Time now to look at the stories making news across North Africa - from shifting political alliances in Sudan and Libya's push for reform, to economic belt-tightening and growing civic unrest.

It's a region navigating high-stakes transitions on multiple fronts. Joining us for a deeper look is veteran journalist Shafiq Morton.

With over four decades in the field, he has reported from across North Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, and authored several books including two focused on Saudi Arabia and Palestine.

Time now to look at the stories making news across North Africa - from shifting political alliances in Sudan and Libya's push for reform, to economic belt-tightening and growing civic unrest.
It's a region navigating high-stakes transitions on multiple fronts. Joining us for a deeper look is veteran journalist Shafiq Morton.
With over four decades in the field, he has reported from across North Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, and authored several books including two focused on Saudi Arabia and Palestine.

Africa Rise & Shine

Rise & Shine

North Africa News Wrap with veteran journalist Shafiq Morton

Good morning and welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. We're coming to you just after World Book Day, a global celebration of books and reading. But beyond the symbolism, it leaves us with a pressing question here in South Africa and across the continent: are we truly building the conditions that allow children not only to go to school, but to become confident readers who understand what they read?The latest evidence continues to point to serious gaps in early reading, with many children still struggling to reach basic reading benchmarks in the first years of school. That raises deeper issues around access to books, the language of learning, classroom support, and the broader ecosystem that supports literacy. To unpack this, we spoke to Caroline Munier, Programme Specialist in the Culture Sector at UNESCO and Thembalethu Shangase, Executive Director of Book Dash, a South African non-profit organisation.

Good morning and welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. We're coming to you just after World Book Day, a global celebration of books and reading. But beyond the symbolism, it leaves us with a pressing question here in South Africa and across the continent: are we truly building the conditions that allow children not only to go to school, but to become confident readers who understand what they read?The latest evidence continues to point to serious gaps in early reading, with many children still struggling to reach basic reading benchmarks in the first years of school. That raises deeper issues around access to books, the language of learning, classroom support, and the broader ecosystem that supports literacy. To unpack this, we spoke to Caroline Munier, Programme Specialist in the Culture Sector at UNESCO and Thembalethu Shangase, Executive Director of Book Dash, a South African non-profit organisation.

Literacy crisis persists as Africa grapples with gaps in early reading and access to learning resources

The war in South Sudan might be far from over... the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in the country has warned that there was limited progress in implementing Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. A delegation from the African Union's Peace and Security Council, arrived in Juba yesterday (Thursday) for a three-day assessment. But the United Nations says South Sudan is headed towards a potential return to full-scale civil war, despite a 2018 peace deal. The country has faced intensified fighting since late 2024, resulting in massive displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.  We spoke to Dr Majak D'Agoot, Former South Sudan Defence Minister

The war in South Sudan might be far from over... the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in the country has warned that there was limited progress in implementing Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. A delegation from the African Union's Peace and Security Council, arrived in Juba yesterday (Thursday) for a three-day assessment. But the United Nations says South Sudan is headed towards a potential return to full-scale civil war, despite a 2018 peace deal. The country has faced intensified fighting since late 2024, resulting in massive displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.&nbsp; We spoke to Dr Majak D'Agoot, Former South Sudan Defence Minister

South Sudan peace deal falters as rising violence sparks fears of renewed civil war crisis

Health experts say Malaria is no longer just a public health concern but an escalating economic threat. They say despite years of intervention, malaria continues to tighten its grip on Africa. Africa bears the world's heaviest malaria burden, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths - figures that signal not just a stalled fight, but a crisis at risk of being normalised.As countries mark World Malaria Day this Saturday the 25th of April, Dr Chris van Straten, Global Health Advisor, Clinical Governance at International SOS has called on businesses to self-assess their commitment and efforts towards addressing malaria in the workplace.

Health experts say Malaria is no longer just a public health concern but an escalating economic threat. They say despite years of intervention, malaria continues to tighten its grip on Africa. Africa bears the world's heaviest malaria burden, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths - figures that signal not just a stalled fight, but a crisis at risk of being normalised.As countries mark World Malaria Day this Saturday the 25th of April, Dr Chris van Straten, Global Health Advisor, Clinical Governance at International SOS has called on businesses to self-assess their commitment and efforts towards addressing malaria in the workplace.

North Africa News Wrap with veteran journalist Shafiq Morton

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