Ndiho Media,LLC.

By Paul Ndiho

African regional blocs are facing significant challenges dealing with coups that are on the rise on the continent. The lack of resources and capacity limited political will and involvement of external actors. However, they are taking sanctions, membership suspensions, and peacekeeping deployments to address coups. Despite the difficulties, regional blocs continue to play a vital role in addressing coups in Africa. For more perspective, via Skype, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Moses Khisa, an Associate Professor of Political Science and Africana studies at North Carolina State University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

By Paul Ndiho

Zimbabwe’s President-elect, Emerson Mnangagwa, was inaugurated for his second term after winning the controversial August elections. Mnangagwa’s party, ZANU-PF, emerged as the winner, securing over 50 percent of the votes. In contrast, the leading opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change, achieved more than 40 percent of the votes. For more insight, VOA’s Paul Ndiho, via Skype, spoke with Ricky Mukonza, a Zimbabwean analyst and professor at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, on what a Mnangagwa second term means for Zimbabweans.

By Paul Ndiho

There is no easy answer to why military coups are happening in Africa or whether they are good or bad; the situation in each country is different. However, it is essential to understand why coups happen so we can take steps to prevent them and promote democratic stability in Africa. For more perspective, VOA’s Paul Ndiho via Skype spoke to Moses Khisa, Associate Professor of Political Science and Africana Studies) at North Carolina State University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

By Paul Ndiho

Steam Fun Fest was borne out of the need for young people to be equipped with digital skills as the world is experiencing rapid technological growth. STEAM Fun Fest, Nigeria, has taken the whole country by storm. Paul, take it away. Made up of a consortium of leading STEM Educators in Nigeria, this state-of-the-art event welcomed over 6,000 attendees – exposing them to STEAM through career talks and fun, hands-on STEAM activities for young children. I spoke with Titilope Adewusi, co-founder of 9ijakids, one of the brains behind Steam Fun Fest, which recently occurred in Lagos, Nigeria.

By PauL Ndiho

Clashes have erupted again in some areas in Ethiopia’s Amhara region after a week of relative calm, with at least ten civilian deaths reported. Earlier this month, Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives voted in favor of the state of emergency declared by the federal government over violence in the Amhara region. The military intervention comes from clashes between federal troops and a local militia, Fano, who have refused to comply with a government order to disarm and demobilize regional special forces. The Voice of America has made several attempts to reach the Ethiopian government official and the spokesperson for the Prime minister’s office for a reaction to these allegations of killings in the Amhara region. Still, we were told to follow the regular updates of the state of emergency command center. In an interview with VOA’s Paul Ndiho, Omar Mohamed, the Amhara People’s Front public relations officer, discusses whether this escalation could have been prevented.

By Paul Ndiho

In a recent interview, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, Overall coordinator of the African Election Observers Network based in Kampala, Uganda, observed that President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been in power for 14 years in the oil-mineral rich Central African country was ripe for a coup because he had not allowed independent voices or opposition to thrive and as result what was happening in West Africa, was most like to occur in Gabon.

By Paul Ndiho

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected for a second and final five-year term late Saturday in results announced over the weekend. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and his party, the Citizens Coalition for Chang, have rejected the election results. Meanwhile, international election observers said the vote did not meet international standards and was conducted in a “climate of fear.” In contrast, the observer team from the Southern African Development Community said voting was peaceful. For more perspective, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, the African Elections Observer Network coordinator based in Kampala, Uganda. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, coordinator of the African Elections Observer Network based in Kampala, Uganda.

By Paul Ndiho

People in Gabon cast their ballots on Saturday as voters in the central African nation looked to elect new local leaders, legislators, and a president. Incumbent Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, is seeking a third term that could extend his family’s 55-year political dynasty. Locals complained that voting was delayed and did not begin until late morning. According to witnesses, dozens waited outside polling stations in central Libreville, whose streets were surprisingly almost deserted. And international observers were not allowed into the country. For more insight, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, Overall coordinator of the African Election Observers Network based in Kampala, Uganda.

By Paul Ndiho

BRICS leaders announced on Thursday the admission of six new countries from next year as the club of extensive and populous emerging economies seeks to reshape the global order. The BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — agreed at their annual summit to make Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1, 2024. Nearly two dozen countries had formally applied to join the club from across the “Global South,” a broad term referring to non-Western nations. Some 50 other heads of state and government attended the summit, underscoring what BRICS leaders say is the attractiveness of its message. For more perspective, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Paul Nantulya in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, A Research Specialist -At the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, DC.

By Paul Ndiho

In today’s tech segment, we meet Onijah Zani, an extraordinary individual from Lusaka, Zambia, who has turned his passion for airplanes into a remarkable venture. He sculpts aircraft and drones using locally sourced materials like scrap metal and discarded plastic, demonstrating noteworthy creativity. Onijah Zani, a self-taught drone maker/pilot, fulfills his childhood dream of becoming a certified drone pilot, showcasing his remarkable talent and determination in aviation. His passion for aeronautics led him to launch a drone services and manufacturing startup in Lusaka.