Focus on Africa

South Africa voted for a UN General Assembly resolution calling for Ukraine’s territorial integrity to be respected last week, while the US abstained from the vote because it considered the resolution too anti-Russian. How does the very public falling out between the US and Ukraine affect South Africa's offer to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv? What's South Africa's role in all of this? Also,...

How is Burundi coping with a refugee crisis caused by fighting in eastern DR Congo? What dangerous substances are being added to the deadly drug Kush? And why are some people adding detergent to the West African staple food fufu? What are the dangers? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke in London with Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Seni...

A ship the size of a football field, crewed by more than 50 engineers and technicians, cruises the oceans around Africa to keep the continent online. It provides a vital service, repairing damaged internet cables that lay deep under the sea. We go onboard the Léon Thévenin. Also, recent reports say, Tunsian authoraties are cracking down on the LGBTQ+ community in Tunisia And why are West Africans...

A border clash between Ethiopia and Kenya has left several people dead or missing. Germany elections: Why is the rise of right-wing parties worrying for African communities? Somalia passes a " game changing" law to protect persons living with disabilities Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Produc...

In a bold diplomatic move Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has reportedly proposed granting the United States and Europe access to the country’s vast mineral resources. What's the deal and why now? Also, what is postpartum depression and why does it need to be taken seriously? And a young cancer survivor in Tanzania shares her story of recovery with us. Presenter: Audrey Bro...

Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, publicly regrets annulling the Nigerian1993 presidential election. How does family of presumed winner, Moshood Abiola, respond? We explore the affordable housing crisis in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa. And reaction after Botswana lifts a ban on South African vegetables Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers :Sunita Nahar and Amie Liebowitz in London and...

There is growing concern that a law introduced in 2021 is being used to muzzle freedom of expression in Sierra Leone. Hawa Hunt, a social media infleuncer with Siera Leonean and Canadian citizenship is the latest victim of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021. She is accused of insulting President Julius Maada Bio and his wife Fatima Bio in a video posted on Facebook in 2023 just as the country wa...

Sudan's military led government are upset by Kenya's decision to host a conference of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces Is there a regional power play behind Mauritania and Morocco's electricity exchange agreement ? And what's the deadly bacteria that's making Lake Victoria turn green? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Mich...

Experts say the health of millions of Africans is at stake following the suspension of much needed USAID funds. Programs that the US organisation funds on the continent are vast and crucial. What do African governments need to do to fill the gap? Also, a new report says that the recruitment of children as soldiers on the continent remains a challenge. We hear from a former child soldier. And a pro...

The collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali at the weekend killed dozens of people The world’s ‘first openly gay imam’ who was shot dead in South Africa, Muhsin Hendricks, is remembered What can be done about overcrowding in prisons in Africa? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar and Stefania Okereke in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: G...

African Union members have elected Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the next chair of the AU Commission. Mr Ali Youssouf defeated Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Foreign Minister of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato. What are some of the challenges he faces? Also, why is Gambia running short on medicines? And are tech-savvy Gen Z's really more vulnerable t...

A month-long fishing ban in Sierra Leone leaves families struggling to cope. Who are AfriForum- the white Afrikaner minority group that's behind Donald Trump's intimidation of South Africa? And we meet Nada Hafez -The Egyptian fencer whose Olympic pregnancy stunned the world. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle, Frenny Jowi and Paul Bakibinga. Technical Produ...

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is holding a public hearing in Tanzania, on a case filed by DR Congo against Rwanda. The country accuses Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, orchestrating violence, and destabilizing the DRC. Rwanda denies the accusations. How significant is this? Also, a look at the growing economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. What dif...

Did Shell ignore clean-up warnings in southern Nigeria? Why residents of Cape Town’s brightly coloured Bo-Kaap neighbourhood are concerned about tourism numbers And calls for AI to bridge the gender equality gap in Africa Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca...

In January this year DR Congo's Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said 127 people, aged between the ages of 18 and 35, had received the death sentence. Rights groups said that number was higher. The DRC government had announced it would resume executions in 2024 following a two-decade hiatus. Who are these men and why have they been sentenced to death? Also, why are global powers interested in the...

After a recent summit, leaders from east and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Willing the warring parties listen? After a fire kills 16 children in Zamfara state, north western Nigeria, how can schools there be made safer? How will Sam Nujoma the first president of Namibia be remembered? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Victor Sylver,...

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. However, President Ramaphosa has said his country "will not be bullied". What's at stake for the country? Also why have Moroccans decided to call a general strike? It's the first one in almost a decade And Rwanda faces allegations of sports washing, a clai...

Kenya's Business Registration Service (BRS) reveals a major data breach has exposed sensitive information of numerous private companies Will the killing of several key jihadist militants spell the end of IS in Somalia? And how will the late Aga Khan, leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims, be remembered? Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and A...

This episode has been edited to correct an editorial error Gabon's military government recently announced that the presidential elections will be held on the 12th of April. It's a key step to re-establish civilian rule following a coup in August 2023. How significant is this? Also Dutch authorities say one of Europe's most-wanted fugitives has been living in Sierra Leone. Who is he and what do we...

Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. Human rights groups welcomed the decision as a major step in protecting the right to a fair trial, but the government criticized the move. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said his government would continue to prosecute civilians in military tribunals, despite the ruling. We hear analysis of this....

President Donald Trump has said he will cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that it was confiscating land. South Africa's President Ramaphosa says that is not true. Concerns that the conflict in eastern DR Congo could spread deadly diseases. And what is are the reasons behind Namibia's high unemployment. Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in...

Who is Osama Najim, the Libyan suspect wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes? What is the reason behind the high-level diplomatic spat between Rwanda and South Africa over the fighting in DR Congo? Plus, why Kenya is putting its nuclear program on hold Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz and Yvette Twagiramariya in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Senior Produc...

A Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model called DeepSeek is stunning investors and sinking some tech stocks. It's also quickly impressing AI experts and has the attention of the entire tech industry and the world. How does it work and has it inspired Africa or not? Also, why does Namibia have some of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world? And the race to host Formula One on th...

There are concerns that an international US foreign aid cut will reverse gains, especially in the fight against HIV Who are the M23 - the group operating in eastern DR Congo? And how a non-alcoholic bar in Ghana is challenging the drinking culture Presenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Techni...

A group of prominent Zimbabwean war veterans, including a senior figure from the ruling Zanu PF party, have issued a rare rebuke against the country's president Emerson Mnangagwa. They've accused him of seeking to violate the country's constitution by pushing for a third term in office. What does this mean and how significant is this? Also, we return to the story of the Malawian women facing abuse...