WATCH #AfricaLIVE 1000 GMT on CGTN with Beatrice Marshall

Added: 2026-05-23

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[00:00:31]Hello and welcome to China Global Television Network. This is the world today. I'm Beatress Marshall in Nairobi.

[00:00:40]Pakistan has been pushing for US Iran peace talks which have been stalled for the past 6 weeks since a ceasefire took effect. Washington and Tehran have been unable to agree on several things including Iran's control of the straight of Homus and its nuclear materials along with Iran's call for guarantees of a permanent end to the war. Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Moshtabah has reportedly issued a directive that Iran's enriched urania must stay in the country. Isan Kivani reports from Tehran. The Pakistani military chief general Assam Müer is supposed to be in today and he's reportedly carrying the latest modified US proposal. According to unconfirmed reports, Iranian officials have asked for more time to study uh this fresh proposal before preparing the response. Uh now that pause wouldn't be unusual. Uh we've seen this pattern over the past weeks. a new proposal arrives and tan takes a couple of days to respond. So the delay itself is not the story. What is significant is what comes next. Foreign media quoting unnamed Iranian officials are reporting that as you said the supreme leader has prohibited sending out the 60% enriched uranium. We cannot verify that. But what we can say is this. uh aside from closing the straight of Hermos which could be resolved sooner or later Iran's most valuable card right now is exactly uh those few hundred kg of highlyenriched material and that brings us to the core obstacle in these talks trust or maybe the complete lack of it Iranian leadership deeply uh mistrust the United States their argument is simple even if there is a peace deal even if Tan agrees to hand over this nuclear material. They say there is no guarantee that the US will not attack Iran again. Remember the US withdrew unilaterally from the 2015 nuclear deal and twice right in the middle of negotiations. The US and Israel attacked Iran, Tan says it cannot trust Washington again inside the establishment here. People are openly saying the possibility of a new military confrontation is very high and the tone has shifted. During the 12-day war last June, Iran showed what the government calls restraint and only attack Israel.

[00:03:15]But during the more recent 40-day war, uh as the supreme leader, the for former supreme leader had warned about Iran turned the conflict into a regional war.

[00:03:26]Now the IRGC is firm. They say if the United States and Israel launch fresh attacks against Iran, the conflict could expand beyond the region. We don't yet know exactly uh what areas that might include.

[00:03:43]>> The US president says there should be no tolls in the straits of Homus and vowed to retrieve Iran's stockpile of highlyenriched uranium. Donald Trump made the remarks to reporters at the White House on Thursday.

[00:03:56]No, no. We get the highlyen rich. We will get it. We don't need it. We don't want it. We'll probably destroy it after we get it, but we're not going to let them have it, >> but we want it open. We want it free. We don't want tolls. Uh, it's international. It's an international waterway. They're not charging tolls.

[00:04:16]>> Trump reiterated that Iran should not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. He suggested that Washington's control of Thran's enriched uranium stockpiles would be part of any potential peace deal with Iran. Kate Fischer reports from Washington DC. There is given the fact the president continues to mention it and the fact that there is still uh a huge military buildup of US uh forces uh in the region. Um, and you know, it's definitely I don't think the drum beatat of war has particularly um been quietened here in Washington.

[00:04:52]Donald Trump continues to say that diplomacy does have its limits. Uh, and he said, you know, in recent days that we may need to hit Iran again. I'm only an hour away from launching an attack.

[00:05:05]Um it's again I think just shows the mixed messages that we have had throughout this entire conflict from the White House over um potential for peace deals, the potential for uh military action. And it's very hard to know exactly uh what the president is thinking from one moment to another. uh but the vibe if uh I can use that word is that he is uh waiting for more diplomacy to to go ahead but is still continuing to put that pressure on the Iranians saying you know the military is there and they're ready to go if I say so.

[00:05:43]Israel says it has deported all activists from a Gaza bound humanitarian aid flotillaa after a video showing the civilian activists kneeling with their hands bound sparked international outrage. Among those detained were an Italian journalist, a lawmaker and the sister of the current Irish president.

