United Nations Radio

UN and Africa - a weekly 15-minute radio programme on political, social, economic and other developments related to Africa.

The UN appeals for $7 billion for humanitarian operations around the world next year. A number of countries facing humanitarian crisis situations are in Africa. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes urges donors not to cut their budgets for relief aid in the face of the current financial crisis.

Charlize Theron becomes UN messenger of peace

Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron of South Africa becomes a new United Nations messenger of peace, with a focus on ending violence against women. The 33-year old actress is the 10th peace envoy, joining George Clooney, Michael Douglas, British naturalist Jane Goodall, as well as Brazilian author Paulo Coelho.

Guinea Bissau holds smooth elections

Guinea Bissau holds its parliamentary elections without major problems. The spokesman for the UN support office in the country, Vladimir Monteiro, says the new government will face a number of challenges, including fighting the use of the West African country as a transit point for drug trafficking.

Produced by Derrick Mbatha