Africa Today
Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast contains the day's top stories from African news - available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.
Chagos Islands: What next after UK hand over?
Britain agrees to give sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but what follows next?Why the Islamic police in Kano northern Nigeria is cracking down on sports bettingAnd why are parents sending very young children to boarding school in Lesotho?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London…
Kenya's Deputy President faces impeachment
Kenya's Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who calls himself the “truthful man”, is facing impeachment. Before he was elected as a member of parliament in 2017 little was known about the man, who would in five short years, rise to become Kenya’s second-in-command. So who is he and why is he…
Lebanon conflict: A reporter’s witness account.
Lebanon conflict: As Israel continues to attack, we learn the plight of foreigners stranded thereWe assess the state of security in Mali following last month's deadly attack in the capital, BamakoAnd outrage in Egypt after a video showing possible sexual harassment by male doctors goes viral. A medical association vows…
DR Congo appeals to the UN
The newly appointed Foreign Minister of the DR Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, tells Focus on Africa, the crisis faced in her country is an international not a regional one. We'll get the details from the BBC's Wahiga Mwaura.Also we'll hear from a member of Eswatini's opposition party after an alleged…
Devastating impact of cocaine on Cape Verde
BBC Africa Eye investigates how some sailors were tricked into smuggling cocaine to Cape Verde. We’ll also meet the rap artist and former cocaine addict who is helping addicts Why South Sudan lawyers are challenging the postponement of elections in court Plus, harrowing tales of the conditions young Kenyan doctors…
Inside the Sudan war with the Sudanese army
The leader of the Sudanese army has told UN General Assembly in New York, that a peace deal depends on the paramilitary Rapid Support Force laying down their arms. The army has also launched a major offensive in the capital Khartoum, targeting areas in the hands of RSF. The BBC's…
Kenya: ‘excessive force’ used during protests
Kenyan police are alleged to have used unlawful force during protests in June. How African countries benefit from having satellites in spaceAnd Ethiopia finally launches a stock market. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Technical producer : Nick…
Why is galamsey such a big deal in Ghana?
A coalition of civil society organizations, labor unions, media outlets and religious leaders in Ghana have intensified pressure on the government to act decisively against illegal mining, known as galamsey. What impact does galamsey have on the country? Also, an appeal from Amnesty International to release four activists detained in…
Why the opposition in Tanzania is concerned by abductions?
The Tanzanian opposition is concerned by abductions in the country they suggest are meant to cower the opposition. The Zimbabwe plans to cull at least 200 elephants. The meat will be used to feed hungry people. So what are the challenges and advantages of eating elephant meat?And why did Botswana's…
What the gender equity bill means for women in Ghana
We hear reaction from Ghana where President Nana Akufo Addo signed the gender equality bill. Women's rights advocates are calling for the immediate implementation of the nearly 30-year-old bill.Also, what is the legacy of Ali Bongo, the disposed president of Gabon? The former head of state has in a letter,…
Why Nigeria risks floods from waters released by Cameroon
Nigeria warns of massive potential flooding after neighbouring Cameroon releases dam waters. Why has Nigeria failed to construct a buffer dam over the years?We look at cybersecurity and its best practice in AfricaAnd why is Hungary sending soldiers to Chad? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Charles Gitonga, Rob Wilson,…
The abduction of children in South Sudan
Over one thousand children are feared still missing in Pibor, South Sudan. An initiative is now underway to try and reunite abducted children with their families. Over the past few weeks, around 200 of them have been brought back home. But why are they being abducted and by whom? Also…
Why is Ghana's opposition demanding a voters roll audit ?
Ahead of knife-edge December elections there are demands for an independent forensic audit of the voter register. The electoral commission says it is not needed. Why is the opposition party NDC adamant?Communities in Guinea welcome the return of land taken from them violently by previous governmentsAfrica's future is urban- we…
Will Kenya’s labour deal with Germany work?
Kenya’s President Ruto has struck a labour deal with Germany, but how will the policy work, and will the skilled and semi-skilled workers arriving from Kenya be well-received? Is Tanzania's increasing involvement in the tobacco industry sacrificing the health of its population? And why did a student take Ghana's education…
Why did Senegal's president dissolve parliament?
Why did Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolve the National Assembly?Consensual same sex acts are not a crime in Ivory Coast, so why are homophobic attacks on the rise?Plus, we meet the man who's trying to save African indigenous vegetables from dying out.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi…
City of Maiduguri submerged in heaviest flooding
Devastating floods caused by a burst dam in northeastern Nigeria have submerged entire residential areas, displacing tens of thousands of people and animals. Authorities say at least thirty people have died. Two hundered prisoners also escaped from the Maiduguri state prison. It's been described as the worst flooding in thirty…
Kenya airports: Who is Adani group?
Why are workers at Kenya's main airports objecting to a planned deal to lease the facility to India's Adani Group for 30 years? How Cameroon's simmering secessionist rebellion is affecting schooling for children And why African women need to be involved in developing Artificial Intelligence. Presenter :…
Reflections a year since floods in Derna
On the night of 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel unleashed torrential rain and fierce winds on Libya’s north-east region. Two dams burst near Derna, releasing a devastating flood wave that swept through the city centre, killing thousands of people and causing widespread destruction. A year on since the disaster -…
Is laxity behind schools fires in Kenya?
In recent years, there have been several incidents of fires at boarding schools in Kenya, causing concern about safety measures in place. Is accountability possible?Dark days ahead as Zambia plans to shut down its hydropower plant at Kariba due to droughtAnd how changing forms of payment for land are affecting…
Why Algeria's President is not a uniting figure
Algeria's incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been re-elected with almost 95% of the vote. Election officials reported that less than 6 million of the country's 24 million voters turned out to vote raising questions about Tebboune's popular support. We'll get analysis.Also, the Nigerian woman in Canada who allegedly made threats…