Africa Daily BBC World Service

Rights groups in Zimbabwe have criticised the deteriorating human rights climate in the country.
Complaints of arbitrary arrests, abductions and harassment have also come from individuals such as politicians and writers. The finger of blame has been pointed at state security forces.
So, what exactly is going on?
In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to the BBC’s Shingai Nyoka in Zimbabwe, and a human right's lawyer who says that defending people who say they have been arrested unjustly by authorities, puts him in a very risky position.

“I concede.”

After a dramatic - and bloody - week of protests on the streets of Kenya, President William Ruto has agreed to ditch his unpopular finance bill. In an address to the nation he said that it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill which would have introduced controversial tax hikes. Protesters say they would have hit the poorest who are already struggling with rising living costs.

On Tuesday, parliament was set ablaze and lawmakers hid in the basement garage after voting for the bill. At least 22 people were killed in the protests.

Now President Ruto says he will enter into a dialogue with the young people who have led the protests.

For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to protesters outside Kenya’s High Commission in London – and gets an explanation of what was behind both the bill and the protests from Julians Amboko, an Economist and Business Journalist based in Kenya.

“People will say nasty things about you in their lyrics. You will then be tempted to respond. That’s how the violence starts” – Molefi “Mantsoaki” Tjemolane – Lesotho musician

Famo music is a genre whose origins can be traced back to the 1920s, among Lesotho’s migrant labourers.

Over time, it became commercial and formed a big part of national culture, enabling artists to make a living and win awards.

But the music is now associated with gangs primarily linked to illegal gold mining in neighbouring South Africa and Lesotho itself.

The main factions are known as Terene, draped in yellow traditional blankets over their shoulders, while Seakhi prefer blue and black blankets.

Now, the government of Prime Minister Sam Matekane has banned some of the groups accused of fueling the violence.

This has angered some musicians.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja
Guests: Lesotho’s Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police Lebona Lephema as well as Famo musician Molefi “Mantsoaki” Tjemolane

When Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja was in Lagos last year, he learned that some parents there are using harmful products on their children in order to lighten their skin and that in some instances parents are unintentionally lightening and damaging their children’s skin.

The usage of skin lightening products is high in Nigeria.

According to the World Health Organisation, the prevalence of skin bleaching varies across the continent in Mali it's 25% while in Nigeria it's 77%, so the market for these products is large and widespread.

In today’s episode, Alan looks at what’s behind this trend and hears from the owner of a natural skin products business on the conversations she’s had with mothers looking for skin lightening products for their young children. And he speaks to a dermatologist on the young and damaged skin she’s seen in her clinic.
With special thanks to producer Chigozie Ohaka.

Today Alan Kasujja sits down with Dr.Philbert Komu from the University of Dar es Salaam and Dr. Gideon Chitanga of the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

They are discussing the role of former liberation movements in Africa’s contemporary politics.

Is their performance in line with the expectations of their nations?

The conversation was sparked by the dismal showing of the African National Congress in South Africa’s May 2024 elections.

Others like Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe have also lost support over the years, relying on rural votes to remain in power.

Although icons like Jomo Kenyatta, Julius Nyerere and Samora Machel are still celebrated to this day, Alan attempts to understand if their ideas still work.

More than 50 defendants are being tried for an attempted coup attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On May 19th, armed men dressed in military attire attacked the home of the economy minister, Vital Kamerhe and later moved on to President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa.
Former Congolese military officer, Christian Malanga, is still expected to face charges for leading this alleged coup, despite being killed by security forces during the attack. Also on trial are three US citizens, one of them is Christian Malanga's 21-year-old son, Marcel.
Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja speaks to the BBC's reporter in the capital Kinshasa, Emery Makumeno.