Africa Daily: Focus on Africa — Sudan Landslide: Race to Find Survivors

Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Audrey Brown, BBC World Service

Main Theme

This episode centers on three pressing stories across Africa:

• The catastrophic mudslide in Sudan’s Darfur region and the immense challenges of rescue in a war-torn, isolated area.
• Rising disappearances, abductions, and torture in Tanzania ahead of national elections, with a focus on the chilling reports from activists and families.
• The alarming use of TikTok and other social media platforms for the illegal trade and sale of bushmeat, including endangered species, with a case study from Togo.

1. Sudan Landslide: Catastrophe Amid Conflict

Overview

A devastating mudslide in the village of Tarsin, Mara Mountains, Darfur, kills or traps an estimated 1,000 people. The region, already crippled by ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is difficult to access, hampering rescue and aid efforts.

Key Points

• Geography and Impact: The area is described as a deep, cave-riddled Rift Valley, inaccessible by normal road vehicles, further isolated by torrential rains and mudslides.

  “That area is like caves and a very deep valley, like a Rift Valley…the disaster happened. Till now, people confirmed there in the ground.” — Abdel Wahid Mohammed Al Nur, Leader, Sudan Liberation Movement [02:32]

• Casualties and Response: Over 1,000 suspected dead, with “at least they are under the ground, under the mud.” Local rebel authorities acknowledge helplessness due to lack of equipment.

  “We feel helpless because we don’t have any kind of equipment to rescue them.” — Abdel Wahid Mohammed Al Nur [02:32]

• Humanitarian Response: International actors like the UN and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) are mobilizing, but face extraordinary logistical hurdles.

  “This is really a devastating natural disaster in the middle of a war...the ones who survived have been without assistance now for at least more than 24 hours, if not two days.” — Mathilde Vu, NRC Advocacy Manager [03:35]

• Complex Crisis: The disaster hits a region already overwhelmed by mass displacement, cholera, and starvation, with “an open air camp that…is receiving 200,000 people” and the “largest cholera outbreak in Sudan history.”

  “We’re barely saving lives, we’re delaying death because we just simply don’t have the resources.” — Mathilde Vu [06:11]

Rescue & Political Challenges

• Local authorities and humanitarian organizations call for a dramatic increase in international aid and for the warring parties to guarantee safe access for relief efforts.

  “We need the international community to step up…we also need the political attention from the world leaders.” — Mathilde Vu [07:13]

• Official statements of cooperation are met with skepticism:

  “What I’m most interested about is whether or not assistance gets to those people...not so much statements.” — Mathilde Vu [08:33]

Ongoing Threats

• The approaching rainy season means more disasters are likely, with aid groups unable to prepare due to war and funding cuts.

  “Every year there is heartbreaking flooding happening…Hundred thousands of people displaced…And we’re just not able to prevent that.” — Mathilde Vu [09:39]

2. Tanzania: Disappearances, Repression, and Election Fears

Overview

A new report highlights a surge in abductions and human rights abuses in Tanzania, raising serious concerns as elections draw near. Families and activists recount disturbing cases, and the government is accused of slow investigative action.

Key Points

• Personal Stories:
  • The Chawla family’s search for their son Shadrach, disappeared after posting a viral anti-government TikTok video.

    “We have made every effort to find him. We are exhausted.” — Fundikila Wazambi reading Mr. Chawla's account [12:24]

  • Edgar Mwakabela recounts torture and a near-fatal attack after participating in a business strike.

    “I begged them to help me because I couldn’t walk. Instead they started beating me again…then I heard…‘Shoot him.’ That’s when I was shot in the head.” — Edgar Mwakabela [13:20]

• Documenting Abuse:
  • The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) reports a peak in abductions in 2022, with 31 incidents (33 in 2024); most are believed to be politically motivated or related to activism on social media.

    “Our records show that they actually peaked in 2022…some of which are believed to be politically motivated.” — Fundikila Wazambi [14:12]

• Government Response:
  • Officials deny involvement, promising ongoing investigations but providing little assurance.

    “They continue to tell us is that they continue to investigate…they also deny that government officials or law enforcement officers are involved.” — Fundikila Wazambi [17:37]

• Social Media & Expression:
  • Social media is highlighted as an enabling platform for activism and, at times, a reason for targeting dissidents.

