OS conversations: Students in Afghanistan

We continue to follow the unfolding situation in Afghanistan – where on Wednesday President Ashraf Ghani flew in to rally his beleaguered troops in Mazar- i- Sharif - a crucial northern city near the border with Tajikistan. Meanwhile, the Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan, officials said on Wednesday, putting nine of the nation’s 34 in the armed group’s hands. We speak to our reporter in the capital Kabul to get the latest developments.

And the US and UK governments have urged their citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately because of the worsening security situation. But what is life like for ordinary Afghani people, unable to leave? What’s been the impact on them? We hear from a group of students, who tell us about their experiences and their hopes and fears for the future.

Also, there are reports that the Ethiopian military and its allies are responsible for widespread sexual violence against women in Tigray. According to Amnesty International the scale of violations during the nine-month conflict in the north of the country amounts to war crimes. Ethiopian officials have not responded to the allegations. Our Africa correspondent has been looking into the story for us.

(Photo: Afghan girls attend Tajrobawai Girls High School in Herat, Afghanistan, 09 May 2021. Credit: EPA/JALIL REZAYEE)