Focus on Africa

BBC World Service
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Apr 24, 2025 • 29min

'Ethiopians are one shock away from catastrophe'

In a stark warning, the head of the UN's food aid agency in Ethiopia said millions in the country are "one shock away from falling into a catastrophe". Zlatan Milišić's statement came as he announced that because of a lack of funding the World Food Programme was "being forced to halt treatment" for more than half a million malnourished women and children, starting from next month. How did Ethiopia get here?Also, French President Emmanuel Macron brings new promises to cyclone-battered Mayotte. Is it enough?And a prestigious award for Tunisian environmental campaigner, Semia Gharbi, who dared to challenge authorities over illegal waste dumping!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh, Patricia Whitehorne and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Apr 23, 2025 • 28min

A cocktail of long jail terms for Tunisian opposition leaders

Why were Tunisian opposition figures jailed on terror and conspiracy charges ?Are new cybersecurity laws in Zambia really aimed at quashing political dissent ?And Pope Francis remembered by someone who knew himPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers:  Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Tom Kavanagh, Victor Sylver, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Apr 22, 2025 • 28min

Haiti: A growing challenge for Kenyan officers?

Haiti is facing a ‘point of no return’, says the UN's special envoy to the country, María Isabel Salvador. She also said that Member States must increase support to Haiti’s security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission, "not as a matter of choice but of necessity”. What does this mean for Kenyan officers on the ground? Also, Amnesty International says Ethiopia's so-called “corridor development” project is sparking fear and uncertainity amongst residents And what are Ponzi schemes and why do so many people fall victim to it? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. Tom Kavanagh and Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Apr 21, 2025 • 29min

What was Pope Francis's relationship with Africa?

Pope Francis visited Africa multiple times and the continent has one of the fastest growing Catholic populations in the world. As tributes pour in after the announcement of his death, we hear from our Global Religion reporter on what his legacy will be in Africa.What's behind the deadly clashes between nomads and farmers in Nigeria's Benue and Plateau states?And why hearing loss is becoming a silent epidemic on the continent.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Richard Kagoe and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Apr 18, 2025 • 38min

Humanitarians working in Sudan speak

Sudan is facing the largest humanitarian crisis globally. As the country’s civil war enters its third year, the United Nations and Non-Governmental organisations say it civilians are continuing to pay the price, due to inaction. Humanitarians, some in the country, share their experiences. Also, what is the International Parliamentary group known as IPAC, and is China pressurising foreign politicians in Africa to withdraw from it?And, is there freedom of worship for Christians in a majority muslim Somalia? Find out from a Christian leader.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Apr 17, 2025 • 32min

Sudan’s rebel forces declare rival government

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have declared the formation of a rival government in areas under their control, will that change the course of the civil war that is now entering its third year? Will former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila who is planning to return to country, help to find a solution to the conflict with M23 rebels? Why are Kenyan ants of interest to smugglers?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Apr 16, 2025 • 32min

Kidnappings increase in South Africa

An American pastor who was kidnapped by armed men during a church service in South Africa last week has been rescued following a "high-intensity shoot-out". Police say three people were killed. Josh Sullivan was found unharmed in the township in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province. Why is South Africa facing a rise in kidnappings? Also, why are women still dying during pregnancy and childbirth in West Africa?And why is India carrying out naval exercises along the East African coast?Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Nick Randell Producers: Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Apr 15, 2025 • 34min

Will Africa benefit from rising gold prices?

Will African gold producers benefit from a surge in prices this year? There's been a price hike after the start of a global trade warAn inquest into the apartheid-era death of Nobel laureate Albert Luthuli reopens nearly 60 years laterPeople displaced by the Uganda oil pipeline complain that they ‘received inadequate compensation’Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Focus on Africa Frenny Jowi, Charles Gitonga and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi, Tom Kavanagh and Victor Sylver in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Apr 14, 2025 • 32min

RSF takeover Zamzam camp in Darfur

The UN says more than 100 civilians, among them at least 20 children and a medical team, have been killed in a series of attacks in Sudan's western Darfur region. The attacks, on the city of el-Fasher and two nearby camps, Zamzam and Abu Shouk, have been blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They say they've taken control of Zamzam, but denied reports of atrocities.Also, what's it like working in the uninhabited continent of Antartica?And what everyone should know about menopause.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Apr 11, 2025 • 32min

Rwanda asks UK to extradite genocide suspects

More than 30 years after the genocide in Rwanda, the country has asked Britain to extradite six suspects on UK soil. Can the suspects face trial in UK for the alleged crimes?As Gabon seeks to transition to a democratic system, could the coup’s mastermind General Brice Oligui Nguema win a presidential election?And why migratory birds that flock to Uganda maybe endangered. Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers : Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Victor Sylver and Tom Kavanagh in London Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

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