Focus on Africa UN refugee chief responds to criticism
Jan 12, 2026
This podcast features Dr. Barham Salih, the recently appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Wahiga Mwaura, a field reporter at Kakuma refugee camp. Salih discusses the pressing need for reform in response to global displacement and emphasizes durable solutions for refugees. Mwaura shares on-the-ground insights into refugees' experiences at Kakuma. The conversation also touches on the growing urban fitness communities in Africa, where social media is fostering connections and wellbeing among runners in cities like Abuja and Nairobi.
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Reform As Central To UNRWA's Future
- Barham Salih emphasises that UN agencies must become more efficient, effective and agile to meet donor expectations.
- He links reform to ending protracted displacement and prioritising durable solutions and inclusion.
Classroom Moment Reveals Empathy
- Wahiga Mwaura describes Salih sitting on low classroom chairs and engaging directly with refugee students.
- The scene conveyed Salih's empathy rooted in his own experience as a former refugee and head of state.
Protracted Displacement Is The Core Problem
- Two-thirds of refugees face protracted displacement lasting years or decades, creating dependency on humanitarian aid.
- Salih advocates shifting toward national inclusion and development-linked approaches to reduce that dependency.