    “It appears social media is also an issue, but others…it just appears to be more or less political. But everything seems to be coming back to freedom of expression.” — Fundikila Wazambi [15:48]

• Election Climate:
  • With the opposition party boycotting, fewer incidents are expected—but widespread fear and apathy persist.

    “There’s still a general feeling among the public that people’s opinions are not really seriously taken into consideration…we also worry that…voter turnout might not be big this year.” — Fundikila Wazambi [19:11]

3. Togo: TikTok and the Illegal Bushmeat Trade

Overview

A new study exposes the rapid expansion of illegal wildlife trade on TikTok in Togo, where traders openly advertise bushmeat—including endangered species like pangolins—to a broad audience.

Key Points

• Cultural and Economic Context:
  • Bushmeat, or “wild meat,” is rooted in local diets but poses conservation risks due to rising demand, population growth, and ease of access.

    “Wild meat is…the meat from non-domesticated wildlife…reflecting that consumption is not only driven by necessity…but also cultural preferences, taste and financial incentives.” — Delagnon Asou [21:40]

• Social Media Shift:
  • TikTok has become a marketplace, bypassing traditional enforcement and reaching far wider audiences than physical markets.

    “TikTok is no longer just for entertainment. It functions now like a marketplace where people can sell and buy stuffs…open advertising of world meat on TikTok in Lome.” — Delagnon Asou [23:15]

• Scale and Impact:
  • Study documented over 3,500 animal carcasses and 27 species across 80 TikTok videos in 17 months, including more than 130 endangered pangolins.

    “Orders of magnitude beyond typical food traffic in a single market, indicating the potential for increased demand and sell far beyond traditional roadside markets.” — Delagnon Asou [23:49]

• Legal Loopholes & Enforcement Challenges:
  • Many buyers/sellers are oblivious to legal and conservation issues, and platform policing is insufficient; illegal content often resurfaces on new accounts.

    “Given the extensive resources and technological expertise, TikTok and other social media platforms should move beyond merely moderating content.” — Delagnon Asou [26:41]

• Government and Platform Actions:
  • Partial legal protections exist but are inconsistently enforced. In response, TikTok claims to remove 95% of contraband wildlife content before user reporting.

    “Our community guidelines are clear. TikTok does not allow the trade of endangered species and we have removed any content from the report which violated these rules.” — Mathilde Vu reading TikTok statement [29:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We’re barely saving lives, we’re delaying death…” — Mathilde Vu on overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Darfur [06:11]
• “If we knew where he is or where he is being held, or even if we knew he had died and been buried somewhere, at least we’d have a grave to visit and mourn properly.” — Mr. Chawla (read by Fundikila Wazambi) [12:24]
• “Bushmeat…part of our culture in West and Central Africa…but on those days…the pressure on animals was not that high…nowadays there is a lot of demand.” — Delagnon Asou [22:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:05] Introduction & overview with Audrey Brown
• [02:32] Abdel Wahid Mohammed Al Nur describes landslide impact in Darfur
• [03:35] Mathilde Vu details rescue challenges and dire conditions
• [12:24] Fundikila Wazambi shares the Chawla family’s story, Tanzanian abuses
• [14:12] Legal and Human Rights Centre’s report findings
• [21:40] Delagnon Asou explains the bushmeat crisis and TikTok’s role
• [23:49] Study findings: scale, species, and new dynamics of illegal trade
• [26:41] Recommendations for social media and policy action
• [29:23] TikTok’s official response to the BBC

Conclusion

This episode paints a sobering picture of humanitarian emergencies, human rights abuses, and environmental crises across Africa, highlighting the interconnectedness of conflict, governance, technology, and survival. Each segment, handled with urgency and empathy by Audrey Brown, exposes both local realities and the global implications of ongoing neglect, repression, and unchecked digital enterprise.

Useful for listeners seeking:

• Field-level, first-hand insight into the Sudan disaster
• Human rights and political climate analysis in Tanzania
• A detailed look at the intersection of social media, culture, and conservation in Togo

(The full episode skips promos and focuses on thorough, ground-level journalism with compelling voices and urgent calls to action.)