[00:06:04]>> As soon as you entered the reception container, they beat you up. They really beat you up. They kicked me in the legs and punched me in the face.

[00:06:14]There was a panic room that they took us into. They handed us our shoes and we couldn't even defend ourselves. We didn't know we were going into this container and there were three people there who saying, "Welcome to Israel," were actually three thugs who beat us savagely.

[00:06:29]>> The civilian aid vessels carrying 428 people were intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters on Monday.

[00:06:36]The activists were then brought to Israel's Ashdod port. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Beng was the one to release the video showing the detainees kneeling bent forward with their heads down and hands bound with zip ties as the Israeli national anthem played loudly. An Israeli human rights group says many reported extreme violence, sexual humiliation, and serious injuries by Israeli forces. The EU and many other nations have denounced the activists treatment and summoned their country's Israeli ambassadors.

[00:07:07]Indonesia condemned the act of torture against its citizens.

[00:07:12]>> I mean, we've seen these totally disgraceful scenes and this video shared by Israeli cabinet Minister Ben Gir, which shows a total disrespect and violation of basic standards of of human dignity in the way that people were being treated.

[00:07:30]>> This treatment is monstrous. It is disgraceful. It is inhumane. I demand a public apology from Israel. I have urgently summoned the Israel embassy's chief of mission to the foreign office to convey our complete rejection, our utter condemnation, and our profound revulsion at this abominable and unacceptable treatment.

[00:07:50]>> Israelis are also outraged by the treatment of Gaza flotillaa activists.

[00:07:54]Jonathan Rig reports from Tel Aviv.

[00:07:57]>> So among Israelis, the the whole issue of the flotillas is is controversial. There's a big question as to how should they they be treated.

[00:08:06]Should they be allowed to Gaza or or not. One thing that I think the vast majority of Israelis would agree to is that the treatment towards this flotillaa was far from the way that it should have been done. And and it can be compared with what happened just a few weeks ago. About 3 weeks ago, another flotillaa to Gaza was stopped at sea in in in a a similar shape in a similar way. Back then, Israel quietly released all of the almost all of the activists far away from Israel's shores in Greece. Even the people who were brought to detention, two only two activists were brought to detention in Israel. And that was done quietly and pretty fast. They were deported. This time, hundreds of activists were brought back to Israel. We already heard their voices saying how they were treated violently. the whole video of it, all that creating a lot of criticism in Israel, stopping the flotilla is one thing. Doing it in in a matter that that most most Israelis would would qualify as stupid to say the least. That's another thing. And most Israelis strongly oppose that. Not the fact that the flotilla was stopped, but the way that it was stopped this time around.

[00:09:19]The US has indicted Cuban revolution leader Rahul Castro and five others on alleged charges of the death of US nationals and the destruction of civilian aircraft. Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel has denounced the move as politically motivated and lacking legal bases. Luise Cherino reports from Havana.

[00:09:39]>> Cuban leaders including Prime Minister Manuel Moreno called the accusations against Rahul Castro despicable. The aircraft carrier USS Nimmits arrived in the Caribbean on the same day the US announced the indictment, escalating tensions between the two countries.

[00:09:54]Acting US Attorney General Tud Blanch announced a superseding indictment during a ceremony in the city of Miami, home to a large Cuban community. The charges included conspiracy to murder US nationals and their destruction of their aircraft. Cuban President Miguel deanel called the indictment a political action without any legal basis. Both the president and Cuba's foreign minister denounced the move. The president said Cuba down the planes as a legitimate act of self-defense and insisted the action took place inside Cuba's territorial borders.

[00:10:27]>> I think this is a very big day, very important day.

[00:10:30]>> Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said it was a very big day for Cubans. Over the past weeks, the White House issued new sanctions against Cuban companies and individuals. It also threatened international companies doing business with Cuba. In response to the US action, the Cuban people plan to demonstrate in front of the US embassy in Havana on May 22nd to condemn the indictment US sanctions against Cuba and to express full support for former Cuban President Rahul Castro. Lucidino CGTN Havana.

[00:11:01]>> The latest wave of the Ebola virus has been spreading rapidly in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The health ministry has recorded 160 suspected Ebola deaths out of 670 suspected cases. Congalles authorities are working with international health experts to curb the spread of the virus which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern. Chriso Chaminga reports from Kinshasa.

