Focus on Africa

The UN say millions are at risk of famine in the Horn of Africa following the worst drought in 70 years. We hear from Somalia where the Islamic relief fund describe what they are doing for 7 million already facing starvation.And, over 35 people are killed in Burkina Faso after a bus hit an Improvised Explosive Device. It's said Jihadists are increasing attacks in the midsts of a deepening humanitarian crisis.Those stories and others in this podcast.

William Ruto has been declared the next President of Kenya after the Supreme court rejected all challenges by Raila Odinga who said the results of the August elections were fraudulent.Also, Zambia's finance minister outlines the new fiscal package for the nation after a loan of $1.3billion is promised by the IMF.Plus, the South African pharmaceutical giant Aspen which had been forced to cease production of the COVID vaccine has announced it will produce four life-saving vaccines crucial for children on the continent.Those stories and more in this podcast.

Zambia has agreed a $1.3 billion bailout loan with the IMF after months of negotiations. We’ll look at what this might mean for the country. Why a community in North-West Cameroon are concerned about a strange smell coming from a crater lake. And Ghanaian-born British Vogue editor Edward Eninnful talks about his new memoir, A Visible Man.

Reports of a hospital being bombed in Tigray as fighting intensifies. Both sides once again blaming each other for the atrocity.Also, what are the real reasons behind the collapse of the South African health system?Plus, the last Soviet-era leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, has died. What did he mean for the continent at the end of the 20th century?These stories and more in the podcast.

Final results for Angola's elections have been declared - the governing MPLA and President Lourenco are the winners - but opponents, Unita, stand by their claim that the result is a sham.Also, after a weekend of what's been described as the worst fighting in two years - we ask, who are the players in the deadly struggle for power in Libya?And a ship carrying grains of hope from Ukraine to the drought stricken horn of Africa - expected to dock in Djibouti soon.These stories and more in the podcast.

We'll be in Ethiopia where the blame game over the latest outbreak of fighting continues. We'll hear from Tigrayan spokesperson Getachew Reda.Also, latest figures show that Angola's ruling MPLA is in the lead following elections. It's by no means conclusive - but there is surprise at the speed with which the count is going.Plus, French President Macron is in Algeria following controversial remarks about the country's past. Will Algerians let bygones be bygones?And Ugandan artists demand a fair share of profits made from ringtones - or Call Ring Back Tunes  - using their music.

Government and Tigrayan officials are blaming each other for renewed fighting in the north of Ethiopia.Also, thousands of South African workers are on strike over the rising cost of living.Plus, Togo's ambitions to become the continental hub for cyber security and digital innovation.All those stories and more in this podcast.

China writes off 23 debts owed by 17 African countries - does that give a lie to the so-called China debt trap?Also, rural Kenyans take Britain to Europe's top human rights court over  historical forceful land evictions - what is their goal?Plus more stories in this podcast.

The Kenyan Presidential contender, Raila Odinga, has filed a legal challenge to last week's election results.And we look at the aftermath of a two-day siege in a bombed hotel in Mogadishu, which finally ended after 30 hours.Much more on those stories and others in this podcast.

Police in Nigeria have arrested three people in connection with the discovery of 20 mummified bodies near Benin City.Also, we examine the track record of Angola's third post independence president as elections draw near.And a right royal battle is raging for the Zulu throne in South Africa.  We'll hear the latest from the Kingdom of Kwazulu.