Africa Daily has now come to an end. But do listen to Focus on Africa for all the big stories and for the African perspective on major global news. Hosted by Audrey Brown and ready by late afternoon every weekday. Search for Focus on Africa, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Scientist in South Africa have identified a new variant of the Covid-19 virus. Cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in countries including Belgium, Germany, Australia and Hong Kong. Some countries have put restrictions on travel from parts of Southern Africa. Scientists say that it will be a couple of weeks before we understand exactly how the Omicron variant behaves. But what do we know so far? #AfricaDaily
A little over two years since winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Abiy Ahmed is leading a country at war. Rebels from the northern Tigray region have taken increasing territory over the past few months. Thousands have died and more than two million have been pushed from their homes. The international community is showing increasing concern about the situation. Many countries have told their citizens to leave. So, how did it all come to this? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Reporter: Beverl...
Gender based violence is a problem around the world. And Africa is no exception. For years, women across the continent have been raising their voices and demanding change. On Thursday, many of them will join women around the world for ’16 days of activism against gender based violence’. So, how are women leading the conversation? #AfricaDaily hears from women across the continent This programme contains frank discussions of a physical and sexual violence.
A leaked report by an inquiry panel found that Nigerian armed forces shot and killed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in October 2020. The report refers to the incident as a massacre. But Nigeria’s information minister Lai Mohammed has dismissed the report as a ‘triumph of fake news’. He denies that soldiers fired live bullets at protesters. Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Reporter: Is’haq Khalid (@ikmkhalid) #AfricaDaily
Tourism is an important part of Kenya’s economy. And the money spent by visitors is vital for funding conservation programmes, that protect wildlife and biodiversity. But some critics are questioning whether conservation and tourism are too dependent on each other. And whether indigenous people are being treated unfairly to make space for conservancies. #AfricaDaily
Highlife music has been getting people on to the dance floor for decades. It originated in Ghana in the 19th century. And has been embraced around West Africa…and the world. Now a Nigerian duo - The Cavemen - are bringing the music to a new young audience. So, is highlife back and here to stay? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Reporting: Hannah Ajala (@hannah_ajala) Guests: The Cavemen (@staycavy) #AfricaDaily
The COP26 climate summit concluded in Glasgow on Saturday. Despite an agreement being reached, many people on the continent have asked whether it delivers enough for Africa. The next round of negotiations will take place next year at COP27 in Egypt. So, how should Africa’s environmentalists be moving forward? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Peter Musembi (@musembipm) Wanjira Mathai (@MathaiWanjira) #AfricaDaily
On Tuesday, three people were killed in suicide attacks on Kampala. The government is pointing the finger at the ADF, a rebel group which has pledged allegiance to IS. And IS have claimed responsibility for these attacks. Kampala has witnessed other bomb explosions in recent months. Police say they were also linked to the ADF. So, why is Kampala coming under attack? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Raymond Mujuni (@qataharraymond)
A quarter of Ghana’s population lives along its 500km coastline. But devastating tidal waves and flooding are becoming more common. There have been three this year alone. Earlier this month, the latest tidal surge left more than 4000 people displaced in the Volta region. And people are starting to demand action from the government. So, what can be done to protect coastal communities? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Kojo Akoto Boateng @kojoab Dzifa Gomashie @dzifa_gomashie Prof...
