Why is child marriage still pervasive in Malawi?

Despite the introduction of legislation to prevent the marriage of underage girls in Malawi, the practice remains relatively widespread. Traditional leaders are accused of perpetuating the problem and religious leaders are urging the government to step intervene. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Memory Chisenga, a child rights activist, and DW correspondent Chimwemwe Padatha in Lilongwe.

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOS, are under intense scrutiny in Nigeria. Some of the country's scientists are concerned that genetically modified food could cause health and fertility issues while others argue that it can boost food security. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Dr. Rufus Ebegba, who introduced GMOs in Nigeria, and DW correspondent Ben Shemang in Abuja.

With the crackdown on opposition parties during an election year, Tanzania faces a reckoning in terms of its democratic future. The ruling CCM party has governed Tanzania for decades, and President Samia Suluhu is up for re-election. What's at stake for Tanzania? Eddy Micah talks to Nicodemus Minde, researcher and political analyst at Institute for Security Studies, and DW's Khelef Mohammed.

Theft of medicines has been blamed for the US stopping funds for Zambia's fragile healthcare system. But as the southern African country now grapples with $50 million less, ordinary Zambians are bearing the brunt. Josey Mahachi talks to DW correspondent in Lusaka, Kathy Short, and Oliver Kaoma, Secretary General of the Zambia Medical Association.

Cameroon has over 300 villages, and the ongoing chieftaincy crises have affected dozens of them. However, in recent years, the country has experienced numerous chieftaincy disputes. So, what can traditional leaders do to maintain smooth transitions of power? Mimi Mefo talks to Fon ZOFOA III of Babungo Fondom in northwestern Cameroon, and correspondent Edwin Moki.

The World Bank has released a report that Nigeria's economic growth is the highest in last ten years. Meanwhile, the country continues to face many social and economic challenges. Are Nigerians feeling this growth in their pockets?

How can a country have too many nurses but also a shortage of nurses? That's the situation for Malawi, which has just struck a deal with Israel to allow unemployed Malwaian nurses seek employment in the Middle East country. But what does this mean for Malawi's healthcare system, and is this really a viable business model?

Joint military action between Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria suppressed Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. But the fragmentation of the ECOWAS multinational grouping and difficulties in the countries' ability to protect civilians has led to a resurgence of the Islamist group in northern Cameroon.

The UN Security Council has urged an immediate halt to the fighting in South Sudan and renewed its peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, for another year. South Sudan has formally been at peace since a 2018 agreement ended a five-year civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. But recent tensions between Kiir and Machar threaten the fragile peace.

Malawi's medicine shortage has been blamed on drug theft. The Malawian government loses around 30% of the drugs and medical supplies it purchases to theft. According to a survey, 35% of private clinics sell anti-malarial drugs that had been donated for free use.