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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Bakers go on strike in Nigeria
21/07/2022 Duration: 25minBread makers in Nigeria turn off their ovens for four days in protest, as one of the country’s bakers unions is demanding the federal government subsidize the cost of baking products. Also, we're on the presidential campaign trail here in Kenya.
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Marburg virus confirmed in Ghana
18/07/2022 Duration: 30minGhanaian health authorities confirm there's been an outbreak of Marburg virus with two deaths. The Director General of Ghana's health service tells us how they are trying to contain the disease and spread awareness in the country.Also, in Zimbabwe officials are investigating how indigenous grains can help stave off food insecurity.Plus, Chadian rebel groups are outraged by the latest announcement by transitional President Mahamat Idris Deby.And we hear from the rising Kenyan RnB and neo soul star, Karun.
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Tunisia gets a new draft constitution
01/07/2022 Duration: 30minA new draft constitution for Tunisia, drawn up by a committee especially picked by President Kais Saied.Also, we'll return to Sudan where 3 more people have been killed in latest protests.And the Residents Presidents discuss the Commonwealth.Much more on those and other stories in this podcast.
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Tensions rise between Ethiopia and Sudan
28/06/2022 Duration: 23minTensions continue to rise between Ethiopia and Sudan, as the latter recalls its ambassador.Also, the United Nations becomes the latest body to call for an independent inquiry over Morocco migrant deaths at the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Plus, Sierra Leone reacts to the US Supreme court banning abortion.And much more in this. podcast.
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Mysterious deaths at a bar in South Africa
27/06/2022 Duration: 32minSouth African police investigate the mysterious deaths of twenty two young people in a bar in the city of East London.Also, Nigeria's Zamfara state tells residents to take up arms against kidnap gangs and violent attacks, but how will it work?And after the U.S Supreme Court's decision to overturn its own landmark ruling in 'Roe v Wade', should Africa care?Plus much more in this podcast.
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Two days of high-level talks begin at CHOGM
24/06/2022 Duration: 23minCommonwealth heads of state and government begin two days of talks in Rwanda. Big issues on the table including trade, climate change, and even food on your table. Bola Mosuro will be telling us more from Kigali.Also, we will also be hearing from South Africa, where the so-called dirty fuel, King Coal is enjoying a rare bonanza.That and other stories in this podcast.
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Anticipated report on corruption in South Africa is out
23/06/2022 Duration: 40minA much anticipated report on corruption is out in South Africa. The Zondo Report criticises the African National Congress for creating an environment that enabled corruption and wide scale looting under former President Jacob Zuma.Also, an urgent appeal to the international comunity over the famine in Somalia.Those stories and more on Africa Today.
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Russia: At least forty-two African mercenaries killed in Ukraine
22/06/2022 Duration: 35minThe Russian Ministry of Defence says at least forty-two African mercenaries have been killed in Ukraine, but what do we know so far?Also, why is Burkina Faso's army conducting an eight-hour military exercise in the capital, Ouagadougou? How often does this happen and are residents aware of what's going on?That and much more in the podcast.
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Belgium returns the tooth of Patrice Lumumba
20/06/2022 Duration: 44minBelgium returns a tooth belonging to the Congolese independence hero, Patrice Lumumba, more than 60 years after his brutal murder.Also, one of Sierra Leone's most popular musicians has his dreadlocks shaved by the police - the Inspector General defends the action.And the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has opened in Kigali. Focus on Africa's Bola Mosuro is there.
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South Africa considers importing Russian crude
17/06/2022 Duration: 32minSouth Africa considers importing crude oil from Russia. The country's Energy Minister says Russian oil is not on the sanctions list.Also, the Democratic Republic of Congo says it's suspending all trade agreements with Rwanda. They say it's because Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebels which further exaccerbates levels of violence in the Eastern DRC. Kigali denies this claim.Plus more...
