Africa Daily / Focus on Africa (BBC World Service)
Episode: Ethiopia Opens Huge Dam Despite Outside Opposition
Date: September 9, 2025
Host: Charles Gitonga
Overview:
This episode dives into three of Africa’s biggest current stories:
- Ethiopia’s inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the regional controversy it stirs, especially with Egypt and Sudan.
- The indictment of US-based separatist leaders connected to Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis.
- The canonization of Carlo Acutis, a London-born, Italian-rooted teenager, as the world’s first millennial Catholic saint, and what sainthood means in modern times and for Africans.
1. Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam Opens: Symbol of Progress, Catalyst for Tension
Key Points:
- Ethiopia inaugurates the GERD, Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, after 14 years and $5 billion spent.
- The dam is expected to connect nearly half of Ethiopia's 135 million people to electricity for the first time.
- The dam is a symbol of national pride for Ethiopians, but an existential concern for Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 97% of its freshwater.
- Egypt and Sudan argue the dam violates international laws regarding transboundary rivers and risks their water supply, especially during droughts.
- Ethiopians maintain the country’s right to utilize its Nile share, citing historic exclusion from using these waters.
Segment Breakdown and Quotes:
Local Hopes and Experiences
[02:10] A rural Ethiopian woman:
“When we run out of fuel, we might spend nights in darkness. Sometimes we use firewood as a source of light. Sometimes we can't even have enough wood.”
[02:34] Kermessa Geltja, Hawasa resident:
“I feel incredibly happy because this is our shared ambition. I don't even have words to explain my excitement.”
Geographic/Technical Context
[02:42] Charles Gitonga:
“At just under 6,700 kilometers... the Nile is one of the world’s longest rivers... Ethiopia's dam is built on the Blue Nile.”
Egyptian Concerns
[03:43] Prof. Abbas Mohammed Sharaki (University of Cairo):
“Egypt is so concerned about the GERD because... about 97% of our water from the Nile... the Blue Nile provides... about 60%. So GERD is controlling 60% of the Nile water and the Egyptian annual share... constructing any water project, like dams... we should negotiate, we should consult and we should have an agreement because this is international water and the dam will control the water for Sudan and Egypt.”
Ethiopian Perspective and Symbolism
[04:51] Kalkidan Yebel Tal (BBC Regional Correspondent, Ethiopia):
“The mood is certainly of joy and celebration... this dam and what it means seems to unify people in pride and in joy.”
[08:59] Kalkidan Yebel Tal:
“Absolutely. It is one of those things that unified not just the people, but, you know, different governments... when it comes to this project, all these governments seem to be speaking on the same tone and it seems to be unifying people not just across political and ethnic lines, but across generations as well.”
Disputed Funding Claims
[10:09] Kalkidan Yebel Tal (on Trump’s funding claims):
“The general understanding [is] the dam was built by funds collected entirely domestically, it was funded by the government as well as contributions from the public... authorities as well as the people are very much confused and surprised by these remarks from President Trump.”
Next Challenges
[11:27] Kalkidan Yebel Tal:
“Currently around 46% of the entire population does not have access to electricity... The first challenge is going to be trying to reach these people. Ethiopia needs to enhance its electricity infrastructure... At the same time... the concerns are still there. There was a joint statement by [Egypt and Sudan] recently saying that still the dam is a threat to their [interests] and still Ethiopia is acting unilaterally.”
2. Cameroon Separatist Leaders Indicted in the US
Key Points:
- Conflict in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions has caused nearly 6,000 deaths and massive displacement since 2017.
- Two Minnesota-based, US-naturalized citizens of Cameroonian origin, Benedict Kwa and Pascal Wongbi, alleged leaders of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, were indicted by US authorities for orchestrating attacks in Cameroon.
- The Anglophone crisis began as protests over marginalization by the Francophone-majority government, escalating into armed conflict, lockdowns, and economic paralysis.
- Division persists among English-speaking Cameroonians over the best solution: unity, federalism, or secession.
- Both separatist fighters and government forces have been accused of atrocities.
Segment Breakdown and Quotes:
[13:54] Paul Njie (BBC Yaounde):
“These are men who are resident in the United States... said to be leaders of the Ambazonia Defense Forces, that the military wing of the Ambazonia Governing Council... using the United States as a base for their operations, to facilitate killings, bombings, maimings, abductions back in Cameroon.”
Background and Local Impact
[14:47] Cameroon Expert:
“Cameroon is a bilingual country... Francophone part makes up about 80%, while the Anglophone part makes up about 20%... a growing perception of marginalization... led to some clashes by separatists... about 6,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands more displaced.”
[17:47] Cameroon Expert (on life under lockdown):
“As we speak, there's currently a lockdown in the English speaking parts of the country imposed by the separatists to forestall school resumption... economic activities will be grounded, circulation... halted and schools... shut.”
Divided Sentiments and Government Response
[19:08] Cameroon Expert:
“It depends on who you ask. There are those... opinion that there needs to be a united country. There are others... the country should have been united, but in a federal system. And then... those who believe... the only way is to go their separate ways.”
