Daybreak Africa - VOA Africa Voice of America (VOA)

On Daybreak Africa: Botswana churches oppose a gay rights proposal. Plus, Kenya is mourning the death of its Chief of Defense Forces and nine other senior military personnel. Hospitals in eastern DRC face vaccine shortages. South Sudan assures South African President Ramaphosa that elections will take place this year. Rhino poaching in Nambia is on the rise in the first quarter of 2024. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

Kenya is mourning the death of its Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine other military personnel on Thursday. They had been inspecting the North Rift region where the military is conducting an operation against banditry when their helicopter crashed. President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning beginning Friday.

South Sudan’s minister of foreign affairs and international relations says his government assured South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that South Sudan will hold its first election since independence at the end of this year. President Ramaphosa, chair of the African Union-appointed High Level Ad hoc Committee on South Sudan, concluded a three-day visit to Juba on Thursday. The opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar, has said the country is not prepared to hold free, fair, and credible elections because the government is far behind in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan, tells VOA’s James Butty, the country is on track to implement the agreement culminating in elections in December.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in the Beni and Butembo regions, parents are finding it hard getting vaccines for their children. Health care providers report that vaccines have been in short supply for several months, leaving thousands of children unvaccinated. Parents worried about their children's health are calling on authorities to quickly resolve the situation. Zanem Nety Zaidi reports from Goma

On Daybreak Africa: The UN rights chief calls for action to prevent violence in DRC. Plus, the US sanctions four former Malawi government officials for alleged corruption. East Africa is experiencing heavy rains. A Liberian political leader vows to continue engaging for fundamental change in the country. Namibia’s Nama community rejects green-Hydrogen port. Uganda beefs up security as President Museveni prepares to meet with protesting five-day traders today, Friday. Jordan’s King Abdullah says his country will not be a battleground in the Israel-Iran confrontation. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

On Daybreak Africa: Uganda beefs up security amid a five-day protest by traders. Plus, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya tenders his resignation. We’ll speak with a Libyan-American businessman who left Libya on Tuesday. A State Department spokesperson discusses US assistance to Sudan. Sudanese child refugees long for peace as they try to cope with losses. A member of Chad’s main opposition discusses campaigning for the May 6 election. Nigeria’s President says his country will no longer pay ransoms to armed gangs. President Biden and former President Trump support Israel’s fight against Hamas and Iran. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!