Cattle rustling is no longer just a local crime, it's become a major driver of violence and instability in parts of West Africa.

A new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, reveals how armed groups like JNIM are using stolen livestock to fund operations across the Sahel, and how the trade is spilling over into neighbouring countries like Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

The report also highlights the role of state-backed forces in this illegal economy.  

Thabiso Lehoko spoke to Flore Berger, a senior analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and the lead author of the report...

Cattle rustling is no longer just a local crime, it's become a major driver of violence and instability in parts of West Africa.
A new report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, reveals how armed groups like JNIM are using stolen livestock to fund operations across the Sahel, and how the trade is spilling over into neighbouring countries like Ghana and C&ocirc;te d'Ivoire.
The report also highlights the role of state-backed forces in this illegal economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Thabiso Lehoko spoke to Flore Berger, a senior analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and the lead author of the report...

An English news and current affairs wrap with a fresh take on the day’s top stories, hosted by the seasoned journalist Tsepiso Makwetla.

An English news and current affairs wrap with a fresh take on the day&rsquo;s top stories, hosted by the seasoned journalist Tsepiso Makwetla.

Africa Hour

Africa World Hour 

Cattle rustling fuels Sahel violence

The public hearings into Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 have now concluded, marking the end of a key consultation phase in the country's constitutional reform process.

The hearings, which were conducted across all ten provinces, ran from 30 March to 2 April 2026 and allowed citizens to present their views on the proposed changes. They formed part of a broader 90-day public consultation period that began after the Bill was gazetted in February 2026.

 The conclusion of the hearings means that the Bill will now move to the next stages of the legislative process, including parliamentary review, debate, and voting, which are expected to take place after the consultation phase.

 Farai Muroiwa Marapira, ZANU-PF Director for INFORMATION and PUBLICITY spoke to Mpho Sithole.

The public hearings into Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 have now concluded, marking the end of a key consultation phase in the country's constitutional reform process.
The hearings, which were conducted across all ten provinces, ran from 30 March to 2 April 2026 and allowed citizens to present their views on the proposed changes. They formed part of a broader 90-day public consultation period that began after the Bill was gazetted in February 2026.
&nbsp;The conclusion of the hearings means that the Bill will now move to the next stages of the legislative process, including parliamentary review, debate, and voting, which are expected to take place after the consultation phase.
&nbsp;Farai Muroiwa Marapira, ZANU-PF Director for INFORMATION and PUBLICITY spoke to Mpho Sithole.

 Public hearings into Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 have now concluded

South Africa's (SA) Border Management Authority (BMA) is beefing up security to ensure no illegal crossing on the borderline with Mozambique.

The authority says it is also using technology to improve operations and speed up processing times at theLebombo Border Gate between SA and Mozambique. They are confident they will be able to deal with high volume of travellers as many will be crossing the border for the Easter break.

For an update, Mpho Sithole spoke to Mmemme Mogotsi, Deputy Assistant Commissioner: Communications and Marketing at the BMA.

South Africa's (SA) Border Management Authority (BMA) is beefing up security to ensure no illegal crossing on the borderline with Mozambique.
The authority says it is also using technology to improve operations and speed up processing times at theLebombo Border Gate between SA and Mozambique. They are confident they will be able to deal with high volume of travellers as many will be crossing the border for the Easter break.
For an update, Mpho Sithole spoke to Mmemme Mogotsi, Deputy Assistant Commissioner: Communications and Marketing at the BMA.

SA's BMA ensures no illegal crossing on borders

The Burkina Faso military with its allied militias and an Al Qaeda-linked armed group have killed more than 1,800 civilians and forcibly displaced tens of thousands since 2023, this is according to the Human Rights Watch  report released today (Thursday).

The atrocities, including the government's ethnic cleansing of Fulani civilians, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity for which senior leaders on all sides may be liable. The report,  documents the devastating impact on civilians of an armed conflict that has received scant global attention.

To talk to us further on the report Senior researcher within the Africa division of human rights watch Ilaria Allegrozzi spoke to Mpho Sithole.

The Burkina Faso military with its allied militias and an Al Qaeda-linked armed group have killed more than 1,800 civilians and forcibly displaced tens of thousands since 2023, this is according to the Human Rights Watch &nbsp;report released today (Thursday).
The atrocities, including the government's ethnic cleansing of Fulani civilians, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity for which senior leaders on all sides may be liable. The report, &nbsp;documents the devastating impact on civilians of an armed conflict that has received scant global attention.
To talk to us further on the report Senior researcher within the Africa division of human rights watch Ilaria Allegrozzi spoke to Mpho Sithole.

Cattle rustling fuels Sahel violence

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