Focus on Africa

The Somali ministry of information says Al Shabab fighters stormed a military base this morning, killing a base commander among others. Al Shabab claims it killed many more. We'll hear what happened. Also, a hearing to determine if a class action against the mining giant Anglo-American for allegedly poisoning thousands of Zambians at a lead mine can go ahead. Plus, encouraging youngsters to read i...

In Senegal: the mayor of Ziguinchor is on trial for rape. Ousmane Sonkor says the charges were brought to stop him running for president next year. Also, Nigerian presidential contender Rabiu Kwakwanso explains why voters should choose him in elections next month. And Sierra Leone introduces a new law mandating quotas to allow women into public office and private positions. Those stories and more...

In Cameroon the Ambazonian separatist leader known as 'One Blood', has been killed near the Northwest Regional capital Bamenda. Also, we've a special focus on South Sudan with former child soldier turned musician and activist, Emmanuel Jal, as our guest editor. And conflict rages in South Sudan's Upper Nile and Jonglei states, causing fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Those stories and mor...

After two years of being cut off and lives devastated by the civil war in Tigray, an Ethiopian Government delegation arrives in Mekelle, the capital of the region. Also, tragedy has rocked Boksburg community in South Africa after a tanker explosion. Plus, thousands displaced and living in Kayaruchinya camp in the east of the DRC  return home to Kibumba after the M23 rebel withdrawal. And the Ganda...

More details about the people involved in the foiled coup in The Gambia raises more questions about what exactly happened on Tuesday night. Also, Egypt and Tanzania inaugurate the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam - the largest in East Africa. And a debate in South Sudan over the quality of English spoken by graduates. Some blame the failings of the education system. Those stories and more in this pod...

South Africa's President Ramaphosa breathes a sigh of relief after being re-elected leader of the ruling African National Congress, following a serious challenge by his former Health Minister. Also, the High Court in London rules the UK Government's asylum plan to send migrants to Rwanda is legal. And we hear from Senegal's rising music star Samba Peuzzi. Those stories and more in this podcast wit...

A new US-Africa trade pact. How will it differ from previous ones? Also, who threw a grenade into a camp housing thousands of refugees in Malawi? And Gabon aims to replace the Great Lakes Region as the prime gorilla viewing destination. Can it succeed? Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.

Three days of national mourning in the DRC following floods in which more than 120 people died. Also, the company that owns Facebook is in court in Kenya for spreading hate and violence during Ethiopia's civil war. And how the failure of the cryptocurrency FTX is affecting African investors. Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

President William Ruto of Kenya has launched his Hustler Fund to alleviate poverty, which he says over a million Kenyans have signed up for.  Also, Zimbabweans are trying to get to grips with the worst power shortages in years, but the Government is blaming former President Mugabe. Plus, Moroccans are still basking in the glory of making it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup. So what is t...

Malawi's Director of Public Prosecution is suspended after the head of the anti-corruption bureau is arrested  then released. We hear from Nigerian Presidential front runner Bola Tinubu of the ruling APC party. Why does he think now is the time for him to take the top job of president? Plus, the giant commodities conglomerate, Glencore, has agreed to pay $180million in corruption fines to the DRC....

Is the writing on the wall for South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa after the ANC executive meet today to decide his fate and there are calls from within his party for his impeachment? Also, tear gas is used to disperse thousands of Sudanese who've taken to the streets of Khartoum and other towns following the opposition civilians saying they've signed a framework agreement with the military.....

President Ramaphosa's presidency hangs in the balance following alleged misconduct in handling a theft at his farm; but what do South Africans think about this? Also, the Congolese Army has accused M23 rebels of killing around 50 civilians. Where does that leave the recently agreed truce? And can a man-made waterfall solve Cameroon's electricity problems?

From Mozambique: The son of former president Armando Guebuza is on trial for embezzlement, money laundering and blackmail in the country's biggest financial scandal. We'll hear how an army base housing the Wagner Group's fighters in the Central African Republic was bombed. In South Sudan: A spike in premature births - and attempts to keep the infants alive. Those stories and more in this podcast w...

Leaders from the Great Lakes region agree a ceasefire between the government of the DRC and M23. Also, Getachew Reda from the TPLF on the agreement they signed to end the war with Ethiopia. Plus, will this year’s budget kick-start Ghana’s stuttering economy?

Nigerians have to swap their current high-value banknotes for new ones by the end of January. Why the change? Also, we take a rare look at the workings of an elite Somali military unit fighting Al Shabab. Plus, from Harare - President Mnangagwa makes this year's state of the nation address in Zimbabwe's new parliamentary building. More on those stories in this podcast with Audrey Brown

Conflicting reports on how a prominent Pakistani journalist died in Kenya. Kenyan police say he was shot. Islamabad says he was tortured as well.  Who was he? And why was he in Nairobi? Also, the Somali government has shut down hundreds of social media accounts propagating the ideas of the militant group Al Shabaab. Plus, we'll hear how people in Cairo are dealing with toxic levels of air pollutio...

Climate activists say fossil fuel lobbyists are threatening to derail genuine solutions to climate damage at the summit in Egypt. Meanwhile, there are massive fuel shortages in Malawi. And we meet the South Africa  woman behind the "Future GhettoPunk" Music, Moonchild Sanelly. These stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

President Emmanuel Macron of France ends his country's anti-jihadist military operations in the Sahel... But why will some troops remain? Also, Nigeria's anti-drugs agency warns that smugglers are using new strategies to get narcotics into the country. And poetry from the Gambia. Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

On the eve of the second anniversary of the outbreak of Ethiopia’s civil war, we take a close look at the genesis of the conflict between the central federal government and Tigrayan rebels, and assess the prospects for lasting peace after both sides agree a deal to end the fighting.

Tensions rise further between the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Rwanda over M23 attacks. Both nations trade more accusations about supporting rebel groups and a diplomatic offensive deepens. Also, the parents of the Gambian babies and toddlers who say their children died from contaminated cough syrup are outraged by the latest findings. And a special BBC investigation asks if Moroc...

At least one hundred-and-twenty people are confirmed dead in Somalia following Saturday's attacks blamed on Al-Shabab militants. Also, Nigeria's Government condemns the recent terror alerts from western embassies as 'irresponsible' and 'unnecessary', but where did such warnings emanate? And how Guinea BIssau artist, Yasmine has become a popular Kizomba artist. Those stories and more in this podcas...

Security alerts in Nigeria and South Africa... We'll hear what they entail and how people are preparing to weather the warnings. And the story of how a four year-old Tunisian child ended up in Italy - on her own - after crossing on a smuggler's boat. Those stories and much more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

Burkina Faso recruits 50,000 civilians  to help take on Islamist militants. Also, illicit fishing on Africa's Atlantic coastline robs the continent of revenue and a vital source of protein - a report exposes those behind it And the breakaway Somaliland's chance discovery of black gold - Oil All these stories and more in this podcast presented by Hassan Arouni.

Police clash with protesters in Chad on the day that Mahamat Idriss Deby had promised to leave office. Also, a rural school in Uganda wins an international award as one of five unique schools in the world. And a young climate activist from Zambia spells out what developing countries should demand and get at the climate conference - COP 27. Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Hassan...

In today's podcast: The UN Commission on Human Rights calls for international action to end the human suffering in South Sudan. Plus, Nigerian kidnappers target hospital patients in the northern Niger state - killing some and going of with many others. And, Zimbabwe approves the use of a long term anti-HIV injection. Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Hassan Arouni.