Very significant shock” of lower oil prices in Africa

Eight oil-producing countries in Africa are facing a “very significant” economic shock following the collapse in oil prices over the past two years.  A barrel currently costs around US$50 on global markets, down from a high of US$125. The countries mostly badly hit are Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria and South Sudan. By contrast, oil importing countries are benefitting from the price collapse. Daniel Dickinson has been speaking to Abebe Selassie, Deputy Director in the African Department of the International Monetary Fund.

Burundi: Expert alarmed by “unacceptable” comments about Rwanda genocide

Recent comments by a prominent politician in Burundi stating that the 1994 Rwanda genocide was a “fabrication of the international community” have been branded by a UN human rights expert as “simply unacceptable.” UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng said the statement, published on the website of the ruling political party, known as CNDD-FDD, was inflammatory and could be seen as an incitement to violence. Burundi has been undergoing political turmoil since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would stand for a controversial third term. Hundreds have been killed and more than 250,000 have fled the country. Mr Dieng, who previously worked with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, spoke to Dianne Penn about his concerns.

South Sudan refugees in Uganda receive emergency aid

An emergency aid operation is being implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) in Uganda to assist refugees from South Sudan. Amid reports of “horrific” sexual violence against women, and forced recruitment of boys, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that 100,000 people have fled to Uganda since early July, to escape renewed conflict in the world’s newest nation. Fierce fighting between government and opposition forces in and around the capital city, Juba has led to widespread abuses and tensions across the country. Jocelyne Sambira reports.

Presenter: Matthew Wells

Production Assistant: Ana Carmo

Duration: 10’00″