Focus on Africa

Algerian emergency workers struggle to contain forest fires in which at least 38 people have died.Also, Kenya's electoral commission boss asks for more security following threats and harassment of himself and his staff.Plus, is Sierra Leone's proud tradition of marriage across political and religious lines under threat due to political manipulation?

Kenya's presidential election result is caught in a quagmire, as candidate Raila Odinga alleges foul play... We'll be asking what happens next?Plus, we preview elections in Angola.And we will introduce you to a star called Nutty O, whose fresh music is making people dance to the beat in Zimbabwe.

At least three people were killed in protests in Somaliland. But why was this normally peaceful territory engulfed by violence? Also, Sierra Leone's main opposition APC says it is not responsible for deadly protests earlier this week. They blame the government's economic policies instead. And we take the pulse of Kenya's parliamentary election results.

Voting has ended in Kenya's elections where 22 million have cast ballots to vote for their next President, MPs and Governors... Did delays due to a biometric system cause major problems?Plus, African art lovers mourn the death of Nigerian playwright, author and director, Biyi Bandele, who's died suddenly at the age of 54.

Hundreds of Kenyans rush to collect national identification cards necessary to cast their vote, while many others experience travel woes on the eve of the country's general elections.  Observers highlight a few issues ahead of the polls as the Electoral Commission suspends voting in four areas over ballot paper issues.  Plus  some Kenyans tell us about the panic-buying that's now started.Also, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, is the latest international diplomat on  a charm offensive to woo the continent.. We hear from South Africa.And Ethiopia's Rophnan, DJ turned musician fuses electronic with traditional sounds.

The Senegalese government has signed a peace deal with rebels from the southern region of Casamance. Will it hold this time?Also, warnings of a hike in the price of rice. Can African countries step up to the plate production-wise?Plus, will Kenyans get leaders that tackle corruption this time around?And our resident presidents discuss Zimbabwe's new Chinese-built parliament, and they're not impressed!

Angry mobs on the rampage in a South African township, following the vicious gang rape of a group of women in the town of Krugersdorp last week.And it's fifty years since Asians were forced to flee Uganda's Idi Amin and settle in Britain.

President Etienne Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo is reassessing when MONUSCO peacekeepers should leave the country. We hear from his spokesman.Also, with news of the killing of Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, survivors of the 1998 bombing of the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam express disappointment at receiving no compensation like American victims.Plus Somalia's new cabinet includes a former Al Shabab leader.Those stories and more in this podcast.

Following attacks on UN peacekeeping bases this week in the DRC, the governor of  North Kivu province, attempts to address the issue.And, Ethiopia's government calls for talks without any pre-conditions with the Tigrayan rebels in a bid to end the bloody civil war.Those stories and more in this podcast.

Did UN peacekeepers open fire on civilians during recent protests against its mission in DR Congo?Also, in Kenya as elections loom, Deputy President William Ruto's running mate is ordered to surrender over 1.6 million Dollars to the state over fraud.And why have Tanzanian health authorities banned the use of a sex enhancing traditional medicine?