[00:11:29]Health officials have intensified efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in it province in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Testing, patient isolation, and infection prevention and control measures have been stepped up as the number of cases continues to rise. Experts say the outbreak is caused by the rare Bunduja strain for which no approved vaccine currently exists. Scientists are evaluating prevaccines previously used for other Ebola strains to determine their effectiveness against the current outbreak. The World Health Organization says rehydration therapy and medications used to manage Ebola systems can help save lives if patients are treated early. An awareness campaign has been launched to educate communities on how to avoid contracting the highly contagious disease. Meanwhile, authorities in the capital have cancelled a preparatory football match involving the national team ahead of their World Cup appearance in an effort to avoid large gatherings that could potentially spread the virus. No Ebola cases have been reported in Kenshasa so far. This latest Ebola outbreak is the 17th recorded in the DRC since 1976. It has occurred in a conflict zone with thousands of displaced people, which further complicates response efforts.

[00:12:48]The government has pledged to strengthen security in the region to enable health workers to trace patients effectively and bring the outbreak under control.

[00:12:57]Chris Oaminga, CGTN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

[00:13:03]>> And we'll bring you more on the Ebola outbreak in our Africa live program coming up next.

[00:13:11]>> We'll leave it there on this edition of the World Today. I'll be back shortly with more news from the continent in Africa live. Thanks for watching.

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[00:15:32]Ebola cases rise as crowd burns isolation tents in Diar Congo after burial dispute.

[00:15:42]In Mali, an insurgent blockade intensifies as fuel trucks burn outside Bamako.

[00:15:52]And the UN warns that civilians in conflict countries are paying a devastating price emerges world leaders to protect them.

[00:16:01]I'm Beatress Marshall in Nairobi.

[00:16:03]Welcome to Africa Live. Also ahead in the program.

[00:16:07]In business news, Rwanda central bank raises its policy rate by 180 points amid global crisis.

[00:16:16]And in your sport, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC forces the Leopards to alter their pre-ournament plans for the World Cup.

[00:16:25]We begin in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rumors, fear, and anger over a new Ebola outbreak is spreading as rapidly as the infection itself. In one town, a crowd burnt Ebola isolation tents and attacked a hospital during a b a dispute over a burial. Health officials warned the virus has now spread hundreds of kilometers beyond the original outbreak zone with South Ko province recording the latest cases.

[00:16:52]CGTN's Caroline B with more.

[00:16:57]Outside a hospital in the town of Rampara in Eastern Province, crowds demanded the release of the body of a man believed to have died from Ebola.

[00:17:06]Witnesses say a dispute over the victim's burial boiled over into violence and moments later the crowd torched an Ebola isolation center and attacked a waiting ambulance.

[00:17:20]>> We came to bury my son and then we saw these people coming in numbers asking for the body of someone called Ellie.

[00:17:26]They started throwing stones and set fire to the tents and my son's body was left burned there. We had already prepared a coffin for him. With this Ebola outbreak, it's complicated.

[00:17:36]>> Health officials warn that safe barriers are vital as a virus can spread through contact with infected bodies.

[00:17:43]Authorities say the crowds targeted the very facilities set up to save them at a time when health workers are racing to stop the outbreak from spreading further.

[00:17:54]>> We were alerted of this public disorder and upon our arrival, we saw the damage.

[00:18:00]There are tents with eight beds that have been completely banned. They were set up for the Ebola response. A body waiting to be buried today was also banned. This misunderstanding comes from people who do not yet understand the reality of this disease. really.

[00:18:20]>> The World Health Organization says more than 600 suspected cases and at least 139 suspected deaths are now linked to the outbreak in the DRC and neighboring Uganda. Health experts warn the confirmed cases likely represent only a fraction of the real scale of the outbreak, which has spread across densely populated areas.

[00:18:41]Now officials under the M23 armed group say the outbreak has spread into South Ko province hundreds of kilometers from it the original epicenter.

