Focus on Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that South Africa has been approached to play a mediation role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.Nigerian customs officials say they have intercepted 1,390 sacks of donkey meat in the north-western state of Kebbi near the border with Niger.At least 750 civilians were killed in the northern Afar and Amhara regions in the second half of last year, Ethiopia's human rights body says.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the authorities to re-register all motorbike taxi operators - locally known as boda-bodas - following public outrage over an attack on a woman in her car in the capital, Nairobi.Plus, Nigerian women push members of parliament to reconsider gender laws. In Ukraine, we hear from a Cameroonian student who is one of many still stranded in the besieged city of Kherson is in the south west.And we meet the Kenyan teenager who is rising tennis star.Presented by Aisha Afrah. Producer: Patricia Whitehorne.

Eritrea was one of only five countries in the world to vote against a UN resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supporting sanctions.Kenya's deputy president says it's up to the people of Kenya to make up their own minds on the fallout between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta.Plus singer, songwriter, and record producer Davido talks about what it takes to stay at the top of his profession for more than a decade.

As the fighting continues in Ukraine, thousands continue to pour out of the country. We hear about the situation at the Polish border. A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has temporarily removed control of a huge copper and cobalt mine from its Chinese owners. Plus, we hear from an avid listener who tunes into the BBC everyday despite not speaking English.

The trial of Paul Gicheru, a Kenyan lawyer accused of bribing prosecution witnesses of the International Criminal Court has started in The Hague. The arrest of Nigerian "super cop" Abba Kyari on drug-trafficking charges has laid bare the "public bickering" between two of Nigeria's law enforcement bodies, an analyst told the BBC. Commander Abba Kyari is accused of trying to recruit fellow officers into a drug plot. Plus we talk to Syriacus Buguzi, a Tanzanian medical doctor turned journalist, he tells us why he started the first science and technology newspaper in Swahili language.

A Sudanese politician who had been a member of the dissolved joint civilian-military government has been arrested.Some Chagossians evicted from the islands 50 years ago returned in a trip organised by the Mauritian government. The Mauritian flag has been raised for the very first time on the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. Plus hear from Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold, he explains how the pandemic encourage him to embrace the idea of change and develop a new musical style.

A teachers' union in Zimbabwe has gone to court to challenge the government's decision to suspend thousands of staff who have not been going to work, citing low pay.The UN is warning that South Sudan could spiral back into civil war because of delays in implementing the 2018 peace deal that brought nearly six years of conflict to an end.This week our resident presidents are talking about democracy.

Uganda’s Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi has told the BBC the government is investigating allegations that novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was tortured while he spent a month in custody. Parliament in Libya has unanimously approved a new interim prime minister in a move that threatens to spark a new power struggle in the country as there already is someone else who holds that position. Plus we hear about a documentary exploring the Ghanaian city of Bukom renowned for having produced the most world boxing champions from Africa.

Scientists in South Africa have made a copy of the Moderna Covid vaccine, a move which they say could help boost vaccination rates across Africa. West African regional bloc Ecowas will deploy troops to Guinea-Bissau to help stabilise the country after this week's attempted coup. The first AU summit since the pandemic began in 2020 kicks off in Addis Ababa this weekend. What's on the agenda?

The president of Ghana has warned that West Africa is in great danger as a result of recent coups in the region. A 20-year study on the use of treated mosquito bed nets in Tanzania has found that children who sleep under them at an early age are more likely to survive into adulthood.There are concerns over the possible environmental impact of an explosion on an oil production vessel off the coast of Nigeria.

The West African regional body Ecowas has suspended Burkina Faso's membership following this week's military coup. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is warning of extreme hunger in northern Ethiopia. Aid agencies face severe challenges delivering supplies to Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where government forces have been fighting rebels for more than a year. Rwanda will re-open its border with Uganda from next week, the government has announced.

Rescue teams in Ghana are searching for survivors following a huge explosion that killed at least 13 people.Scientists say the plant enset, an Ethiopian staple, could be a new superfood and a lifesaver in the face of climate change.Plus, our Resident Presidents offer their satirical take on the winter games due to start in China in two weeks.

Many people are feared dead after a huge explosion near a mining town in western Ghana. Police say a vehicle carrying mining explosives collided with a motorcycle near the town of Bogoso. Liberia's President George Weah has declared three days of mourning following the death of 29 people in a stampede during a church service held on a football field in the capital, Monrovia.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa opens a brand new Covid vaccine plant in Cape Town, which could be a game-changer in the fight against the pandemic.Meanwhile, Cameroon's plan to get people vaccinated using their love of football isn't going too well.Also: an MP from Somaliland argues against independence from Somalia.And the Ghanaian artist, activist and humanitarian, Rocky Dawuni and his latest album Voice Of Bunbon.

The leader of the Tigray People's Liberation Front has called for an immediate ceasefire in the year-long war with Ethiopian government forces. Also, Sudanese protestors are teargassed as they continue protests against the army and try to mark three years since Omar El Bashir was ousted.Plus, new measures are enforced around the continent as governments try to protect civilians as Omicron cases rise.