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Clashes between police and Tanzania's Maasai
10/06/2022 Duration: 21minWe hear the latest on clashes between police and the Maasai community in Tanzania.And what's happening to residents still displaced by the floods in Durban, South Africa? Has local government done enough to help them? We'll hear from the Deputy Mayor.
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Rwandan former combatants resettle in the country
24/05/2022 Duration: 35minMore than 700 people made up of Rwandan former combatants and their families are resettling in the country. Most used to be FDLR ethnic Hutu fighters who have undergone rehabilitation and training.Also, chief virologist, Dr. John Nkengasong, takes on a new role as coordinator of PEPFAR - the US initiative on HIV and Aids - and says he'll still be serving Africa.Plus, floods uproot lives in Ghana's capital with homes swamped by heavy rains.
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Hopes are fading fast for trapped miners in Burkina Faso
17/05/2022 Duration: 23minHopes of finding eight miners trapped more than 700 metres underground in Burkina Faso are fading after rescuers today found a second safety chamber empty. We hear the frustrations and despair of some of the men's wives.Also, Nigeria's chief accountant has been arrested in connection with a $190 million dollar fraud case involving money laundering and diversion of funds.And how South Africa is tackling high youth unemployment.
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Africa in the grip of a fuel crisis
09/05/2022 Duration: 26minThe fuel prices emergency is hitting households across the continent, from Egypt to Tanzania, Uganda to Nigeria and South Africa. The airline industry has also been affected. So what can governments do?Also, in Somalia, dozens of candidates have registered for the presidential race in six days. We hear who's challenging the incumbent, Farmajo.Plus, how South African singer, Nomfundo Moh, has made it big in the world of music.
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A major attack on ATMIS forces in Somalia
03/05/2022 Duration: 22minThere's been a major attack on an ATMIS forces base in Somalia. Al Shabab militants have claimed responsibility, and there are fears about the death toll.The UN Secretary General speaks after visiting camps in Nigeria's Borno state housing hundreds of thousands of victims displaced by Boko Haram and Islamist insurgent attacks. Meanwhile, one NGO decries the closure of camps which have left IDPs in unsafe and vulnerable conditions.Mali's military leader announces they're cutting ties with France accusing the French of flagrant security violations.Plus, how 16 months of civil war in Tigray in northern Ethiopia and turbulence in other regions have affected press freedom in the country.
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Report alleges Zuma put self-interest over country
29/04/2022 Duration: 29minA damning report alleges that ex South African President Jacob Zuma put interests of his corrupt associates ahead of those of his country.Also, why have a group of Turkish nationals who've been running a high performing high school in Liberia been expelled from the country?And Kenya bids farewell to its third president Mwai Kibaki at a State funeral in Nairobi.
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Concerns over police-enforced brutality and disappearances in Kenya
27/04/2022 Duration: 29minToday: Mounting concerns about the rise in police brutality and disappearances in Kenya.Also, a BBC investigation uncovers the ugly and dangerous side of Egypt's beauty industry.(Image: Kenyan activists protest against police brutality in Nairobi. Credit: EPA)
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Angola suspends salaries of striking doctors
01/04/2022 Duration: 20minAngola's government has suspended the salaries of more than 5,000 doctors, describing their strike action as illegal.Malawians no longer have to pay tax on sanitary pads – as a 16.5% levy has been axed.The World Food Program says its food trucks have entered rebel held areas in Ethiopia’s war-torn region of Tigray for the first time since December last year.
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'Historic' day as DR Congo joins East Africa trade bloc
29/03/2022 Duration: 28minIn a move which has been described as "historic", the Democratic Republic of Congo has officially been admitted to the East African Community (EAC) trade bloc. Seven passengers have died after gunmen attacked a busy train between Nigeria's capital, Abuja, and Kaduna city, hospital sources have told the BBC.
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Malawi ramps up polio vaccination after outbreak
21/03/2022 Duration: 27minMalawi kicked off a polio vaccination campaign targeting up to three million children under the age of five. To mark the International Day of Forests, we find out about the health of the second largest tropical rainforest in the world: the Congo basin in Central Africa.