Focus on Africa

The Tanzanian opposition leader, Tundu Lissu is back in the country from self-imposed exile. Tanzanians are happy he's back... but will he be allowed to operate freely?A thousand cholera deaths in Malawi makes it the worst outbreak in its history. Three other countries are struggling to contain the illness as well. We'll hear what efforts are being made.Also: a new report on justice for Africa's children as ever more of them are forced from the playground and into a gruelling labour market.Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

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 in Sierra Leone.And our resident presidents on Ethiopia's peace process.Those stories in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.

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 this podcast presented by Audrey Brown

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 more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.

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 Boys bring the warmth of Uganda as they share their folk music with the world.Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

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 podcast with Audrey Brown.

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 with Bola Mosuro.

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 the secret of their success? We hear from Casablanca.And we speak to Zambian artist Sampa the Great, whose name is a true reflection of her achievements so far. She shares her story, musical style, and love of African futurism and sci-fi.Those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

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.Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

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... Sudanese resistance movements accuse them of letting the coup leaders off the hook.Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

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 with Audrey Brown.

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 pollution.These stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

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 Moroccan border guards were responsible for the deaths of African migrants in June.More on those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

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 podcast with Bola Mosuro.

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 itAnd the breakaway Somaliland's chance discovery of black gold - OilAll 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 Arouni.

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.

In Ethopia there are grave concerns for people in the town of Shire in the northern Tigray region after days of intense fighting.. Government forces have taken it from the Tigray People's Liberation Front and two other towns.Also in today's podcast, President Emmerson Mnanagagwa of Zimabwe has said he's launching a commission to heal wounds by talking of operation Gukurahundi where more than 20,000 were massacred in Matabeleland.. We hear from a representative of survivors.And we hear about the power of Oba Obirin - so called Female Kings not Queens in ancient Yorubaland.Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

How can Africa weather the global economic storm? We ask the IMF's top Africa director.Also, Nigerian university lecturers call off their eight-month strike, but for how long?And we remember the deadliest terror attack in Somalia's history - it happened five years ago.Those stories and more in this podcast with Hassan Arouni.

Atrocities continue in northern Ethiopia - both sides accused of crimes against civilians.Also, the first known ebola death in Kampala during the current outbreak: We speak to an expert about what the authorities should be doing to control it.And we hear from a young Focus on Africa listener - aged 12 - who's creating computer games.Those stories and much more in this podcast presented by Hassan Arouni.

The World Health Organisation issues a global alert warning that four cough syrups manufactured in India could be linked to the deaths of dozens of children in The Gambia. We hear from the director of Health Services.Also, why does the insurgency in Northern Mozambique continue five years on?Plus, the prestigious Makrere University is 100 years old.More on those and other stories in this podcast with Paul Bakibinga.

In today's podcast:Ugandans' tongues are wagging after a day which saw the President's son first demoted and then promoted to full General after a series of bizarre tweets that threatened to cause a diplomatic rift with neighboring Kenya.Also, a $100 million dollar cocaine haul has been seized in Liberia by the Drugs Enforcement Agency, and a number of arrests made after a tip-off from the Americans, and it seems to point to a global syndicate.Plus, thirteen women who'd been abducted from between three weeks to six months are rescued from their captors in Zambia.Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

In today's podcast: We look at the local forces aiding the successful Somali government onslaught against Al Shabab.As Uganda waits for a presidential statement on the ebola outbreak, we'll hear from someone living in Mubende where the outbreak started.Plus: the famed forth plinth on London's Trafalgar Square will be home to a statue of a Malawian anti-colonial freedom fighting priest.More on those stories in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

In today's podcast: Uganda's Medical Association tells members not to treat ebola patients without PPE, and asks the Government to quarantine hotspot areas after doctors and interns are exposed to the deadly disease.Also, Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru who was facing witness interference charges at the International Criminal Court is found dead at his home. The police are now investigating.Plus, how and why is former president, Jacob Zuma trying to make a political comeback in South Africa?More on those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Mahamat Abdel Said, leader from the Seleka rebel movement in the Central African Republic, has appeared before the International Criminal Court for the first day of his war crimes trial.Also, Ugandan authorities confirm that twenty-three people have now died of ebola. Other patients are awaiting diagnosis, but now, some doctors and nurses are striking.And it's twenty years since nearly two thousand people drowned on the Joola ferry in Senegal. We hear from a survivor and family members who want closure, but why is one of the World's worst shIpping disasters not known by many?Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Buhari of Nigeria raise regional concerns and global fears at the United Nations General Assembly.Also, massive floods across most of Nigeria. In one town at least 500 graves and crops have been washed away.Plus, Somali special forces - along with an armed local group - have reclaimed large swathes of territory from Al Shabaab.And Zambia's President Hichilima on his first year in office.More on those stories in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.