The opposition leader in Benin, Reckya Madougou, has appeared at the country's Economic Crime and Terrorism Court on charges of financing terrorism.The Ghanaian government has said that from midnight on Sunday all visitors to the country need to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus before being allowed to enter.

At least 38 people have died and scores more have been injured in a fire which tore through a prison in Burundi. At least 600 women and girls have been kidnapped and enslaved in the last three years by militants in Mozambique northern province of Cabo Delgado, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says. US Senator Chris Coons says he advised Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed against waging war on TPLF in Tigray for fear that a 'fracturing conflict' might lead to genocide in Ethiopia.

Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK has branded as "travel apartheid" the UK's decision to put the West African state on its red list, meaning travellers have to pay to isolate in a quarantine hotel. More than 180,000 people have signed petitions demanding justice after the death of a 12-year-old boarding school pupil in Nigeria.

The new coronavirus variant Omicron has now become dominant in South Africa and is driving a sharp increase in new infections, health officials say.The United Nations says Botswana has taken a significant step towards eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it has detected the Omicron variant in travellers from South Africa who arrived in Nigeria last week.With three days to go to the presidential election in Gambia, We'll hear why people in ex president Jammeh's ancestral home support him.

Thousands of people are taking part in a protest in Sudan's capital Khartoum, against the country's military leaders.The Ugandan army has launched joint air and artillery strikes against the rebel group the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Those who bear the greatest responsibility for the crimes committed during the presidency of Yahya Jammeh in The Gambia should be prosecuted, according to head of a commission that has been looking into the events that took place during his 22-year rule. Campaigns against gender-based violence have made some gains, but the pandemic has put progress at risk, says Zebib Kavuma, UN Women Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. Liberia singer Miatta Fahnbulleh on receiving a Life Time Achievement Award in recognition of her longevity in the music business.

The COP26 climate summit in Glasgow is entering its final day, amid growing fears that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C is unlikely to be met.The US, UK and Norway, along with the European Union have criticised the move by Sudan's Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to name a new ruling council with himself as the leader and excluding civilian members of the previous council.The United States' top-ranking military official in Africa has said that events in Ethiopia could affect the security and safety of the rest of the region.

FW de Klerk, the former president of South Africa and the last white person to lead the country, has died at the age of 85. We speak to Joseph Boakai, Liberia's former vice president. Does he have what it takes to win power from George Weah? A Sudanese a court has ordered the three main telecommunications providers to restore internet access in the country.

Guinea's military junta leader, Colonel Doumbouya holds meetings with religious and political groups ahead of announcing a transitional government.Plus an accountability group warns that the internet and phone blackout In Nigeria’s Zamfara state aimed at thwarting the activities of bandits, is also harming families and businesses.And DJ Edu catches up with popular Angolan singer Anna Joyce who has just released a new album in several years.

Col Mamady Doumbouya, who led the coup which ousted Guinea's President Alpha Condé, has begun to consolidate the takeover with the installation of army officers at the top of the country's eight regions and various administrative districts.Plus two Ugandan MPs are charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the mysterious killings in Masaka in the Central Region.And DJ Rita Ray gives us her latest top picks of the hottest sounds across Africa, and this month it is all about the beats.

Zambia's new president has told the BBC that he has inherited an "empty" treasury, while "horrifying" amounts of money had been stolen.Nurses in The Gambia have started a three-day nationwide strike over non-payment of allowances approved in May.

Gunmen in Nigeria have freed a number of pupils who were kidnapped from an Islamic school in May, according to their head teacher. Why are women's and girl's reproductive rights under siege despite Kenya's new Constitution? We hear from an initiative in Somalia that could bring peace in the country through poetry.

Appeal Court judges in Kenya have upheld an earlier decision by a lower court blocking a government-backed plan to make fundamental changes to the country's constitution, calling the project "unconstitutional and unlawful."Authorities in Uganda have suspended the work of at least 50 local NGOs for various reasons including failure to register.Kenya has launched its first-ever national wildlife census, which will count the number creatures on both land and sea.

Uganda will take in 2,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the crisis in their country.Refugees Minister Esther Anyakun told the BBC that President Yoweri Museveni agreed to take in the refugees at the request of the Americans.Kenya's Public Prosecutor orders the arrest of six Police officers linked to the death of two brothers. A Zimbabwean-led initiative aiming to put more girls in school has attracted financing from philanthropic organisations.

Burkina Faso’s former president Blaise Compaore faces a military trial, accused of involvement in the killing of his predecessor Thomas Sankara.Plus, more than 40 people have died after their boat got into trouble between Yemen and Djibouti.And we meet the children’s author from Sierra Leone who wants to decolonise the alphabet.

Millions of Somalis face severe food shortages and hunger by the end of the year due to low rainfall and destructive locusts. Eritrean authorities release dozens of prisoners jailed for practising their Christian faith. And Uganda and Tanzania sign a long awaited oil pipeline deal.

Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan has outlined a shift in government policy in the areas of media freedom, Covid-19 response and foreign policy.Sudan has declared a state of emergency in west Darfur following deadly tribal clashes.And why Zimbabwe's once famed education system has become a pale shadow of its former self.

