Rwanda – real equality or gender-washing?

British Premier Boris Johnson has announced a proposal to send unauthorized migrants to Rwanda for processing. The African country has in the past been slammed for a range of human rights violations.

Rwanda has struck a £120 million deal with the UK to take in asylum seekers that arrive in Britain illegally. Tens of thousands of people could be resettled under the agreement over the years. Refugee groups have slammed the move as unethical and expensive. Human Rights Watch tells us the move is cynical and unsafe.

In a special edition, we look closely at the two presidential candidates, Emmanuel Macron and the far-right’s Marine Le Pen to see where they both stand when it comes to promoting equality. Annette Young talks to Megan Clement, the editor of the Impact newsletter on gender and politics on why women's rights have failed to make the radar so far in this election campaign. Also #MeToo in the world of French politics and the dire need to end a climate of sexism and sexual harassment.

Kigali is hitting back at critics, justifying the controversial deal to relocate asylum seekers in Britain to Rwanda. Human rights groups and the United Nations have slammed the agreement as "unethical."

Africa's demographic growth is having a considerable impact on the continent's capital cities. Kigali, for example, is set to double its population by 2050. In one of the most densely populated areas in the world, authorities are trying to organise this growth in terms of urban planning and economics. Rwanda, which holds great ambitions on the continent, has plans to turn Kigali into Africa’s major international hub of business and finance.

An Alabama ban on the provision of gender-affirming medication for minors has been blocked by a federal judge. Transgender rights have become a bone of contention for right-wing Republicans.

A Rwandan government official has said the first 50 asylum seekers, sent from the UK under a controversial scheme, could arrive by the end of the May.

In France, coming out of the closet and living openly as a member of the LGBTI+ community can be a significant psychological, emotional and social challenge. Until just 40 years ago, it was also a legal one. In 1982, the age of consent was lowered from 21 to 18 for homosexuals in France, making it the same for everyone. This landmark law paved the way for important civil liberties, including the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013. But there are still obstacles to be overcome. To find out more about the ongoing fight for equality, we speak to Sébastien Tüller, LGBTI+ legal advisor for Amnesty International France.

Rwanda has said the Congolese military shelled Musanze district in the north of the country, wounding several civilians.

Clashes between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 militia group have sent thousands of people over the border to Rwanda seeking shelter. Meanwhile, the UK and Rwanda are to settle 50 undocumented migrants who arrived on British shores in the Rwandan capital Kigali; we take a closer look. And Zimbabwe wants to sidestep international conventions to sell its $600 million stockpile in black market ivory – not without controversy.

The British government has said the first flight of asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda under a controversial scheme will take place on June 14.

Anti-Rwanda protests hit Congolese cities, accusing Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group. Two Rwandan soldiers have however been released in peace talks mediated by Angola. Also, hundreds of Sudanese protesters have demanded the dismissal of the United Nations mission chief, who is working to resolve a political crisis sparked by last year's military coup. And Pritzker Prize winner Diebedo Francis Kéré is given a hero's welcome on a trip back to Ouagadougou.