A UN Commission on human rights reports on major atrocities being perpetrated by both the TPLF and Ethiopian Government forces particularly in Tigray... We hear how civilians have suffered.Also, Ugandan authorities confirm an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease... A twenty-four year old man has been identified, but could there have been a handful of others before hand?And Iyanu, a child superhero based on Yoruba mythology created by Roye Okupe is a graphic novel turned Cartoon to be streamed by HBO and Cartoon Network.These stories and more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has been laid to rest after a funeral service at Westminster Abbey in London. African leaders were among those in attendance. Tens of thousands lined the streets to bid her farewell and pay their respects. We hear from Windsor where The Queen was laid to rest, and we discuss the role of the Commonwealth with King Charles III as head.Also, Cameroon's Catholic Church speaks about abductions of priests and a nun.Plus, South Africa's President Ramaphosa is rushing back home from the UK today after his country is plunged into state 6 of a power crisis.More on those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Eritrea has mobilised thousands of army reservists and massed them along the border with Ethiopia.Also, the Egyptian authorities have released 46 people - most of them activists in detention without trial.Plus, the controversial Nyege Nyege music festival is finally underway in Uganda. And as the UK prepares to bury Queen Elizabeth, we assess her legacy in South Africa.More on those stories and others in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.

In Sudan floods force the government to push back the reopening of schools by two weeks.Also, the war goes on in the north of Ethiopia - currently, Tigrayan forces say they have ceded control of a couple of townsPlus, the African mourners - in London - paying their last respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.Those and other stories in this podcast with Hassan Arouni.

Tigrayan forces in Ethiopia say they are ready for a ceasefire after a five month truce broke down. They also pledged willingness to participate in African Union-led talks. Will the Government in Addis respond in kind?Also, Uganda pays the DRC $65 million dollars in reparations for the invasion by UPDF forces and looting of resources during the war in the 1990s. Could the ICJ ruling set a precedent?Plus, how some African nations are reacting to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her body now lays at rest in Edinburgh. What could King Charles III's accession mean for Africa and the commonwealth?Those and other stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

A landslide after heavy rains claims at least fifteen lives in Uganda.Also, the latest on a grain shipment from Ukraine to the Horn of Africa. Will it reach the people who need it most?And Cameroonian parents brave the dangers of a vicious civil conflict to send their children back to school after a six-year gap.Those stories and more in this podcast.

The UN say millions are at risk of famine in the Horn of Africa following the worst drought in 70 years. We hear from Somalia where the Islamic relief fund describe what they are doing for 7 million already facing starvation.And, over 35 people are killed in Burkina Faso after a bus hit an Improvised Explosive Device. It's said Jihadists are increasing attacks in the midsts of a deepening humanitarian crisis.Those stories and others in this podcast.

William Ruto has been declared the next President of Kenya after the Supreme court rejected all challenges by Raila Odinga who said the results of the August elections were fraudulent.Also, Zambia's finance minister outlines the new fiscal package for the nation after a loan of $1.3billion is promised by the IMF.Plus, the South African pharmaceutical giant Aspen which had been forced to cease production of the COVID vaccine has announced it will produce four life-saving vaccines crucial for children on the continent.Those stories and more in this podcast.

Zambia has agreed a $1.3 billion bailout loan with the IMF after months of negotiations. We’ll look at what this might mean for the country. Why a community in North-West Cameroon are concerned about a strange smell coming from a crater lake. And Ghanaian-born British Vogue editor Edward Eninnful talks about his new memoir, A Visible Man.

Reports of a hospital being bombed in Tigray as fighting intensifies. Both sides once again blaming each other for the atrocity.Also, what are the real reasons behind the collapse of the South African health system?Plus, the last Soviet-era leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, has died. What did he mean for the continent at the end of the 20th century?These stories and more in the podcast.

Final results for Angola's elections have been declared - the governing MPLA and President Lourenco are the winners - but opponents, Unita, stand by their claim that the result is a sham.Also, after a weekend of what's been described as the worst fighting in two years - we ask, who are the players in the deadly struggle for power in Libya?And a ship carrying grains of hope from Ukraine to the drought stricken horn of Africa - expected to dock in Djibouti soon.These stories and more in the podcast.

We'll be in Ethiopia where the blame game over the latest outbreak of fighting continues. We'll hear from Tigrayan spokesperson Getachew Reda.Also, latest figures show that Angola's ruling MPLA is in the lead following elections. It's by no means conclusive - but there is surprise at the speed with which the count is going.Plus, French President Macron is in Algeria following controversial remarks about the country's past. Will Algerians let bygones be bygones?And Ugandan artists demand a fair share of profits made from ringtones - or Call Ring Back Tunes - using their music.

Government and Tigrayan officials are blaming each other for renewed fighting in the north of Ethiopia.Also, thousands of South African workers are on strike over the rising cost of living.Plus, Togo's ambitions to become the continental hub for cyber security and digital innovation.All those stories and more in this podcast.

China writes off 23 debts owed by 17 African countries - does that give a lie to the so-called China debt trap?Also, rural Kenyans take Britain to Europe's top human rights court over historical forceful land evictions - what is their goal?Plus more stories in this podcast.

The Kenyan Presidential contender, Raila Odinga, has filed a legal challenge to last week's election results.And we look at the aftermath of a two-day siege in a bombed hotel in Mogadishu, which finally ended after 30 hours.Much more on those stories and others in this podcast.