Synopsis
News and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast is published from Monday to Friday. It contains the day's top African stories.
Episodes
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Fears of food insecurity in northern Nigeria
16/10/2024 Duration: 32minOn World Food Day we consider how changing weather patterns due to climate change are worsening Nigeria's food insecurity.BBC journalist Mohanad Hashim's emotional return to the city of his birth, Omdurman in Sudan, 18 months after the war startedAnd efforts to save the Yaaku language which is at risk of extinction in Kenya.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya, Blessing Aderogba, Nour Abida and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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What's the dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon?
15/10/2024 Duration: 31minEquatorial Guinea and Gabon have asked the International Court of Justice to help settle a dispute. They are both laying claim to oil rich Islands not far from their coastlines. But who owns the islands and how far back does this dispute go? Also why cargo ships vare losing hundreds of containers around the Cape of Good Hope in South AfricaAnd why is the Nigerian men's football team boycotting their AFCON qualifying game against Libya? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle and Victor Sylver in London. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Africa’s deadliest migration route
14/10/2024 Duration: 29minWhy would a migrant embark on a journey on Africa's deadliest migration route?A French-Cameroonian writer on trial in Paris for contesting the 1994 genocide in Rwanda-we find out whyAnd how excess salt in soil is affecting farming communities in AfricaPresenter :Charles Gitonga Producers: Amie Liebowitz, Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Susan Gachuhi Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga. Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi are our editors. I'm Charles Gitonga. We'll talk again next time. Technical producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why Eritrea hosted leaders from Egypt and Somalia
11/10/2024 Duration: 31minThe leaders of Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea, countries which all have strained relations with Ethiopia, have been meeting in the Eritrean capital, Asmara. Can Eritrea help de-escalete tension between its neighboursAlso an app that helps detect illnesses in people with black and brown skinAnd the Ugandan bill, seeking to restore respect for the elderly! Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Victor Sylver in London. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Zimbabwe in major land ownership shift
10/10/2024 Duration: 27minZimbabwe announces a major shift in its land tenure. Black farmers will get titles for land seized from white farmers but can only sell to "indigenous Zimbabweans"What's behind the rare flooding in the Sahara Desert?And a community in Uganda with an unusually high number of blind people.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle, Rukia Bulle, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga in London. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
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Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast's rocky relationship
09/10/2024 Duration: 31minBurkina Faso has allegedly withdrawn all its diplomats from Ivory Coast, worsening ties between the neighbours. The relationship has been rocky of late and earlier this year their ministers of defence held a meeting on the border, in a bid to bring about a "new start" in relations - but that meeting didn't seem to help. What's going on?Also how important is it for African countries to have a permanant seat on the UN Security Council - and how will they be chosen?And a story of hope in Malawi, after the country gets access to cancer treatment! Presenter: Charles Gitinga Producers: Rob Wilson, Nour Abida and Victor Sylver in London. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Ethiopia's first female president leaves office?
08/10/2024 Duration: 32minEthiopia's first female head of state replaced - meanwhile clashes continue in the Amhara region.How the relationship between Israel and African states has evolved a year since the Israel-Gaza war And a pioneer fashion show to highlight the plight of amputeesPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: :Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorne and Nyasha Michelle in London, and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi. Senior producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
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Will Mozambicans in Cabo Delgado vote?
07/10/2024 Duration: 30minMozambicans will vote for a new president this week, who many hope will bring peace to a country that has faced a jihadist insurgency in the north for almost seven years. How are security challenges impacting campaigning and voting? Also, did you know that for a year, Nigeria has not had any ambassadors representing the country abroad? What is the diplomatic impact?And we hear how climate change is affecting wine production in South Africa.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Blessing Aderogba was in Lagos Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Chagos Islands: What next after UK hand over?
04/10/2024 Duration: 31minBritain agrees to give sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but what follows next?Why the Islamic police in Kano northern Nigeria is cracking down on sports bettingAnd why are parents sending very young children to boarding school in Lesotho?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Nick Randell Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Kenya's Deputy President faces impeachment
03/10/2024 Duration: 35minKenya's Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who calls himself the “truthful man”, is facing impeachment. Before he was elected as a member of parliament in 2017 little was known about the man, who would in five short years, rise to become Kenya’s second-in-command. So who is he and why is he facing impeachment? Also how are Tunisian's feeling ahead of their Presidential elections on Sunday? And once a popular event in Zimbabwe, what do Zimbabweans now think of their State of Nation Address and how are they reacting to their currency's recent crash? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Rob Wilson and Benjamin Woodroof in London. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Lebanon conflict: A reporter’s witness account.
