https://www.voanews.com Voice of America is an international news and broadcast organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.voanews.com en 2026 - VOA 60 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:43:54 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA NAIROBI — A British charity for the disabled, citing World Bank data, says the world could gain trillions annually in Gross Domestic Product if women were employed at the same rate as men. Failure to close gender employment gaps reduces a country’s economic growth by 20% on average, according to the data. In many countries, women face multiple challenges when seeking employment or starting a business. Gender discrimination alone can drive women into poverty, but the risk increases if paired... https://www.voanews.com/a/uk-charity-calls-to-close-gender-employment-gap-for-disabled/8005797.html https://www.voanews.com/a/uk-charity-calls-to-close-gender-employment-gap-for-disabled/8005797.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:36:09 -0400 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — Human rights activists, lawyers and medical practitioners in East Africa called on the Ugandan government Tuesday to release opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who has spent the past three months in military detention. Besigye, who was abducted while on a trip to Kenya in November, was recently rushed to a hospital after going on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment. Reading a statement on behalf of 12 organizations in Nairobi, the head of one of the groups, Khalid... https://www.voanews.com/a/uganda-under-fire-for-detention-of-opposition-leader/7979156.html https://www.voanews.com/a/uganda-under-fire-for-detention-of-opposition-leader/7979156.html Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:03:11 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Nairobi, Kenya — A new report says the emergence of cheap artificial intelligence tools is leading to a wave of biometric fraud in Africa. The report says fraudsters are using AI to create fake documents, voices, and images that facilitate identity theft and financial crimes.  In July 2024, Japhet Ndubi, a Kenyan journalist, lost his phone and could not trace it. He replaced the SIM card, bought a new phone, and went on with his life. Four days later, while on a lunch break, he received a... https://www.voanews.com/a/ai-driven-biometric-fraud-surges-in-africa-fueling-financial-crimes/7973925.html https://www.voanews.com/a/ai-driven-biometric-fraud-surges-in-africa-fueling-financial-crimes/7973925.html Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:36:10 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI — The rebel group M23 declared a ceasefire in areas under its control in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing humanitarian reasons. The streets of Goma were busy as aid groups rushed Tuesday to help the thousands of people wounded and displaced during the past week’s fighting between M23 and pro-Congolese government forces.  The M23 group also halted its military advance in other areas, most notably around the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu, where M23... https://www.voanews.com/a/m23-declares-ceasefire-in-drc-as-regional-leaders-try-to-forge-peace-/7962611.html https://www.voanews.com/a/m23-declares-ceasefire-in-drc-as-regional-leaders-try-to-forge-peace-/7962611.html Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:08:09 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI — Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. Human rights groups welcomed the decision as a major step in protecting the right to a fair trial, but the government criticized the move.  Human Rights Watch’s senior researcher Oryem Nyeko said the decision is encouraging, as it reflects the values of human rights and the right to a fair trial.  The idea that civilians should not be tried in military courts is something that is... https://www.voanews.com/a/uganda-s-supreme-court-bans-military-trials-for-civilians-government-rejects-ruling/7961182.html https://www.voanews.com/a/uganda-s-supreme-court-bans-military-trials-for-civilians-government-rejects-ruling/7961182.html Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:03:32 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — Seventeen U.N. peacekeepers have been killed this year in clashes between M23 rebels and government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including three within the last week, the U.N. reported Wednesday. The three peacekeepers — one from Uruguay and two from South Africa — were killed over the weekend in the fighting around Goma. More than 300 U.N. peacekeepers have been killed since the mission in Congo was deployed in 1999. The deaths have renewed... https://www.voanews.com/a/un-mission-in-drc-under-scrutiny-as-conflict-escalates/7956989.html https://www.voanews.com/a/un-mission-in-drc-under-scrutiny-as-conflict-escalates/7956989.html Thu, 30 Jan 2025 11:44:23 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — The African Union and other regional bodies on late Tuesday called for an immediate halt to fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The M23 rebel group seized control of eastern Congo’s largest city, Goma, on Monday. According to some residents who spoke to VOA, Goma is calm after two days of heavy