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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Why are African workers being prevented from leaving Lebanon?
21/08/2024 Duration: 29minAfrican domestic workers trapped by their labour contracts in Lebanon as border tensions with Israel escalateA young Liberian poet in America tells us why bookshops are needed back home. And why are Mixed Martial Arts rising in popularity in Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos Technical Producer Nick Randell Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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How a sexual assualt viral video outraged Tanzania
20/08/2024 Duration: 31minA video appearing to show a young woman being sexually assaulted in Tanzania went viral, prompting an outcry in the East African nation. This past weekend a police commander in the capital, Dodoma, was removed from her post following controversial comments in which she linked the victim in the video to sex work. So what's been the reaction in Tanzania?Also, why is Libya's Central Bank under siege? And why did Kenya's government first try to control the price of tea and then reversed the plan? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why is Cape Town evicting homeless people from the city centre?
19/08/2024 Duration: 31minWhy did a Western Cape court order that dozens of homeless people be evicted from the streets of Cape Town?We take a closer look at Nigeria's multiple exchange ratesAnd what lures African athletes to compete for other countries?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why does a Chinese company want to seize Nigeria's assets?
16/08/2024 Duration: 28minA Chinese company has initiated plans to seize Nigerian assets in in the United Kingdom, United States of America and in six other countries. What's going on? Also, can US negotiators convince General Burhan's side to attend the Sudan Peace talks in Geneva?And why was there a media blackout in Senegal? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Can Africa tackle the Mpox public health emergency?
15/08/2024 Duration: 34minWill Africa's past experience with health emergencies help in tackling the Mpox outbreak?Could a rift within Ethiopia's TPLF party derail the Pretoria peace agreement?And was a landslide at a rubbish dump in the Ugandan capital that killed at least 30 people preventable?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Charles Gitonga and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors:Alice Muthengi and Andre LombArd
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Uganda's LRA trial: Who is Thomas Kwoyelo?
14/08/2024 Duration: 38minThomas Kwoyelo, a child soldier-turned-rebel commander in the notorious Lord's Resistance Army has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a landmark case in Uganda. He denied all 78 charges that were brought against him. Who is he and what role did he play in the LRA?Also a conversation with a journalist travelling around Sudan, bearing witness to what's happening in the country And what's behind the violence against other African nationals in South Africa?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard*This Episode contains some material you may find sensitive
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Why are politicians being arrested in Tunisia?
13/08/2024 Duration: 29minWhy are so many potential presidential contestants in jail ahead of October presidential polls in Tunisia?We find out why Nigerian demonstrators were waving Russian flags at protests And how a novel method of mental health therapy- the friendship bench- could be making its way to a place near you.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London Senior Producer:Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Did the 'tuna bond' scandal change Mozambique?
12/08/2024 Duration: 32minFormer finance minister Manuel Chang was found guilty of fraud and money laundering in a major corruption case, which came to be known as the 'tuna bond' scandal. It involved two billion dolars and crippled Mozambique's economy. How did this scandal change the country and what measures have been put in place against corruption?Also, the impact of forced evictions in AbidjanAnd celebrating the new stars in African sport, at the end of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Bella Hassan. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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What can the Sudan ceasefire talks in Geneva achieve?
09/08/2024 Duration: 32minTalks aimed at ending the 16-month conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces are due to take place in Geneva. Can lifestyle audits help curb corruption by Kenya's public servants?And we meet the Cameroonian lawyer who's walking a marathon at the Paris Olympics to highlight disability.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer : Jack Graysmark Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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How fake medicines could be contributing to the deaths of over half a million Africans
08/08/2024 Duration: 28minA United Nations report says fake or substandard medicines could be causing the deaths of around half a million people across Africa. This new study found, if people continue to be exposed to fake medicines, they could develop a resistance to genuine medication. How do you spot fakes?Also why the concept of the family home needs a legal definition to protect the rights of women and children.And the impact of illegal shark fishing in the Congo.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi, Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why has Mali cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine?
07/08/2024 Duration: 32minMali and now Niger say they've cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine. How much involvement does Kyiv have in the Sahel? Why are multinational companies leaving Nigeria? And we hear more about the world's greatest running rivalry: Kenya vs Ethiopia Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers : Victor Sylver, Charles Gitonga, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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What's behind the violent protests in the UK?