[00:18:52]>> I officially declare the outbreak of Ebola in South Ko province specifically in the Mim or Hesa health zone. As of May 20th 2026 two suspected cases have been reported including one confirmed case and one recorded death. WHO has classified it as a public health emergency of international concern and the situation is evolving rapidly. It needs immediate mobilization from both the health services and the population.

[00:19:19]>> In a region already weakened by conflict and displacement, health workers face a dangerous battle containing the deadly virus while trying to rebuild public trust. The outbreak involves the rare bundio strain of Ebola, a strain with no approved vaccine and whose testing capacity in the DRC is only limited to six tests per hour. WH experts say two possible vaccines are under consideration but could take 3 to 9 months to be developed. Caroline B, CGTN.

[00:19:51]>> Staying in DRC and in the city of Buna, grieving families, overwhelmed health workers and anxious residents are struggling to cope as the World Health Organization warns the scale of the outbreak may be far larger than first reported. CGTN Shahon Baranga reports.

[00:20:11]Women cried outside an ambulance in the eastern congalles city of Buna on Thursday as health workers in protective suits handled the body of a man who died from Ebola.

[00:20:23]The outbreak is centered in Ituri province where health authorities say fear and rumors are complicating efforts to contain the virus.

[00:20:34]What we saw here is the result of the lack of communication we have had around this virus. So since the disease arrived as you know the first case was reportedly recorded here in Balu and it is from there that the disease completely spread.

[00:20:53]The World Health Organization says there are now hundreds of suspected Ebola cases in Congo and neighboring Uganda with more than 100 suspected deaths already linked to the outbreak. Health experts warn the real numbers may be even higher because the virus circulated undetected for weeks. As fear spreads, so do rumors about why people are dying.

[00:21:19]So at that time we were told that there was a mystical coffin that comes at night and that this is what was killing people. There were even neighborhoods in Mangolu that started to empty out because people were dying in waves and no one was able to tell people what had happened. So this lack of communication, this absence of communication from the health authorities and the province is what allowed rumors to take over and it is what continues to this day.

[00:21:52]>> Across Buna, residents are taking precautions where they can, washing hands, avoiding crowds, and trying home remedies they believe might offer protection.

[00:22:05]First, every morning before leaving the house, after washing myself, I eat garlic, onions, and lemons to protect myself. Before starting work as a taxi driver, I begin by washing my hands here in this hospital sink. I do not take all passengers on my motorcycle since I am here in front of the hospital. I mostly take those who come to visit patients.

[00:22:25]We choose passengers when getting on the motorcycle. We make an effort to protect ourselves from Ebola as best as we can.

[00:22:32]Even in 2018, we only protected ourselves like this. We had no choice.

[00:22:38]>> Health workers continue it infection efforts and public hygiene campaigns, but mistrust remains a major challenge.

[00:22:46]Eastern Congo has faced multiple Ebola outbreaks before, each marked by resistance to health measures, rumors, and deep public fear.

[00:22:56]Sharon Baranga, CGTN.

[00:23:01]Well, CGTN's Jaffa Alcanti is in GMA joining us live with the very latest from there. Jaffa, what is the situation of the outbreak where you are?

[00:23:12]>> Yeah, in GMA things seems to be under control as authorities of the rebellion AFCM23 said because now it's like 5 days without any new case except the first one. So, GMA still have only one positive case. And we saw that uh we are seeing that in the city many people start understanding they are now washing their hands and putting uh facial mask and in all entrances of the town here in DRC people used to leave their vehicles and wash hands before getting in the city of GMA. Well, we've seen reports, Jaffa, of violence over a burial and and even some of the Ebola measures. Why is mistrust and misinformation still a major obstacle to controlling the outbreak?

[00:24:08]>> Uh in our culture here, we say that there is no one without two. Uh we saw it in 2019.

[00:24:15]young people was manipulated by politicians to uh say that this anora outbreak is not a really outbreak is also but is uh a deal of government to delayed election and I can say that even this outbreak arrived at a bad moment you know that uh this is the last year of the president then there is the outbreak. So I am fearing that people will uh bring one more time the first allegation of 209 to this outbreak because what I saw in Rampara is exactly what started in Bhut in 2019. people still think that a bora is a deal of uh white people, western powers and also local politician to kill people so that to get power and money and unfortunately if many people get this belief then the response to this outbreak will be a problem like the n 2019 outbreak. So how much of that misinformation and mistrust is spreading and how are authorities fighting both the mistrust and the outbreak?

