdowns-record-high-africa-2024-access-weaponised

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd92z3823qyo

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/mar/09/athol-fugard-caught-the-impact-of-apartheids-full-on-attack-on-humanity

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