

Focus on Africa
BBC World Service
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 28, 2022 • 27min
Local forces join the Somali army against Al Shabab
In today's podcast: We look at the local forces aiding the successful Somali government onslaught against Al Shabab.As Uganda waits for a presidential statement on the ebola outbreak, we'll hear from someone living in Mubende where the outbreak started.Plus: the famed forth plinth on London's Trafalgar Square will be home to a statue of a Malawian anti-colonial freedom fighting priest.More on those stories in this podcast with Audrey Brown.

Sep 27, 2022 • 25min
Uganda's Medical Association issues guidance
In today's podcast: Uganda's Medical Association tells members not to treat ebola patients without PPE, and asks the Government to quarantine hotspot areas after doctors and interns are exposed to the deadly disease.Also, Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru who was facing witness interference charges at the International Criminal Court is found dead at his home. The police are now investigating.Plus, how and why is former president, Jacob Zuma trying to make a political comeback in South Africa?More on those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Sep 26, 2022 • 32min
Seleka leader stands trial at the ICC
Mahamat Abdel Said, leader from the Seleka rebel movement in the Central African Republic, has appeared before the International Criminal Court for the first day of his war crimes trial.Also, Ugandan authorities confirm that twenty-three people have now died of ebola. Other patients are awaiting diagnosis, but now, some doctors and nurses are striking.And it's twenty years since nearly two thousand people drowned on the Joola ferry in Senegal. We hear from a survivor and family members who want closure, but why is one of the World's worst shIpping disasters not known by many?Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Sep 21, 2022 • 27min
Regional concerns in the spotlight at UN General Assembly
Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Buhari of Nigeria raise regional concerns and global fears at the United Nations General Assembly.Also, massive floods across most of Nigeria. In one town at least 500 graves and crops have been washed away.Plus, Somali special forces - along with an armed local group - have reclaimed large swathes of territory from Al Shabaab.And Zambia's President Hichilima on his first year in office.More on those stories in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.

Sep 20, 2022 • 28min
UN says both sides in Tigray conflict are guilty of atrocities
A UN Commission on human rights reports on major atrocities being perpetrated by both the TPLF and Ethiopian Government forces particularly in Tigray... We hear how civilians have suffered.Also, Ugandan authorities confirm an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease... A twenty-four year old man has been identified, but could there have been a handful of others before hand?And Iyanu, a child superhero based on Yoruba mythology created by Roye Okupe is a graphic novel turned Cartoon to be streamed by HBO and Cartoon Network.These stories and more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.

Sep 19, 2022 • 31min
Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest after a service in London attended by over 500 heads of state and government
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has been laid to rest after a funeral service at Westminster Abbey in London. African leaders were among those in attendance. Tens of thousands lined the streets to bid her farewell and pay their respects. We hear from Windsor where The Queen was laid to rest, and we discuss the role of the Commonwealth with King Charles III as head.Also, Cameroon's Catholic Church speaks about abductions of priests and a nun.Plus, South Africa's President Ramaphosa is rushing back home from the UK today after his country is plunged into state 6 of a power crisis.More on those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Sep 16, 2022 • 28min
Eritrea amasses reservists on border with Ethiopia
Eritrea has mobilised thousands of army reservists and massed them along the border with Ethiopia.Also, the Egyptian authorities have released 46 people - most of them activists in detention without trial.Plus, the controversial Nyege Nyege music festival is finally underway in Uganda. And as the UK prepares to bury Queen Elizabeth, we assess her legacy in South Africa.More on those stories and others in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.

Sep 14, 2022 • 27min
School reopening suspended in Sudan
In Sudan floods force the government to push back the reopening of schools by two weeks.Also, the war goes on in the north of Ethiopia - currently, Tigrayan forces say they have ceded control of a couple of townsPlus, the African mourners - in London - paying their last respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.Those and other stories in this podcast with Hassan Arouni.

Sep 12, 2022 • 28min
Ethiopia's TPLF says it's willing to stop fighting
Tigrayan forces in Ethiopia say they are ready for a ceasefire after a five month truce broke down. They also pledged willingness to participate in African Union-led talks. Will the Government in Addis respond in kind?Also, Uganda pays the DRC $65 million dollars in reparations for the invasion by UPDF forces and looting of resources during the war in the 1990s. Could the ICJ ruling set a precedent?Plus, how some African nations are reacting to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Her body now lays at rest in Edinburgh. What could King Charles III's accession mean for Africa and the commonwealth?Those and other stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

Sep 7, 2022 • 21min
Landslide kills several in Uganda
A landslide after heavy rains claims at least fifteen lives in Uganda.Also, the latest on a grain shipment from Ukraine to the Horn of Africa. Will it reach the people who need it most?And Cameroonian parents brave the dangers of a vicious civil conflict to send their children back to school after a six-year gap.Those stories and more in this podcast.