[00:25:38]>> The speed is at a high level you know nowadays with WhatsApp for Rome with social media. Uh only one guy can just put a message in a group of 500 people and then 500 people will trust him. And unfortunately we can't stop it and only one way is to give uh to this response a good communication what doesn't exist till now because here in GMA or even in it where uh the outbreak is so serious the epicenter of of the outbreak we are not seeing awareness message what can help to uh to cut off uh the rumors as people can now trust the real communicators but unfortunately till now we are not seeing good communication on this outbreak.

[00:26:35]>> All right, Jaffa Alcanti joining us there from GMA in the DRC. Meanwhile, Uganda has suspended all public transport with the DRC for 4 weeks to curb the spread of Ebola. The health ministry says crossber bus services, feries and flights are temporarily halted, but goods and food deliveries will continue. With nearly 65 people under quarantine, health authorities there are stepping up screening, testing, and public awareness while restricting large gatherings. They are also responding to a recent decision by the US to impose travel restrictions on non US citizens traveling from Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan. Officials say the US is overreacting and that Uganda has the capacity to contain outbreaks.

[00:27:22]>> You know, we've handled cases of abort and other epidemics for a number of years. There is capacity within the country to contain these epidemics. We have about 65 contacts who are being quarantined in isolation centers and nine of them had developed symptoms but they have all tested negative for for Ebola and we have established quarantine centers three of them when that aid was still flowing definitely it would help especially in supporting screening services laboratory services and others But where we have had to do adjustments, use our locally available resources to be able to contain the situation.

[00:28:15]>> Well, those new US travel restrictions have disappointed many football fans who are planning to travel to support their teams in next month's World Cup. CGTN's Chris Oaminga has more from Kinshasa.

[00:28:30]A group of supporters of the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team goes through a practice session in the capital Kinshasa. The DRC is a nation of football lovers. The country's team, the Leopards, qualified for the World Cup in March after beating Jamaica by a goal to nil. The victory marked the country's first World Cup qualification in 52 years. But these supporters will not be allowed to travel to the US following restrictions imposed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the Ebola outbreak.

[00:29:06]The decision has left many supporters disappointed.

[00:29:12]>> For me, that news is very sad because the match cannot be played without the supporters of that country. Supporters are like the 12th player. When we cheer them on, it gives the players extra motivation. America claims to be a great power. It should be powerful in everything. Do the tests. If you have a bowler, you stay. If you don't, you go.

[00:29:33]A US official said the Congolese football team would not be affected by the travel restrictions because the players played their club football outside the affected region. But that has done little to console the frustrated fans.

[00:29:49]Their intention is to ruin our morale because they know that the DRC is going for the World Cup and will return with the trophy.

[00:30:02]>> So, the Americans don't want us to go to their country. We should also chase them from ours because we have the Ebola disease. They should just let us go and support our team. It's clear they are afraid of how powerful our team is. The Ebola outbreak in the northeast of the DRC has spread rapidly since it was officially declared last Friday. The government is working with international health experts to contain the spread of the disease.

[00:30:32]>> We have deployed equipment to set up care centers because we must be very cautious in the organization of care. We have therefore brought protective equipment for both health care workers and patients. We are focusing on protection to prevent contamination.

[00:30:48]>> The government has also cancelled a match that its national team was planning in the capital Kinshasa because of the Ebola outbreak. The DRC will face Portugal in its opening match in the US city of Houston on June 17th.

[00:31:05]The US travel ban on citizens from Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo following the rapid spread of the Ebola outbreak in northeastern Congo has shattered the hopes of thousands of football fans here in the DRC. Many of them had planned to travel to the United States to support their team. Chris Oaminga, CGTN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

[00:31:30]>> Well, let's broaden this conversation.