The Covid-19 crisis has been the big story of 2020 but how has Africa handled the pandemic, and amid the serious set backs have there also been some digital and technical gains? What opportunities will the African Continental Free Trade Area bring after it comes into effect in January 2021? How can Africa take charge of its own climate change policies? And is the continent ready for the fourth Industrial Revolution?These are some of the questions that the guest panel of Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Rebecca Enonchong, Professor Ken Opalo and Professor Landry Signé address with presenter Dickens Olewe as they look back at the issues and trends in Africa over the past year, and discuss what 2021 might bring.Producer: Patricia Whitehorne

From a prestigious award for standing up for science, to breaking barriers to become the highest ranking woman in the Nigerian police force, and the ultra-viral internet dance challenge, Jerusalema – in this special Christmas edition of the podcast we look back at the inspiring stories that made us all think, smile and laugh in an otherwise difficult year.

At least 15 top Kenyan government officials and businesspeople face prosecution in connection for alleged theft of tens of millions of dollars meant for Covid-19 supplies. Zambia’s credit rating has been downgraded over mounting debt crisis.We also meet the man responsible for carrying on the tradition of the talking drum.

The United States has imposed sanctions on the country's former First Lady Zineb Jammeh accusing her of corruption during her husband Yahya Jammeh's rule. The US treasury suspects her of helping the former president transfer money illegally, and controlling his assets abroad. Talks have continued between Mali's military junta and opposition parties to try break a deadlock over a proposed transitional agreement. Zimbabwe's plan to return farms to foreign white farmers who lost their land some 20 years ago under the rule of Robert Mugabe.

Cameroon army launch operation dubbed "Bamenda Clean." It aims to restore order to the capital of the Northwest Region which the army claims has been the target of attacks by what it calls "terrorists and criminals".Zimbabwe bans mining operations in the country's national parks following an outcry over proposed mining activities in Hwange National Park by two Chinese companies.South Africa introduce laws to try and deal with high levels of gender based violence in the country.

Uganda’s Deputy Labour Minister, Mwesigwa Rukutana was today charged of attempted murder following a shooting incident during NRM party primary elections at the weekend.Protesters in South Africa force the closure of Clicks chain stores because of an advert deemed to be racist. Zimbabwe journalist Hopewell Chin’ono narrates his arrest and prison ordeal.

African presidents are among world leaders calling for a free Covid-19 vaccine that should be made available worldwide. The European Union pledges 480 million Euros to help revive Sudan's struggling economy. Our Resident Presidents tell us why health experts aren’t their cup of tea.

Burundi has ordered four key staff members of the World Health Organisation to leave the country. Clashes in Sudan’s South Kordofan region leave at least 26 dead. Our listeners share their experiences of life under lockdown.

Lesotho today became the last country on the African continent to record a coronavirus case. Cameroon's Julie Owono talks about her appointment to the board overseeing Facebook content. Malawian artist Hazel Mak on her new ‘Unorthodox’ album.

Zambia has acted quickly to close the border with Tanzania after a surge in Covid-19 cases near the national boundary. Sierra Leone grapples with a spate of violence in areas supportive of the main opposition party. And we hear from France-based singer YSEE on Tony Allen’s final recording before his passing.

Malawi’s Supreme Court has upheld the invalidation of last year's presidential election results and ruled that Peter Mutharika was not duly elected.Political tensions are rising in Ethiopia over the postponement of elections which were scheduled for August this year.And the miraculous tale of a migratory Mongolian Cuckoo called Onon which flew from Kenya to Asia in just seven days - a journey that normally takes seven days.

Madagascar is conducting mass coronavirus tests in its worst hit area and more on its Covid-Organics.Why are schools being vandalised during coronavirus lockdown in South Africa?And the we hear from,ML Kejera, the first Gambian to be shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

Some African countries among them Nigeria, South Africa and Rwanda have started relaxing coronavirus measures but some of their citizens see it as an ill-advised move.Tanzania President John Magufuli criticised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.Somalia remains one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist in the world.

The South Africa government has outlined a stimulus package to aid the country's recovery from the effects of coronavirusThe South African-Ghanaian entrepreneur helping light up Sierra LeoneEast Africa face the combined threat of coronavirus and a second wave of locust swarms thought be 20 times bigger that the one which began last year

Police in Morocco have arrested more than fifty thousand people for violating coronavirus emergency measuresAfrican nurses and doctors on how they are dealing with coronavirus on the frontline of the fight in Europe and the US.And Angelique Kidjo repurpose an old song to help spread the message on coronavirus

The Cameroonian government has admitted the involvement of its military in the death of civilians last FebruaryHow the coronavirus pandemic has given the planet a lifeline Kenya government hunts a group of people who escaped from a quarantine facility

A dip in oil demand around the world is having big effect on Africa's countries big producers Nigeria and Angola.We hear from a hand washing expert who is on a mission to save lives and she also has tips on how to keep clean even when there's no water. And a group of Kenyans question why they are being forced to stay in quarantine despite testing positive for coronavirus.