fighting. Residents who ventured out Wednesday saw bodies on the streets, some in military uniforms and others in civilian clothes. The regional bodies called for M23... https://www.voanews.com/a/african-union-demands-halt-to-fighting-in-eastern-dr-congo/7955855.html https://www.voanews.com/a/african-union-demands-halt-to-fighting-in-eastern-dr-congo/7955855.html Wed, 29 Jan 2025 15:16:15 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — Authorities in Somalia’s Puntland region this week banned the illegal entry of foreigners and ordered telecom companies to deactivate SIM cards linked to undocumented people and Islamic State terrorists. The moves are an attempt to disrupt Islamic State financial networks as the military continues an offensive against IS fighters hiding out in the region. Authorities recently launched military operations against IS fighters in the Alimiskaad and Al-Madow mountains in... https://www.voanews.com/a/puntland-blocks-illegal-entry-of-foreigners-in-is-crackdown/7953395.html https://www.voanews.com/a/puntland-blocks-illegal-entry-of-foreigners-in-is-crackdown/7953395.html Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:11:52 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Nairobi, Kenya — Human Rights Watch is expressing concern about civilians in the eastern Congolese city of Goma now that M23 rebels have taken control of the city. Fighting between M23 and Democratic Republic of the Congo forces has displaced 400,000 since the start of this year, according to the United Nations. Goma’s capture by the rebel group further threatens civilian lives and could cause more displacement, the rights group said.  Residents of Goma in eastern DR Congo shared videos... https://www.voanews.com/a/civilians-at-increased-risk-as-m23-rebels-capture-drc-goma-rights-advocates-warn/7951639.html https://www.voanews.com/a/civilians-at-increased-risk-as-m23-rebels-capture-drc-goma-rights-advocates-warn/7951639.html Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:12:57 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Plastic waste accounts for 10 to 12 percent of all solid waste in Kenya, according to the United Nations Environmental Program. A Kenyan tech company is using plastic waste to print 3D models that help college students with their learning while reducing damage to the environment. Mohammed Yusuf reports from Nairobi. https://www.voanews.com/a/kenyan-tech-firm-turns-plastic-waste-into-3d-images-boosts-learning-cuts-emissions/7950948.html https://www.voanews.com/a/kenyan-tech-firm-turns-plastic-waste-into-3d-images-boosts-learning-cuts-emissions/7950948.html Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:05:57 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — Human Rights Watch has found that African governments continue to crack down and wrongly arrest political opponents, critics, activists and journalists. The rights group also says armed forces and armed groups in some African countries have targeted civilians, killing them and driving them from their homes. The conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia feature prominently in a Human Rights Watch report released Thursday. The report says that in Sudan, the war between the armed... https://www.voanews.com/a/hrw-report-governments-armed-groups-intensify-abuses-in-africa/7939208.html https://www.voanews.com/a/hrw-report-governments-armed-groups-intensify-abuses-in-africa/7939208.html Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:31:36 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Nairobi, Kenya — A Tanzanian human rights activist who was briefly abducted on Sunday says she was targeted because of her comments accusing the government of abusing and oppressing its people. Maria Sarungi Tsehai was kidnapped in Nairobi by unidentified gunmen, alarming fellow activists. She said she was fortunate to be free after armed men abducted her in Kenya’s capital Sunday afternoon. Tsehai said she was out walking when three men grabbed her, bundled her into a vehicle and... https://www.voanews.com/a/rights-activist-links-brief-kidnapping-in-kenya-to-tanzanian-government/7935276.html https://www.voanews.com/a/rights-activist-links-brief-kidnapping-in-kenya-to-tanzanian-government/7935276.html Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:43:23 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — Africa's agriculture ministers are meeting in Uganda this week to discuss the best way to transform the continent's food production systems. The ministers hope to agree on a 10-year action plan to reduce Africa's reliance on food from outside the continent and adapt its farming practices to climate change and modern technology. The ministers and more than 2,000 delegates are meeting in Kampala to discuss sustainable agriculture and food production... https://www.voanews.com/a/african-ministers-meet-in-uganda-to-shape-10-year-food-security-sustainability-plan-/7931443.html https://www.voanews.com/a/african-ministers-meet-in-uganda-to-shape-10-year-food-security-sustainability-plan-/7931443.html Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:51:05 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Nairobi — In 2024, protests by young Kenyans sent shock waves through the country’s political scene, forcing the government to drop proposed taxes and fire several ministers. The youth movement highlighted the