[00:31:32]Dr. Nikki Gomemed Mleti, the WHO, regional advisor and medical veriologist. He's joining us via Zoom from Nairobi. Dr. Mlete, thank you for joining us on the program. Just how bad is the Ebola outbreak?

[00:31:46]>> So, the Ebola is considered to be very severe and as rapidly escalating with hundreds of suspected cases reported across DRC indicating a significant public health threat. As you know that the strain that is causing this outbreak is a very rare strain with no approved vaccines making control efforts more difficult compared to previous Ebola outbreak. And then also it it resulted to uh to be a high mortality with over 100 deaths that everybody is aware of already reported and a case fatality estimated to be around 25 and 40% which underscores its dangerous nature. As you know that WHO has actually declared it as a public health emergency of international concern reflecting its seriousness and potential of the spread.

[00:32:39]>> So how is the the World Health Organization dealing with the spread of the outbreak?

[00:32:45]>> Okay. as WHO has activated the highest level of global alert which is fate fake to mobilize the international attention funding and also coordinated action amongst countries and partners. So the organization has supporting surveillance conduct tracing system to quickly identify new cases and break the transmission strain. So in addition to that we know that who has actually deployed quite a number of commodities uh starting from the medical supplies the laboratory capacity as well as the technical expertise including the diagnostic and infection prevention support in affected uh regions.

[00:33:28]>> So um this is not the first time that uh Ebola has been detected in the DRC. What are the causes of the spread and how is the World Health Organization dealing with the cause?

[00:33:41]>> The outbreak is spreading primarily through the direct contact with infected bodily fluid such as uh blood, vomit, contaminated material which is typical of Ebola transmission. And then let's not forget also that the uh the origin of this kind of an outbreak is very zonotic. Therefore the human and animal interaction this also contribute to have this typical Ebola transmission. Let's not forget also the crossber movement and high population movement especially in mining region and urban centers.

[00:34:16]These are accelerating the spread between the countries and the the weak health infrastructure security challenges and also difficult terrain terrains are affecting are really affecting the the response efforts.

[00:34:34]>> All right, Dr. Gomemed Mlete joining us there via Zoom. Thank you. Well, global health officials warned that the Ebola outbreak may be far more widespread than current figures suggest. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation says the more than 600 suspected infections and over 130 reported deaths likely represent only a fraction of the outbreak's true scale. A confirmed case in South Ku, another province in eastern DRC, has raised more concerns about the outbreak expanding into new areas. The outbreak involves the Bundi Boogio strain of Ebola which has no approved vaccine or treatment.

[00:35:14]The UN is warning that civilians are paying an increasingly devastating price in conflicts around the world. Briefing the Security Council, top humanitarian officials said attacks on civilians and a growing disregard for international humanitarian law are worsening human suffering across multiple war zones, many in Africa. They are now urging world leaders to recommmit to protecting civilians and ending impunity. CGTN's Joy Kirki Juma has the details.

[00:35:43]One civilian was killed approximately every 14 minutes in 2025.

[00:35:51]These are only the deaths that the United Nations could document across 24 armed conflicts. We know the real toll is far higher.

[00:35:59]>> The warning came at a United Nations Security Council briefing where humanitarian officials painted a grim picture of the human cost of war. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says documented civilian deaths across conflict zones continues to rise with a toll expected to be significantly higher than verified figures. Officials warned that civilians are increasingly being targeted while legal protections meant to shield non-competents are being weakened.

[00:36:31]>> These patterns are result of choices.

[00:36:35]the choice by parties to conflict to ignore the obligations to protect civilians and too often to target them.

[00:36:42]>> The International Committee of the Red Cross echoed those concerns, warning that the scale of destruction and suffering seen in conflicts today no longer reflects respect for international humanitarian law. We can no longer pretend that what we are witnessing across war zones is in accordance with the law. Not the scale of destruction, not the scale of suffering, and not the language being used to justify it. Humanitarian leaders say in check violence and increasingly permissive interpretations of wartime conduct are threatening both civilian lives and the global rules designed to protect them. They're now urging member states to move beyond statements of concern and commit to concrete action.