02/10/2024 Duration: 27minLebanon conflict: As Israel continues to attack, we learn the plight of foreigners stranded thereWe assess the state of security in Mali following last month's deadly attack in the capital, BamakoAnd outrage in Egypt after a video showing possible sexual harassment by male doctors goes viral. A medical association vows to investigate.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London. With Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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DR Congo appeals to the UN
01/10/2024 Duration: 28minThe newly appointed Foreign Minister of the DR Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, tells Focus on Africa, the crisis faced in her country is an international not a regional one. We'll get the details from the BBC's Wahiga Mwaura.Also we'll hear from a member of Eswatini's opposition party after an alleged poisoning attempt on their leader.And why illegal lithium mining is on the rise in Nigeria.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Devastating impact of cocaine on Cape Verde
30/09/2024 Duration: 31minBBC Africa Eye investigates how some sailors were tricked into smuggling cocaine to Cape Verde. We’ll also meet the rap artist and former cocaine addict who is helping addicts Why South Sudan lawyers are challenging the postponement of elections in court Plus, harrowing tales of the conditions young Kenyan doctors operate underPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Rob Wilson in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Inside the Sudan war with the Sudanese army
27/09/2024 Duration: 31minThe leader of the Sudanese army has told UN General Assembly in New York, that a peace deal depends on the paramilitary Rapid Support Force laying down their arms. The army has also launched a major offensive in the capital Khartoum, targeting areas in the hands of RSF. The BBC's Barbara Plett has got rare access to Sudan. She's accompanied the army to some areas and reports on the how the war is devastating lives.Also, was there an attempted coup in Benin, and by whom? And the remains of South African anti apartheid freedom fighters who died whilst in exile, are returned home for proper burial.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver and Rob Wilson in London Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Ediros: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Kenya: ‘excessive force’ used during protests
26/09/2024 Duration: 31minKenyan police are alleged to have used unlawful force during protests in June. How African countries benefit from having satellites in spaceAnd Ethiopia finally launches a stock market. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Technical producer : Nick Randell Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga. Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why is galamsey such a big deal in Ghana?
25/09/2024 Duration: 34minA coalition of civil society organizations, labor unions, media outlets and religious leaders in Ghana have intensified pressure on the government to act decisively against illegal mining, known as galamsey. What impact does galamsey have on the country? Also, an appeal from Amnesty International to release four activists detained in Angola. There's concern over their detriorating health. We'll hear from the wife of one of those detained. And a challenge to the organisers of Fashion Week in Nigeria..to add plus size models to the catwalk!Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why the opposition in Tanzania is concerned by abductions?
24/09/2024 Duration: 29minThe Tanzanian opposition is concerned by abductions in the country they suggest are meant to cower the opposition. The Zimbabwe plans to cull at least 200 elephants. The meat will be used to feed hungry people. So what are the challenges and advantages of eating elephant meat?And why did Botswana's ex-president return home to face trial. Does he have other plans afoot?Presenter :Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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What the gender equity bill means for women in Ghana
23/09/2024 Duration: 33minWe hear reaction from Ghana where President Nana Akufo Addo signed the gender equality bill. Women's rights advocates are calling for the immediate implementation of the nearly 30-year-old bill.Also, what is the legacy of Ali Bongo, the disposed president of Gabon? The former head of state has in a letter, announced he has quit politics.And how the demand for frankincense is promoting poor harvesting methods in countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Frenny Jowi Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why Nigeria risks floods from waters released by Cameroon
20/09/2024 Duration: 31minNigeria warns of massive potential flooding after neighbouring Cameroon releases dam waters. Why has Nigeria failed to construct a buffer dam over the years?We look at cybersecurity and its best practice in AfricaAnd why is Hungary sending soldiers to Chad? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Charles Gitonga, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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The abduction of children in South Sudan
19/09/2024 Duration: 30minOver one thousand children are feared still missing in Pibor, South Sudan. An initiative is now underway to try and reunite abducted children with their families. Over the past few weeks, around 200 of them have been brought back home. But why are they being abducted and by whom? Also why did thousands of young people attempt to cross the border between Morocco and Ceuta, in the northern part of the continent over the weekend? And did you know that Ceuta is still a Spanish territory? And why has South Africa's famous son, Elon Musk still not agreed a deal with the South African government and his company, Starlink? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Mutehngi and Andre Lombard