Focus on Africa

A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence of widespread abuse by the founder of one of the world's biggest evangelical churches the late TB Joshua. Former members accuse him of rape, torture and forced abortions. As Senegalese courts deal blow to opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's presidential hopes, What does this portend for the coming elections? And why is the Nigerian government on a crackdown...

Troops from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), that includes Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania, have been deployed to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to fight the M23 and other armed groups. They have replaced the UN mission Monusco and an east African force that was deemed to be ineffective. Can Sadc succeed in reducing instability in the region? Thousands of unaccompanied ch...

Why was Sierra Leone's ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma charged with treason ? He has denied any involvement in an attack which killed about 20 people last November. Where next for Chad after a contested constitutional referendum vote? And renowned cellist Abel Selaocoe on how South African oral traditions are connected to classical music.

Somalia has described an agreement that landlocked Ethiopia made with the self-declared republic of Somaliland over sea access as “an act of aggression”. What are the implications for the entire Horn of Africa region? A new succession battle for the Zulu throne has been triggered after a court in South Africa ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa's official crowning of the new Zulu king last year w...

As South Africa battles increased load shedding, could nuclear energy be the answer to address the crisis? And the BBC's Ian Wafula's backstory to Africa Eye's investigation into how members of the LGBT community in Nigeria are being targeted by criminal gangs And we talk to the award-winning Somali director Ahmed Farah on his debut feature film-Ayaalne

The new year 2024, marks significant anniversaries for two countries. It is 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic election, signalling the dismantling of centuries of violent colonial and racial domination. At the same time, Rwanda was descending into a genocide that would leave up to a million people dead. Today we look back to that time to see how Rwanda and South Africa navigate...

The fighting that erupted in Sudan on 15 April this year between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continues unabated. We hear from the BBC's Mohanad Hashim who has been covering the conflict from the start. It is more than a story to him. It involves his homeland, his family, and his compatriots. Also, we meet Idiat Shiole, the 3D virtual fashion designer and creator o...

The Internationally acclaimed South African playwright, producer and composer Mbongeni Ngema has died in a car accident at the age of 68. He was best known for writing the award-winning musical Sarafina, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Miriam Makeba. It was nominated for both the Tony and Grammy Awards. We look back at the legacy of Mbongeni Ngema. Also, part two of the discussion on coups and democr...

The Nigerian government is providing free train rides and a 50% reduction in public bus fares over the festive period. So, what's been the reaction from Nigerians? Also with a series of coups and major civil unrests across Africa, we are asking if democratic gains made over the last few decades are being reversed. And a look back at the horrific fire that killed up to 80 people in Johannesburg las...

Northern herders launch a deadly attack on farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria, leaving over 140 people dead and hundreds more injured. What's behind this cycle of violence? Also we follow the stories of migrants from North Africa, across the Mediterranean Sea, to Lampedusa, an island off the Italian Coast. It's one of the deadliest known crossings in the world. Not everyone makes it across safely....

The price of chocolate has risen, that's as the cost of cocoa rises. After the Ivory Coast, Ghana is one of the world's largest producers of cocoa. We'll look at the importance of ethical cocoa production and ask if local farmers benefit or not? Also, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite in many parts of Africa, how can households make the most of the festive season, despite the squeeze...

As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, we look back at the week that's been and look ahead to the next few days. Has Sudan's conflict been forgotten and what next for the Sudanese people? Also we remember Shakahola. The Kenyan cult that made headlines around the world. And why is the pan African e-commerce company Jumia, exiting the continent?

How are Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea affecting Africa? Kenya and the EU sign an historic economic partnership agreement to boost trade. Will the East African region benefit? Will a new sickle cell treatment approved in the UK and US give hope for patients in Africa?

Vote counting in Chad is still underway after polls closed on Sunday in what was seen as a controversial referendum, on a new constitution. Provisional results are expected to be announced on the 24th of December, with the Supreme Court due to validate them four days later. So why was it seen as controversial? Also why females in Malawi are among the most vulnerable, after cyclone Freddy destroyed...

Guinea’s main oil terminal in the capital Conakry has exploded, killing 8, injuring dozens. What now for the country’s fuel security? Why is Ethiopia on the brink of a debt default ? And we meet a South African artist Odirile Khune Motsiri who specialises in used denim

Nearly 40 million voters go to the polls for the next presidential election on the 20th of December in the DR Congo. Incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi is seeking a second, and final, five-year term in office. Do these elections matter and what's at stake? Also what are SDRs and how does the International Monetary Fund allocate them? Are they distributed fairly or not? And what's life like for j...

Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs says that at least 22 Ugandans are currently being held captive in Myanmar. The deputy national coordinator for trafficking in persons said they were originally destined for work in Thailand. Somalia secures $4.5 billion debt relief deal from international creditors Plus the recommendations from a Ghanaian study into financial literacy for professional footbal...

A largely unobserved truce in DR Congo, results in heightened tensions between Rwanda and the DRC. There's a presidential election just round the corner, with President Félix Tshisekedi seeking a second, and final, five-year term in office. So, is peace ever possible in the DRC? Also, South African musician Tyla sparks a debate on social media, after describing herself as "coloured". She was talki...

COP 28 : A new deal agreed at the UN Climate summit in Dubai. Is it all talk and no implementation? Kenya's ambitious plan to provide employment in other countries for its youth. And will it really take 300 years to end child marriage ?

In November, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, was unlawful. The court said it was concerned about Rwanda's poor human rights record and its past treatment of refugees. The Rwandan government rejected the Court judgement and said: "We take our humanitarian responsibilities seriously and will continue to live up to them." We will hear a personal objection to...

Egypt election: Despite a crumbling economy, why is President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi seeking a consecutive third term? Is a high voter turnout expected? The growing influence of Russia in the Central African Republic. And a progress report on African countries looking to help Europe meet its rising gas needs.

Exactly one week ago the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to lift Somalia's arms Embargo, thirty years after it was first imposed. So, why now? And why was it imposed in the first place? Also one of the key themes emerging at this year's COP28 is securing funding for renewable energy, like solar power. We'll look at the potential of how African countries can harness the sun. There...

Congestion at sub-Saharan Africa's busiest shipping terminal -South Africa's Durban port is causing costly delays for shipping companies. Importers fear the Christmas rush will be missed. We return to Morocco three months after the deadly earthquake. And the hopes and dreams of Gambian actor for his country’s film industry

At least 85 civilians have been killed in Kaduna state, north-west Nigeria, in a drone attack. The incident took place during a religious celebration on Sunday, according to the local emergency management authority. President Bola Tinubu says it was a "bombing mishap". So what went wrong? And has something like this ever happened before? Also, why are children in South Sudan turning to drug and al...

The United States ambassador to Niger has presented her credentials to the military government in Niamey. The US announced the suspension of security cooperation and some financial aid following the coup in July but has gradually shifted its position. A wave of TikTok videos are allegedly being used to harass LGBTQ+ people in Ethiopia And a ban on Kaunda suits in Kenya's parliament sparks outrage...