challenges Kenya faces as the government tries to increase revenues from citizens who are grappling with the high cost of living and are angry about corruption and what they see as attempts to stifle dissent. As the year comes to an end, President William Ruto’s government and a large... https://www.voanews.com/a/kenya-grapples-with-protests-despite-political-unity-efforts-/7918553.html https://www.voanews.com/a/kenya-grapples-with-protests-despite-political-unity-efforts-/7918553.html Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:58:21 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI — Kenya’s security report this year has been dominated by the violence and killings of women and girls, with more than 7,100 cases of gender-based violence since September 2023. Included in that number are 100 documented cases of murder against women since August 2024. Sarah Wambui said she was attacked one morning by her husband of 20 years.   “He attacked me on Jan. 18, 2024,” she said. “He stabbed me all over — 38 stabs from my face, the entire body, even my internal organs, my... https://www.voanews.com/a/kenya-records-7-000-cases-of-violence-against-women-since-september-2023/7911373.html https://www.voanews.com/a/kenya-records-7-000-cases-of-violence-against-women-since-september-2023/7911373.html Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:13:39 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Nairobi — Africa's mining sector is witnessing a surge in legal disputes in the Sahel and Central Africa, as mining companies face increasing scrutiny in the countries in which they operate. The disputes stem from tax and customs audits, and a lack of expertise in managing finance, arbitration, and change in legislations in some countries. In a statement Wednesday, officials with the Barrick Gold Corporation said its operating entities in Mali submitted a request for arbitration to the... https://www.voanews.com/a/africa-s-changing-political-scenes-laws-spark-disputes-with-mining-firms-/7908471.html https://www.voanews.com/a/africa-s-changing-political-scenes-laws-spark-disputes-with-mining-firms-/7908471.html Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:06:15 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya's president said Tuesday that a mass livestock vaccination campaign will continue despite fears of some herders and farmers that the inoculations will somehow hurt their animals. Kenyan President William Ruto lashed out at those objecting to a Ministry of Agriculture livestock vaccination program, which the ministry says is aimed at blocking the spread of several diseases and making the livestock meet international standards. Critics have questioned the... https://www.voanews.com/a/kenyan-president-strongly-defends-animal-vaccination-program/7905837.html https://www.voanews.com/a/kenyan-president-strongly-defends-animal-vaccination-program/7905837.html Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:51:52 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) Nairobi, Kenya — Human Rights Watch has accused Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias of rape and other acts of sexual violence against women and girls in South Kordofan state. The rights group says the sexual violence constitutes war crimes, and that it underscores the urgent need for international action to protect Sudanese civilians and deliver justice to the victims. Human Rights Watch says representatives met with raped or sexually abused women in Sudan’s South... https://www.voanews.com/a/human-rights-watch-accuses-sudan-s-rsf-of-rape-sexual-slavery/7903527.html https://www.voanews.com/a/human-rights-watch-accuses-sudan-s-rsf-of-rape-sexual-slavery/7903527.html Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:09:56 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, KENYA — The United Nations, Microsoft and Kenya’s Ministry of Information last week launched a digital and artificial intelligence center in Nairobi to train African public servants and accelerate the development and use of online services. Officials said the program — the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and Africa Centre for Competence for AI and Digital Skilling — aims to improve the skills of 100,000 government workers. U.N. Development Program Regional Director Ahunna Eziakonwa said... https://www.voanews.com/a/un-digital-program-seeks-to-empower-africa-s-public-workers/7896440.html https://www.voanews.com/a/un-digital-program-seeks-to-empower-africa-s-public-workers/7896440.html Tue, 10 Dec 2024 15:16:29 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf) NAIROBI, Kenya — Businesses started by women have received less than 5% of venture capital funding in Africa over the past decade, according to a new report. The report says investment in female-started businesses decreased further last year, frustrating businesswomen and those who want investors to give them greater consideration. Female-founded businesses are the driving force behind innovation and inclusive growth in Africa, but those businesses face many challenges when seeking... https://www.voanews.com/a/africa-women-led-startups-struggle-to-find-investors/7887191.html https://www.voanews.com/a/africa-women-led-startups-struggle-to-find-investors/7887191.html Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:47:04 -0500 Africawebdesk@voanews.com (Mohammed Yusuf)