[00:37:28]Jordan, speaking on behalf of a coalition supporting stronger adherence to international humanitarian law, announced plans to host a high level conference on humanity and war later this year.

[00:37:41]>> Together, we must uphold humanity in war. With conflicts escalating and global tensions deepening, the United Nations says protecting civilians is no longer just a legal obligation, but an urgent test of global responsibility.

[00:37:57]Joy Kiruki Juma, CGTN.

[00:38:01]In Mali, dozens of vehicles, including fuel, tankers, trucks, and minibuses have been torched near the capital Bakaco as insurgents intensify a fuel blockade aimed at crippling the country's economy. Verified videos show rows of burnt vehicles about 45 kilometers west of the city with drivers reportedly ordered out before the vehicles were set ablaze. The Al Qaeda linked group Jinim has tightened its blockade following recent attacks on Bamako. Before the latest attack, the fuel crisis resulting from the blockade had appeared to be easing. Mali, heavily reliant on fuel imports from neighboring countries, has seen more than 100 fuel trucks destroyed or seized since last year. Military ruler General Asimig Goa, who took power in a 2020 coup, promising to restore security, is facing growing pressure as insurgent attacks continue despite military operations and support from Russian mercenaries.

[00:39:00]Let's cross over to Mhamad Tapili. is in Bamako in Mali joining us live from there. Tapili uh what more can you tell us about the torching of vehicles near the capital?

[00:39:13]>> Oh well uh I mean couple of days ago since the blockade has been uh imposed by the gen members. So the uh uh the uh people I mean since the imposition of this blockade from the genian people uh there's a really frustration that grows among the population here and in the region in the main access part of the country uh like hey sir mama tapi joining us there from bamako Apologies for that technical hitch.

[00:39:51]You're watching Africa Live. Still ahead on the program.

[00:39:57]Ronda Central Bank raises its policy rate by 100 basis points amid a global crisis and end Africa conference spotlights the role of AI in transforming the continent's energy sector.

[00:40:16]You don't find the stories of North Africa by sitting on the sidelines.

[00:40:23]>> You've got to get out. Go there and you'll find them in the bizaars of Kazablanca among the crowds in Cairo who come to visit Cairo, the ancient capital of Egypt.

[00:40:40]Along the waters of the Nile, along the sands of the Sahara, no one else will take you where we can in North Africa. No one else will show you what it's all about.

[00:40:58]CGTN. See the difference.

[00:41:11]Ronda Central Bank has raised its policy rate by 100 basis points to 8.25% its second consecutive hike despite the turbulent global economic backdrop. The bank said the domestic economy looked resilient. Real GDP grew by 9.4% 4% in 2025 and an economic activity index suggests demand continued growing in the first quarter of this year. The Apex Bank now expects inflationary pressures to remain throughout 2026 due to the Iran war and domestic factors like weaker food supply. It projects an average headline inflation of 13.9% in 2026, up from a forecast of 9.4% given at February's policy meeting.

[00:41:55]This year's Bashara Africa conference has concluded in the Togoiz capital.

[00:42:00]Organizers said the private sector trade platform aimed to push intra African trade beyond ambition and into active implementation. The head of the African continental free trade agreement who hosted the event described it as a major success. CGTN Zawadi Mudbo had a chance to sit down with Wmen. He called for efforts to reduce the cost of trade financing and gave his thoughts on China's new zero tariff regime for 53 African countries. Well, first I think uh trade facilitation measures are critical for countries that are landlocked. So for example uh uh transit ensuring that uh rules for transit facilitate the the the in and out movement of goods uh custom systems that are interoperable as well as uh trade facilitation measures. These are very very critical pillars. If you are a landlocked country, if you are Chad, uh or if you are Malawi, uh it's very important that um as part of your trade uh strategy, you you focus on transit of goods um trade facilitation measures as well as custom systems harmonization with your neighboring countries. You spoke about the implementation being very critical uh with the private sector's help and you commended a couple of multilateral institutions on the continent. What are you seeing as the next steps going forward?

