A story for International Fund for Agricultural Development. IFAD is an international financial institution and specialized United Nations agency based in Rome, the UN’s food and agriculture hub.
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This is a city living with scars. Many are visible, some are not. For Gao’s residents, life changed the day armed extremist groups stormed their city in 2012, driving an estimated 80,000 people to flee with their families, some to other parts of Mali, others to neighbouring countries. For those returning, the well has been vital. Complete story with Don Murray for UNHCR here: https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2019/3/5c90f91f4/bringing-life-city-mali-ravaged-war.html
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On guard: the Senegal jail teaching teenagers to use swords September 20, 2019 THIES, Senegal (Reuters) – Teaching inmates how to handle swords may seem an unlikely approach to prison rehabilitation, but advocates believe the discipline it brings can help improve Senegal’s overloaded youth penal system. At Thies prison, the country’s second-largest, Adama and a handful of other young people move to the rhythm of their fencing coaches’ instructions, the clicking of foils against one another the only sounds piercing the silence. Armed prison guards watch the training hall from a safe distance as the teenagers learn to position their wrists for an attack, sweat dripping down their masks. In a couple of hours, the sportsmates will be inmates again. The weekly fencing school is part of an experiment to help young offenders learn discipline and respect for rules, aiming to smooth their reintegration into society. So far 300 girls and boys have undergone the training. “Before doing fencing, I used to get angry really quickly.” said 17-year-old Adama, whose name has been changed to protect his identity. “In fencing, if you get angry easily, you won’t get to stay.” Adama says he’s angry about the fact he’s spent two […]
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After losing most of its territory in Nigeria, Islamist militant group Boko Haram has started to attack neighbouring Cameroon, killing hundreds of people. Maud Jullien went on patrol with the Cameroonian army.
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Burkina Faso’s film festival Fespaco in full swing This week the biennial pan-African film festival, Fespaco, has turned Burkina Faso’s Ouagadougou into the capital of African cinema. More than 100 films are being screened and 19 of them are competing for the prestigious Yennenga award, presented on the weekend. From Ouagadougou, BBC Africa’s Laeila Adjovi reports.
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Syrians have fled across the globe to escape the fighting in their home country. The UN refugee agency has registered some 300 Syrians in Mauritania – one of the poorest countries in the world. Mauritania says hundreds more refugees have arrived who have not registered with the UN and are seeking smugglers to take them through the Sahara and on to Europe. A BBC’s video with Thomas Fessy in Nouakchot, Mauritania’s capital.
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About 5,000 children have been orphaned by Ebola in Liberia. It is another devastating blow to a country that had nearly 1,000 orphans before last year’s outbreak. Many of the children have been left destitute because of stigma.The situation is more difficult for orphans who got infected but survived. But some in the community, like Mercy Washington, have taken it upon themselves to step in. A BBC’s self-authored piece working with Anne Soy and Charlotte Attwood.
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The sport of surfing may not be the first that comes to mind when you think of Senegal, but one man is hoping that is going to change. A BBC’s self authored piece shot and edit in July 2015.
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The “car rapides” is the most popular way of getting around Dakar the senegalese capital. A funny story with Raissa Youssouf for BBC World Service.
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Thirty-three years ago Somnath Mukherjee set out by bicycle on a “peace mission” from India. The aim was to promote international fraternity and friendship. Five years and 98,000km later he arrived in Senegal. He decided to stay and set up home in Senegal, but he brought the music and dance of India with him. A self-authored package broadcast in BBC.
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