[20:35] Cameroon Expert:
“The state forces have also been accused of extrajudicial killings... But the government has also seemed to position itself as a peacemaker. In 2019, the authorities organized a national dialogue... but... the conflict [is] very much on as we speak, the lockdown is on, which means that things are not yet better.”
3. Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint
Key Points:
- Carlo Acutis, a London-born teenager with an Italian background, becomes the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.
- Acutis was known for his digital savvy (“God’s influencer”), kindness, and compassion for the homeless before dying of leukemia in 2006.
- His sainthood resonates with young people worldwide and demonstrates the Catholic Church’s desire for accessible, relatable role models—especially in a digital age.
Segment Breakdown and Quotes:
Carlo’s Legacy and Inspiration
[22:49] Antonia Salzano (Carlo’s mother):
“He was advanced and he started very shortly to ask me question about religion. I had the feeling that Carlo was special since he was small because he was very generous... Carlo used to question himself. I have everything... these people have nothing. And so he starts to bring sleeping bags, blankets, to bring food to these people... He had a special gift.”
[23:44] Listener 1:
“I find his story to be very inspiring as he showcases a young person with a deep love for God and how he was able to show this love within the modern context.”
[23:56] Listener 2 (from Ghana):
“It’s an example to all young people... that with your skill sets, your small craft, something that you are doing in your own corner, you can also make impact and become a saint.”
The Process of Becoming a Saint
[24:32] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka (Sokoto, Nigeria):
“In the eyes of the church, all of us are first of all called to sainthood. Because being a saint is a vocation... The church... evolved a methodology for identifying men and women... who lived exemplary lives and who could be elevated to sainthood.”
[25:22] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“Saints are just ordinary people who did ordinary things extraordinarily. First of all, it is something that happens after you’ve gone. And in very many cases, even to start the process, it has to be minimum of five or so years after you’re gone before people start thinking and talking about those possibilities.”
[25:50] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“There are no applications... it is something that happens after you’ve gone. And then people begin to think about the kind of life that you lived. Then you open up a process... records of the various testimonies and activities. People begin to pray for miracles... If there is a claim of a miraculous healing... you have to have medical reports, you have to have scientific experts examine the claims... one miracle is enough to elevate you to a status of blessedness... until finally you are declared a saint.”
On Miracles and Modern Relevance
[27:30] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“Miracles... have to pass most. It has to go through a very rigorous process of investigation. And... some... will be discounted even before they leave the table.”
[28:33] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“I think the church... has actually seen the need, especially in this, of AI, that young people have somebody that they can look up to... the doors are open beyond age, beyond gender. Now the young millennials have somebody that they can look up to.”
Examples of African Saints
[29:14] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“One of my favorites is Bakita... She was a Sudanese girl who was captured as a slave... Now... a metaphor... for helping women understand... domestic violence or whatever the case may be, there is a saint that we can look up to. Only recently, Pope Francis... beatified Floribert Chui, a 26 year old young man from Congo... people like that are also examples of what it is to be a public servant and what it is not enough to answer a Christian name.”
Closing Exchange
[30:44] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“Thank you very much for having me. God bless you. And I hope you also aspire to Saint Hood. We will really take up your course.”
[30:51] Charles Gitonga:
“I hope my friends and family members will be happy to make the case for me. Thank you.”
[30:56] Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka:
“Well, even your family in the BBC. Thank you. God bless you.”
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
-
Unifying Power of the Dam:
“It is one of those things that unified... different governments... when it comes to the Nile waters... the authorities seem to be unified about that.”
— Kalkidan Yebel Tal [08:59] -
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Deeds:
“Saints are just ordinary people who did ordinary things extraordinarily.”
— Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka [25:22] -
Miracles and Sainthood Process:
“If there is a claim of a miraculous healing... you have to have medical reports, you have to have scientific experts examine the claims that are being made.”
— Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka [25:50]
Key Timestamps
- [00:06] – Episode outline
- [01:03] – Ethiopia celebrates dam opening
- [02:10 – 03:43] – Voice of affected Ethiopians & Egyptian concerns
- [04:51] – Ethiopian unity and symbolism of the dam
- [11:27] – Future challenges for GERD and regional tensions
- [12:34] – Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis overview
- [13:54] – US indictments of separatist leaders
- [17:47] – Daily life under separatist-imposed lockdowns
- [22:19] – Carlo Acutis’s path to sainthood
- [24:32] – What is a saint? (Bishop Kuka)
- [28:33] – Modern relevance and millennial sainthood
- [29:14] – African examples of sainthood
Tone & Language
The discussion is informative, accessible, balanced, and grounded in personal narratives and expert analysis. The tone is earnest and empathetic, especially when amplifying local voices and exploring the significance of faith and progress in contemporary African context.
Summary for Listeners
This episode offers an in-depth look at the intersection of infrastructure, faith, politics, and identity in Africa today. Whether it's the promise and peril of Ethiopia's new dam, the pain and complexity of Cameroon’s separatist conflict, or the inspiration of a tech-savvy teen saint, the episode provides clear explanations, firsthand stories, and expert voices to put global headlines in African perspective.