Former ECOWAS Chief Calls For Peace, Democracy - February 26, 2024

On Daybreak Africa: Central Sahel countries forge military alliances amid rising insecurity. Plus, Chadian opposition political parties hold talks on whether to participate in the May 6 presidential election. Ten months of fighting in Sudan has brought the country’s health care system to near-collapse. Community leaders seek solutions to the conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria. Rwandan President Kagame visits Angola’s President about the conflict in eastern DRC. Sweden officially joins NATO. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

In Sudan, more than 10 months of fighting between two military factions has brought health care to a near-collapse. However, the group - Medical Teams International - is still operating in two states: White Nile and Al Qadarif. Birhanu Waka, Medical Teams International Country Director, tells VOA’s Carol Van Dam, his organization has dozens of clinics that are functioning in the two states, but barely.

West Africa’s three military-led countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger -- say they are forming a joint-counter-terrorism force. The security situation in the Sahel region has deteriorated since the militaries overthrew their respective civilian-led governments due to insecurity and threats from Islamic extremists. But some experts are concerned with the latest move as the countries struggle with poor governance and a suspension of international support. Mohammed Yusuf reports from Nairobi.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame met Monday with Angolan President Joao Lourenco in Luanda for discussions about the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo. DRC has accused Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels, while Rwanda has accused DRC of supporting the FDLR rebels. President Lourenco is the African Union mediator for the conflict between the two nations. The New Times Rwanda quotes President Kagame’s office as saying, “the two heads of state agreed on key steps towards addressing the root causes of the conflict.” Independent Angolan journalist Mario Paiva tells me the Angolan foreign minister says Kagame has agreed to meet soon with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss peace in eastern DRC. VOA’s James Butty spoke with veteran Angolan independent journalist

In Chad, representatives of opposition political parties are holding talks to decide before the end of the week whether to participate in the May 6 presidential election. Members of the umbrella group called GCAP – which represents at least 12 political parties -- are expressing concern about the credibility of the coming poll. Nasour Koursami, leader of the opposition Patriots party and a prominent member of the GCAP, says both Prime Minister Success Masra and military junta leader Mahamat Deby Itno should resign from their positions before contesting as candidates. This, he says, will ensure an equal playing field ahead of the vote. Koursami tells VOA's Peter Clottey, there are genuine concerns that the outcome of the elections is already predetermined.

On Daybreak Africa: Sudan’s army throws cold water on international calls for a ceasefire during Ramadan. Plus, former Ivory Coast President Gbagbo accepts his party’s nomination to stand for the 2025 elections. Rwanda provides a lesson on female empowerment during this Women’s History Month. Campaigning in Senegal’s long-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections begins during Ramadan. The US Army deploys a massive ship to the eastern Mediterranean to begin the construction of a floating pier to deliver aid to Gaza. For this and more tune to Daybreak Africa!

US Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello will travel to Africa and the Middle East from March 11-23. According to the State Department, the visit demonstrates the priority the administration places on ending the Sudan conflict. However, over the weekend, the assistant commander-in-chief of Sudan’s army rejected the calls for a ceasefire. The UN Security Council last Friday called for a ceasefire before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A Sudan analyst has called on the international community to exert maximum pressure on Sudan’s warring parties to reach a ceasefire... Suliman Baldo, director of the Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, tells VOA’s James Butty, a ceasefire is not likely because of the Sudanese army’s demands which, he says, amounts to a complete surrender of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Campaigning began over the weekend for Senegal’s long-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections. This, after the government announced that the polls would take place on March 24. Senegalese political analyst Ibrahima Kane tells VOA’s James Butty, that while Senegalese are ready to finally cast their ballots, having the elections during the month of Ramadan dampens some of the enthusiasm that usually comes with campaigning.

As the world celebrates Women’s History Month this March, the issue of women participation in political leadership, particularly parliament, continues to be a challenge for many countries. But according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Rwanda is one of the leaders, with 61 percent in its legislature. Fatuma Ndangiza is a Rwandan female member of parliament and the East African Legislative Assembly. She said it requires a political will and leadership that favors women’s participation in decision making, and women organizing to advocate for their rights. Ndangiza received an award last week for her commitment to gender equality. She tells VOA’s James Butty, the award is also a recognition of Rwandan women.

In Ivory Coast, former President Laurent Gbagbo over the weekend accepted the nomination of the African People’s Party – Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) to stand for the 2025 elections. Gbagbo returned home in 2021 following his acquittal on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court. Patrice Koute, a member of the PPA-CI, tells VOA’s James Butty, the party demands an overhaul of the electoral list and boundaries