[00:43:33]Well, I would like us to intensify our engagement with the private sector in reducing the cost the private sector and development finance uh institutions to reduce the cost of trade finance um particularly formemes. As you know many many of uh our development finance institutions provide uh lending to commercial banks for onward lending. uh we would like to see that cost of uh trade finance being reduced uh particularly for for small medium enterprises that is one of the constraints. I am conscious of where we come from as a continent. Um I am conscious of the fact that for 70 70 years or more >> since the end of colonialism we have been very fragmented as a continent 72 uh 42 currencies rather we're 42 currencies in Africa. Uh we trade more with the outside world than than we do amongst ourselves. So these fragmentations are are deeply rooted and uh I think that uh we have to recognize it will it it will not we will not be able to remove this fragmentation overnight. We have had China uh roll out the China Africa zero tariff. uh does that challenge you as FCFTA and do we have the capacity to be able uh to add value locally and boost up uh our production capacity and exports? The offer by China to 53 African countries duty-free cotree market access is welcomed and appreciated.

[00:45:24]uh however we have to look at how much export capacity do we have to the Chinese market if we don't have adequate export capacity what measures are we going to put in place with China as our development partner what joint measures are we going to put in place to build that export capacity so in other words um we are talking about investment trade uh we want to be able to invest in industrial capacity, industrial output for trade not only amongst ourselves but with others. An example that I can cite here um African has invested billions and billions of dollars in industrial development to enable countries uh to uh uh uh have value added production.

[00:46:18]That is when we will be able to make use of this significant gesture by China. If we are able to export to China through a wellestablished export base, then I believe um this will be a very useful tool that they've offered us.

[00:46:37]The role of artificial intelligence in transforming Africa's energy sector was in the spotlight at a conference in Cape Town and Lit Africa brought together global industry leaders to shape the continent's energy future as millions across Africa still live without reliable electricity and water. CGTN's Julie Shia reports.

[00:46:58]>> For years, South Africa's energy conversation was dominated by rolling blackouts and crisis management. But at this year's Inlit Africa Conference in Cape Town, the focus shifted to the future. With more than a year without rotational load shedding, industry leaders say artificial intelligence could now transform how electricity is generated, distributed, and managed across the continent.

[00:47:21]>> The development of the continent is going to be um dependent on us being able to get into those newer technologies, not just in the energy sector. We talked about renewable energy, but also in terms of software development, homegrown AI, um, in terms of the sovereignty of our data, sovereignty of AI with within the African continent.

[00:47:42]>> African governments and utilities are increasingly turning to AIdriven forecasting, smart grids, and predictive maintenance to manage demand and bring light to 600 million people still living without power. In South Africa, an intelligent metering program, launched by its state utility, Escom tracks electricity usage and monitors aging infrastructure >> with smart meters both on electricity and water. It generates an amazing amount of data that used to not be available to utilities. Now that the data is available to utilities, they need to decide how to use it best to enhance revenue and to provide a service to their customers.

[00:48:26]>> The rapid adoption of AI in business and daily life is also driving investment into the infrastructure and data centers powering the digital economy. We've now got to get maturity, stability, policy integration that will give that investment certainty. Even if we are battling with a lower overall economic and outlook because of the geopolitical tensions, we do need to look for those um sort of elements where we can find sort of additional growth. That's that's going to be key to success.

[00:48:56]>> I think in China maybe something can be learned. For example, whatever in the electricity industry or in the AI development, China is in the leading place, AI is a crucial technology. And to be honest, nowadays in Africa, maybe the perimeter detection, visualize our AI algorithm is popular and deployed a lot. African nations are racing to secure energy stability, expand basic services, and drive industrialization while confronting aging infrastructure, climate pressure, and rapid urban growth. But artificial intelligence emerging as one of the sector's biggest disruptors could also help bridge Africa's energy divide. Judy Shara, CTN, Cape Town.

[00:49:54]And we start your sports with news related to the FIFA World Cup that kicks off in North America next month. The Ebola outbreak in the Eastern DRC has hit the Leopards pre-ournament plans.

[00:50:04]Officials have cancelled a 3-day training camp as well as a planned farewell event for fans in the capital Kinshasa. CGTN's Enoxy Kolia tells us more.

[00:50:15]The DRC qualified for the 2026 World Cup in March