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Henry Wilkins

Produced by Henry Wilkins

November 11, 2024
Breakaway Somaliland to hold general elections

The breakaway region of Somaliland in East Africa is due to hold general elections on November 13. As the self-declared republic pushes for recognition from the international community and begins to play a larger role in the region, what could the outcome mean for Somalia and the Horn of Africa?
November 04, 2024
UN expresses concern for Sudan heritage sites looted amid civil war

UNESCO - the U.N. agency for the protection of cultural heritage - says it is concerned that museums in Sudan are being looted during the ongoing civil war. VOA gained access to one damaged and apparently ransacked museum. VOA’s Henry Wilkins has more from the city of Omdurman.
October 29, 2024
Community soup kitchens feed Sudan’s starving as aid access blocked

In war-stricken Omdurman, Sudan's most populous city, community-funded soup kitchens are feeding those in need with little help from the international community. As one part of Sudan faces famine, the world's first in seven years, the U.S. and others have called for unfettered access for aid groups.
October 28, 2024
Small modular reactors could give developing countries access to nuclear energy

Experts say small modular reactors, called SMRs, are bringing affordable nuclear energy to less wealthy countries. But what are SMRs and why are proponents so excited about them? VOA reporter Henry Wilkins explains
October 09, 2024
Sudanese Armed Forces show VOA weapons they say were supplied to paramilitary group by United Arab Emirates

The Sudanese Armed Forces shows VOA weapons they say were supplied to the paramilitary RSF by the United Arab Emirates, which would be in violation of a U.N. arms embargo. Henry Wilkins reports.
October 03, 2024
Destruction, occupation of hospitals in Sudan could amount to war crimes, rights groups say

Most hospitals in the Khartoum area of Sudan have been destroyed or evacuated as fighting in the capital continues. Rights groups say those responsible for the devastation should be held accountable for war crimes.
September 30, 2024
Churches in Sudan open doors to displaced population

In Port Sudan, which has been spared from the fighting in Sudan’s civil war, churches have become makeshift shelters for many of the country's displaced residents. Henry Wilkins visits a church where a religious leader does what he can to help with little support from the international community.
September 25, 2024
VOA gains rare access to war-damaged Sudanese city of Omdurman

Former shopping hub in nation's second-largest city has been reduced to rubble; civilians say they just want fighting to end
September 06, 2024
Violence in Central Sahel has not improved, experts say, as some Russian mercenaries depart

Russian mercenaries hired to provide security in Burkina Faso began leaving the country in late August — they say to resist Ukraine's recent incursion into Russia. Data show the mercenaries have had little impact in the Sahel's war against Islamic terrorist groups.
September 04, 2024
Russia weaponized migration to help bolster populists, say Latvian experts

European Union governments have accused Russia of "weaponizing" migration by helping illegal migrants cross into the EU, stoking political tensions in countries such as Finland, Poland and Latvia. Henry Wilkins reports from Riga, Latvia.
August 28, 2024
Terror groups' use of drones ‘levels playing field’ in Africa, experts say

In an interview with VOA, U.N. experts say terror groups in Africa are increasing their use of drones to carry out operations previously only possible for nation-states. Reporter Henry Wilkins looks at how this makes the work of African states fighting insurgencies even more difficult.
August 15, 2024
Educators worry as Latvia phases out Russian in schools

Latvia's government has been moving to phase out teaching in the Russian language in the country's schools to reduce Moscow's influence in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But as Henry Wilkins reports, some say the move could be playing into the hands of the Kremlin's propagandists.
August 12, 2024
San Marino's bid to access EU financial sector dogged by ties to Russia

San Marino has been subject to scrutiny due to reports highlighting its ties to Russia. European Union regulators have expressed concerns that San Marino’s financial services sector could provide a back door into the EU trade bloc for illegal money from Russia. Henry Wilkins reports from San Marino
July 29, 2024
Russia’s alleged sabotage attacks stoke fear among refugees in Europe

London police in April said they had charged two British men with aiding Russian intelligence following a suspected arson attack on a business with ties to Ukraine. This and other incidents have shaken Ukrainians who feel targeted in places where they have sought refuge. Henry Wilkins reports.
July 08, 2024
Italy tries new approach to deter migrants

Italy is trying a new development-focused approach to preventing migrants from trying to cross the Mediterranean from Africa. For VOA, Henry Wilkins reports from the Italian island of Lampedusa, where residents are welcoming the measure after thousands arrived there in a single week last year.
June 19, 2024
World Refugee Day: Is neglect the new normal?

As a top humanitarian says neglect is the new normal for refugee crises, VOA speaks with aid workers about what they see on the ground. Henry Wilkins reports on what refugees and non-profit groups think about current funding levels.
June 12, 2024
Finland’s Lenin Museum closing as Russia relations chill

Finland’s Lenin Museum, the “most hated" in the country according to its director, is to close its doors at the end of the year for rebranding, as Finland’s historically good relations with Russia sour. Henry Wilkins visited the museum in the Finnish city of Tampere and has that story.
June 09, 2024
'Full war' rages in North Darfur capital that was supposed to be haven

In Sudan's North Darfur state, displaced people and doctors say paramilitary forces are attacking hospitals and camps in the capital, El Fasher. Meanwhile, nonprofit groups say the world is paying little attention as a city that was supposed to be a haven is torn apart. Henry Wilkins has the story.
June 04, 2024
Three-way exercise aims to reassure Finland amid Russian threat

On May 31, U.S. troops concluded first joint exercises practicing the reinforcement of Northern Finland in case of an attack from Russia. Both Norway and Finland have recently signed new defense pacts with the U.S. military giving access to bases in the far north of their territories.
May 29, 2024
‘Open source’ investigators use satellites to identify burned Darfur villages

London-based nonprofit Sudan Witness says April was worst month it has seen for fire being used as weapon of war

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