Zack Baddorf

Rwanda's Largest Solar Field Also Empowers Orphans

Panels help fund youth village for genocide and post-genocide victims

Rwanda's Largest Solar Field Also Empowering Orphans

Rwanda is home to East Africa's first large-scale commercial solar field, but the project is doing more than just generating renewable energy. It is also empowering local orphans. Zack Baddorf reports for VOA from the Rwamagana district outside the capital, Kigali.

Rwanda's Kagame Wins Re-election With Nearly 99% of Vote

More than 6.6 million votes were cast for the incumbent president and just over 80,000 cast for the two opposition candidates; turnout was about 96 percent

Rwanda’s President Kagame Wins Landslide Victory

Rwanda's Kagame Posts Overwhelming Lead in Early Vote Returns

Kagame has been in power for 17 years; 2015 constitutional measure could allow him to remain in power until 2034

Rwanda Votes in Presidential Election

Observers say voting has been smooth and peaceful; incumbent Kagame is expected to win a third term

Kagame, Weakened Opposition Face Off in Rwanda Elections

Nine of 11 registered political parties have endorsed incumbent but a few candidates are still challenging Kagame, who is widely expected to win reelection amid allegations of repression

Kagame Faces Weak Opposition in Rwanda Election

Rwanda goes to the polls Friday with President Paul Kagame widely expected to win a third term. Nine of the 11 registered political parties have endorsed the incumbent, but several candidates are still in the race. Zack Baddorf reports from Kigali.

UN Aid Official Visits CAR as Security, Humanitarian Conditions Worsen

Stephen O'Brien says UN mission working to ensure people are protected, but violence also rising against humanitarian workers in the countryside

Pessimism About CAR Peace Deal Widespread

Analysts, residents do not hold out much hope for success of latest peace deal signed in Rome this week

Insecurity Creates Challenges for HIV Treatment in Southeast C.A.R.

Regional HIV infection rate is three times the national average

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in CAR Amid Resurging Violence

Situation in Central African Republic worsening with increasing levels of violence and increased needs, amid humanitarian aid funding for the year at just 10 percent

In CAR, Capoeira Works Wonders for Traumatized Teens

Group of Christian and Muslim youth in C.A.R. hope to foster tolerance by teaching orphans the Brazilian martial art combining dance, music and acrobatics

Capoeira for Peace in the Central African Republic

As stability slowly returns to the Central African Republic, some of the hundreds of thousands of people who fled the conflict and communal violence in 2013 and 2014 are coming home. Five young returnees have brought with them a new skill: capoeira. The martial art was developed centuries ago by African slaves in Brazil. It combines dance, music and acrobatics.

US Begins Delivery of Nonlethal Aid to CAR Army

Aid comes as Trump administration signals possible reductions to US funding for UN peacekeeping missions

Armed Groups in CAR Occupy Schools, Block Education

Some schools in Bangui reopened thanks to UN mediation efforts but lawlessness prevails in rural areas

Central African Republic Returnees Face Challenges, Insecurity

The government shut down displaced persons' camp at the airport in its capital and sent camp's 30,000 remaining residents packing

Central Africans Use Radio Network to Stay Safe from LRA

$15-million project funded by USAID connects 94 remote villages in CAR, DRC with early-warning network of high-frequency and FM radios

WFP Makes Drastic Cuts to Food Aid Across Africa

WFP funding gap leaves half of the Central African Republic's population facing hunger

Food Aid Cutbacks Provoke Anguish in Central African Republic

The past year has seen the World Food Program make drastic cuts to food rations for people in need across Africa, as crises around the globe compete for donor money.  In the Central African Republic, 2 million people -- half of the population – need food aid.  But the WFP says it is able to assist less than a third of them.  For VOA, Zack Baddorf reports from the city of Bambari.