06/08/2024 Duration: 30minThe United Kingdom is experiencing almost a week of violent disorder after three girls were fatally stabbed in the town of Southport, in England. The subsequent unrest in towns and cities has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment. How did the UK get to this point? Also, why does Lesotho have the highest suicide rates in the world? And Somalia sentences seven young Tik Tok users to jail for 'indecency' and 'incitement'.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producer: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Frenny Jowi and Rob Wilson Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiPlease Note: If you have been affected by the content on suicide in this episode, do search for the BBC's Action line or contact a local support group for help.
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Will protests in Somalia against Al-Shabab militants bring change?
05/08/2024 Duration: 34minHundreds gather in protest at popular Lido beach in Mogadishu after a deadly Al-Shabab militant attack. The African Union declares coffee a strategic commodity. What does that mean? And is Nigeria ready for a new state? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Claudia Efemini, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in LondonTechnical Producer :Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Why is Algeria's Imane Khelif at the centre of controversy at the Paris Olympics?
02/08/2024 Duration: 28minAlgeria's Imane Khelif found herself at the centre of controversy at the Olympic games in Paris after her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini surrendered just 46 seconds into the boxing match. The result generated immediate discussion because Khelif had in the past failed testosterone and gender eligibility tests at the World Championships. Carina later said, "I have never been hit so hard in my life". Who is Imane Khelif and why is her gender being questioned? Also, Botswana's President calls on businesses to adopt a police station? What does this mean and what's the reaction in Botswana? And why forest fires are on the rise in Morocco.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Why have Kenyan authorities ordered the cull of over a million crows?
01/08/2024 Duration: 34minKenyan authorities begin the process of culling a million Indian house crowsWhy are hundreds of thousands of people in Lesotho now facing severe food insecurity ?And three journalists sentenced to years in prison after writing about corruption in Morocco released after pardons from King Mohammed VIPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers : Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Sunita Nahar in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Why were members of Uganda’s opposition party deported from Kenya?
31/07/2024 Duration: 28minThirty-six members of Uganda’s opposition Forum for Democratic Change Katonga party - or FDC Katonga – were recently arrested in Kenya and taken back home to face terrorism charges. A party spokesperson insists they have done nothing wrong. So why were they in Kenya, and why have the Ugandan authorities detained them? Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has competed at the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant. A few online comments have called her participation irresponsible. What are the risks to performing in elite sport with a baby on the way? And it is almost a year since Nigeria’s flag designer died but he has still not been buried. Why has there been no action on plans for a state funeral?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Joseph Keen in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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What Ethiopia floating its currency means.
30/07/2024 Duration: 29minEthiopia became the third African economy in 3 years to default on its government debt. To get IMF's fiscal support, it has had to lower the worth of its currency, making the Birr fall by 30% against the US dollar.We hear about the continued suffering with malnutrition of children in Katsina northern NigeriaAnd how did Senegal get its largest national park removed from the UN’s list of World Heritage in Danger list?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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What is the suspect South African military camp training Libyans?
29/07/2024 Duration: 35minA large group of Libyans have been charged with visa violations after being arrested by South African police at an illegal military training camp. But how did the site, in Mpumalanga province, go undetected?African leaders have signed up to the first pan-African human rights legislation to address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Zambian musician John Chiti who was born with albinism and is visually impaired, says it means governments can now be held to account. And how the war in Sudan is destroying the country's ancient archaeological legacy, through the mass looting and destruction of historical and important artefacts.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Rob Wilson and Joseph Keen in London; Frenny Jowi and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiShow less
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Will Africa shine at the Paris Olympics?
26/07/2024 Duration: 32minhe Olympics opening ceremony expected to get under way in Paris today. Audiences from all over the world are expected to watch.How can Nigeria solve its oil theft problem?And what is causing Namibia's housing crisis, and could mushrooms provide the answer?Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Rob Wilson and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Nick Randell Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Can the flow of arms into conflict-hit Sudan be stopped?
25/07/2024 Duration: 30minThe international watchdog, Amnesty International, is calling for a nationwide arms embargo on Sudan after its investigation found that a constant flow of weapons is fuelling the devastating war. But how can the supply of arms be stopped?For the first time, sub Saharan Africa has seen a dramatic drop in new HIV infections compared to the rest of the world, so what is driving that success?And we hear from Gofa in southern Ethiopia, where there are fears that the death toll will continue to rise following the deadly landslides.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London; Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi