United Nations Radio

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

Thomas Lubanga

- The International Criminal Court holds its first-ever trial of a former warlord, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo who is facing charges of recruiting child soldiers during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Beatrice Le Fraper, the Special Adviser to the ICC Prosecutor says the trial is important for the victims of the violence and the children of Ituri who were systematically recruited by Mr. Lubanga Dyilo and forced to kill, rape, and pillage.

- As Rwandan and Congolese forces conduct a joint operation to disarm Rwandan Hutu militias in the eastern part of the Congo, the UN mission, MONUC says it will provide support to the operation. MONUC's military spokesman Lt. Col. Jean-Paul Dietrich says so far, the operation has not caused massive displacement of civilians in the area.

Crises in Africa increase UNICEF's appeal for funding

Humanitarian Action Report

- UNICEF appeals for over one billion dollars to help children and women around the world. More than half of the funds requested are to support five large humanitarian operations in Africa, including Zimbabwe which is facing a cholera outbreak and economic disaster. UNICEF's Executive Director, Ann Veneman says the people of Zimbabwe cannot afford basic commodities and the country 's education and health sectors have nearly collapsed.

Producer/Presenter: Derrick Mbatha
Editor: Diane Bailey
Production Assistant: Florence Poblete-Enriquez
Studio Engineer: Benji Candelario