Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa

Donald Trump called for a “revolution of common sense” in his inaugural speech Monday. The swearing in of the 47th president of the United States marked his remarkable return to power since losing his second term bid to Joe Biden in 2020. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House is sparking renewed hope and some apprehension in Africa. Christopher Isike, Director of the African Center for the study of the United States at the University of Pretoria, told VOA’s Chinedu Offor, President Trump's African policies are likely to be transactional

On Daybreak Africa: Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump calls for a ‘revolution of common sense. Plus, we’ll speak with VOA’s chief national correspondent Steve Herman for more on the inauguration. An analyst says Africa should probably expect much of the same from the now 47th US president. We’ll also hear messages from ordinary Africans to the Trump administration. Israelis and Palestinians welcome the beginning of a six-week ceasefire. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

On Daybreak Africa: Nigerian emergency services say the death toll from the explosion of a petrol tanker truck that killed people rushing to gather fuel has risen to 86. Plus, the wife of jailed Ugandan opposition leader Besigye says prison authorities are denying her husband his choice of family supplied food. Kenya deploys more police officers in Haiti to curb gang violence. DRC and Rwandan-backed army are accused of using explosives in densely populated areas. Today is inauguration day for Donald J. Trump. We’ll take a look at his unconventional path to the presidency. The Trump inauguration has been moved indoors due to frigid temperatures. We’ll take you behind the scenes during moving day at the White House. Hamas frees 3 hostages during the ceasefire with Israel For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Amnesty International has released a report accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo army and M23 militia group of using explosives in densely populated areas of eastern DRC. In a report released today (Monday), the rights group Amnesty International urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the accusation and bring the culprits to book. Columbus Mavhunga has details from Harare, Zimbabwe

Over 200 Kenyan police officers have been deployed to Haiti over the weekend. This is the third batch of police from Kenya under the United Nation’s Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. Kenya’s interior ministry said the additional officers will help fight violent gangs that have taken over the troubled Caribbean nation. Maureen Ojiambo reports

The wife of jailed Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye says her husband does not want to go on a hunger strike just to make a point. However, Winnie Byanyima, who is also executive director of the United Nations AIDS agency (UNAIDS), says her husband has been given impossible choices, including life in prison. Dr. Besigye and a co-defendant are on trial in a military court for the unlawful possession of ammunition and a firearm. Byanyima tells VOA's James Butty, prison authorities are denying Dr. Besigye his choice of family prepared food, contrary to prison practices

On Daybreak Africa: The Associated Press reports that the U.S. has imposed sanctions on the leader of Sudan’s military Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Plus, Human Rights Watch says governments and armed groups are intensifying abuses in Africa. Kenya is on high alert as Tanzania grapples with an outbreak of the Marburg. President Boakai suspends the chair of the country’s elections commission. African analysts weigh in on what governing for a second Trump term may look like. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance credits his grandmother and Kentucky roots for his success. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

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. Mohammed Yusuf reports

Liberian President Joseph Boakai this week suspended indefinitely the chair of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Davidetta Browne-Lansanah. This comes as the country is scheduled to hold by-elections in two months. Presidential press secretary Kula Fofana tells VOA’s James Butty, commission chair Browne-Lansanah took unilateral decisions, including the dismissal of 25 employees, without the approval of the NEC Board of Commissioners.

Kenya is on high alert following a Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania that has resulted in 8 deaths. Kenya’s ministry of health says that given the proximity of the Kagera region to Kenya’s border, the government has implemented procedures to manage the health emergencies in the area. As Maureen Ojiambo reports that the World Health Organization says a national rapid team has been deployed to support the Tanzanian government in fighting the disease

On Daybreak Africa: Dozens more people have been injured and many displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent clashes between the Congolese army and M23 fighters, local sources and NGOs said. Plus, Burkina Faso’s military leader bans the use of colonial-style wigs by judges. Botswana records grim statistics on gender-based violence. Mozambique’s president is sworn in amid tight security and protests. The son of a former Malawi president will explain why he is running for the same high office this year. The Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce appeals to incoming Trump administration to renew AGOA and PEPFA. President Biden welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. We’ll have an analysis of the ceasefire agreement. Joe Biden also delivers his final speech as president from the White House. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

Despite efforts by authorities to combat gender-based violence, Botswana saw nearly 100 women raped and another 10 murdered during the late-December festive season. The government has called for collaborative efforts to fight the scourge amid public outrage. From Gaborone, Mqondisi Dube reports

Under tight security measures Wednesday, Mozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, was sworn in as the country’s fifth president. The ceremony took place as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in continued protest against an election they say was rigged. Charles Mangwiro reports from Maputo

In Malawi, Atupele Muluzi, the son of former President Bakili Muluzi, says he’s running for president to bring about transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and a diversified economy. Malawi is one of about 20 African countries that will hold either a presidential or parliamentary election this year. Some Malawians believe the younger Muluzi would not be independent from his father if he becomes president. Atupele Muluzi, leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), says there is a lot to learn from all living former presidents to see what they did right or wrong. He tells VOA’s James Butty, he has his own vision for the development of Malawi.

The Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce has appealed to the incoming Trump administration to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, and the Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, or PEPFA. President of the chamber Sheriff Balogun told VOA’s Chinedu Offor, these policies will boost regional economic growth.

Sierra Leone's minister of information says his country is taking all necessary steps to deal with an outbreak of the mpox disease. This, after the country declared a public health emergency this week after confirming two mpox cases in the capital, Freetown. Sierra Leone is the latest country in West Africa to report the disease after neighboring Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Guinea. Information Minister Chernor Bah, tells VOA's James Butty, Sierra Leone is prepared from its experience with Ebola

The trial of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale resumed Tuesday in a military court. Besigye’s wife said the two were kidnapped in Kenya and brought back to Uganda. They are charged with the unlawful possession of ammunition and a firearm. In a surprise move, the military introduced a new charge of treachery or treason against the two. The court also amended the charge sheet to include a third accused person. Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua, leader of the 32-member defense team, tells VOA’s James Butty, Tuesday was a very frustrating day in court for the defense

The UN child protection agency UNICEF is warning that child abuse is worsening for thousands of children and women in conflict ravaged areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ramatou Toure, UNICEF’S DRC Chief of Child Protection, told VOA’s Chinedu Offor, the year is beginning on a grim note

Rescue operations are underway at a gold mine in South Africa’s Northwest province. Hundreds of illegal miners have been underground for months, and many have already died, as Kate Bartlett reports from Stilfontei