Brutal killings and abduction of 102 Ethiopian children a “huge issue”

The brutal abduction of more than 100 children on the border between Ethiopia and South Sudan is a “huge issue” for both the countries and families involved. That’s the view of James Elder, who is based in East Africa with the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF. He also condemned the mass killings in the same incident which reportedly took place just inside Ethiopia, believed to have been carried out by armed cattle raiders from South Sudan. South Sudan has been in the grip of a civil war for more than two years which has left millions displaced, and tens of thousands dead. Matthew Wells asked Mr Elder to describe what happened.

Gambia deaths highlight “worsening” pre-electoral environment

The deaths of three activists arrested at a peaceful protest in Gambia are indicative of the alarming political situation in the West African country. That’s according to Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Leading opposition politician, Solo Sandeng, was among the three activists who died when state security forces broke up peaceful protests in mid-April. Demonstrations in Gambia come ahead of elections in December, where President Yahya Jammeh has been in power for more than 20 years. Ravina Shamdasani spoke to Daniel Johnson about the situation.

Somalia “on track” to undergo first democratic elections in 47 years

Somalia remains “on track” to hold its first democratic elections in almost half a century in what’s been described as a “decisive” year for the Horn of Africa country. That’s according to Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud who recently briefed the UN Security Council. He described the elections which are due to take place by August as “historic” although a vote based on universal suffrage is not due until 2020. Matthew Wells has more.

Presenter: Daniel Dickinson

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10'00"