Akisa Wandera

In this episode, Akisa Wandera, a BBC correspondent based in Nairobi, discusses the tense climate in Tanzania as President Samia Suluhu Hassan takes office amid violence from a disputed election. Damien Grammaticus uncovers alarming details about alleged pressure from Chinese authorities on Sheffield Hallam University impacting human rights research. The conversation highlights the complexities of political unrest, the need for transparency in academia, and the significant global implications of these issues.

Akisa Wandera, a BBC journalist from Nairobi, shares the astonishing story of Evans Kibet, a Kenyan runner who became a soldier for Russia after unintentionally signing a document. Akisa provides insights into Kibet's transition from athlete to prisoner of war and his escape attempts. Meanwhile, Vitaliy Shevchenko reveals the troubling tactics Russia employs to recruit foreign fighters, including deception and coercion. They explore the implications of this recruitment on global conflicts and the complex repatriation options for those caught in such circumstances.