By Neelam Rahim

Radio Islam International is joined by Dr Mustafa Mehta, Head of the Africa Desk at the Media Review Network, and Dean of the Faculty of Languages at the Somali National University in a discussion on the Africa Report.

According to Dr Mehta, the situation in Cabo Delgado seems to be calming since there is a slowdown in the rebel activities in the area. The joint SADC, including Rwanda operations, have to a large extent, become effective.

He says the SADC and the Rwanda army’s strategies in Cabo Delgado seem to be working and are effective as they are so far in control and the enemy seems to be suffocated. This last week, a joint Mozambican and Lesotho defence force bust a group of rebels who had destroyed, burnt and killed the people of villages. They were bust and killed, while five others were arrested.

There is progress in Cabo Delgado thanks to the joint SADC countries, including Rwanda, he added.

Update on the upcoming Kenyan elections.

Dr Mehta tells Radio Islam the elections in Kenya have reached pitch level, and they are peaceful. It seems like the elections this time are not just simple politics where people vote for the political party.

He says real issues include issues with the economy, peace and security, and dealing with the endemic corruption in Kenya.

Seen a trend that they have set, Dr Mehta said he wishes many other countries in Africa would follow as they are not just voting for politics but tackling the issues. He further explains that it seems Kenya is tackling the problems that affect the electorate, showing that the country has matured politically. And people will benefit from the political system in the democracy.

Meanwhile, there is tension between Rwanda and the DRC. Dr Mehta said a very worrying trend, and the DRC has been in the hotspot for many years. There was a war fought there years ago which pitted many African armies in the country, and it seems that hatred is still there. He added that the root cause is none other than the suspicions between these two countries. Rwanda suspects the DRC of harbouring the former remanence of the former regime, the Hutu, who fled into the DRC rainforest where they hide and launch attacks against Rwanda.

Listen to the full Africa Report on Radio Islam’s podcast below.