The United States just formally declared that genocide has taken place in the northeast African nation, but the calamity there dates back decades.

A force fighting Sudan’s army in a brutal civil war committed massacres and rape that amount to genocide, the Secretary of State said. The United States sanctioned its leader and financial network.

Thandiswa Mazwai has sung of South Africa’s highs and lows since the country became a multiracial democracy 30 years ago. “My calling is to sing the people’s joy, to sing the people’s sadness.”