Tina was diagnosed with a rare heart condition as a baby. She fought against odds that said she wouldn’t live to be a teenager. Thanks to double lung and heart transplant, she has just celebrated her 40th birthday. But for the 5000 people in need of an organ transplant in South Africa today, there is a long and difficult wait. And the pandemic has only made things more difficult. #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja
Botswana has moved all remaining rhinos out of the Okavango Delta after a surge in poaching. More than 90 of the endangered animals were killed over the past two years. And it’s a similar story in other parts of southern Africa. Rhino horns are valuable on the international black market. So, what can be done to save the remaining rhino species? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Dr Kabelo Senyatso Dominic Naidoo
Dozens of schools across Kenya have burned down in recent weeks. There are suggestions that students may be to blame. The education minister has warned that any students found to be responsible for starting fires will be banned from public schools. So, what’s going on with Kenya’s school fires? #AfricaDaily
The war in Ethiopia started just over a year ago. The conflict between forces from the northern Tigray region and the federal government has escalated in recent weeks. It’s been caused by various recent political issues. But it also has it’s roots in modern history…events that go back more than 100 years. So, to understand Ethiopia’s present, do we have to look to the past? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Yohannes Woldemariam
Uganda’s coffee exports have seen significant growth in the past year. And income from the crop had increased by almost 50%. It’s partly due to production issues in countries like Brazil and Vietnam. But Uganda is among the countries in Africa to take advantage of the disruption in the market. So, how have they done it? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Darren Allan Kyeyunye (@allandarren) and Jackie Arinda (@jackiearinda)
Some of Zimbabwe’s teachers are going on strike. They say that inflations means they’re no longer being paid enough to live on. And that conditions in the classroom are making teaching more and more difficult. The government in Zimbabwe denies that schools lack resources and say they aren’t aware of strike action. So, why do teachers in Zimbabwe say they’re struggling to get by? #AfricaDaily Host: Moho Lakaje (@MphoLakaje)
It’s nearly ten years since Agnes Wanjiru died. Her family believe she was killed by a British soldier. An inquest in 2019 found the same. Agnes lived close to a British army training camp in Kenya. The base has been blamed by local people for a wildfire earlier this year. And they have complained that British soldiers there aren’t ever held accountable for their poor behaviour. So, is the British army still welcome in Kenya? #AfricaDaily Host: Mpho Lakaje (@mpholakaje) Guest: Ferdinand Omondi (...
World leaders are continuing to negotiate a plan to tackle climate change at the COP 26 summit. Global warming will affect most people on the planet in some way. But not everyone will feel the impact equally. Africa is thought to be among the most vulnerable continents. And research suggests that women will face a greater burden from a changing environment. Journalist Ugochi Anyaka-Oluigbo has heard these stories from across the continent. #AfricaDaily Host: Mpho Lakaje (@mpholakaje) Guests: Ugo...
In recent weeks, the Beitbridge border crossing between Zimbabwe and South Africa came to a standstill. Truck drivers were stranded for as long as ten days. They complained about robberies and going without food. The crossing is one of the busiest on the continent, helping to connect countries across southern Africa. But when a new toll for trucks was introduced, delays led to queues going back miles. And although the congestion is now cleared, there are worries about what will happen over the b...
When South Africa’s cricket team took to the pitch last week, one player was missing. Quinton de Kock refused to play, after the players were told they must ‘take the knee’. Sports teams around the world have adopted the gesture to take a stand against racism. The former captain has since apologised and took the knee at the next match. He explained that he was initially unhappy at being ordered to make the gesture…and at short notice. But his hesitancy has fuelled debates about racism in South A...
People in Sudan are back on the streets. In 2019, they protested for months to remove President Omar al-Bashir after 29 years in power. They stayed on the streets until the military agreed to share power with civilians. There were supposed to be elections in 2023, but a coup two weeks ago has put that in doubt. Is democracy the Sudanese worked so hard for now in jeopardy? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guest: Raga Makawi (@makawiraga)
Malawi’s President - Lazarus Chakwera – told rich countries to “pay up or perish with us” ahead of the COP26 climate summit. Developed nations are yet to meet a promise to pay £100bn to poorer countries each year to deal with climate change. Projects to transfer to renewable energy or cope with the impacts of climate change are expensive…more than most countries on the continent can afford. But Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the effects of climate change. So, is COP26 really all abou...
World leaders are coming together for talks that are seen as crucial to bringing climate change under control. Fossil fuel emissions are causing the world to heat up. It’s causing extreme weather – heatwaves, floods and droughts – which is making life less secure for millions of people. Despite being responsible for a fraction of carbon emissions, Africa is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. So, what’s at stake at the COP26 summit for the continent? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan K...
Would you like to take a swim in the sea? How about something more adventurous…snorkelling or diving maybe? Zandile Ndhlovu is a South African born diver. She loves being in the ocean, but she thinks not enough black people are enjoying a dip. She calls herself the ‘Black Mermaid’ and she’s on a mission to get more people on the continent into the water. And she thinks once people experience the magic of the underwater world, they’ll be more passionate about conserving it. #AfricaDaily Host: Ala...
Africa is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels to generate electricity. In West and North Africa, oil reigns supreme. And in southern Africa, particularly South Africa, coal still wears the crown. As global leaders prepare to discuss solutions to climate change at the COP26 summit, moving away from fossil fuels will be high on the agenda. But transitioning to renewable energy is difficult and expensive. So, is southern Africa ready to make the switch? #AfricaDaily Host: Alan Kasujja Guests: Fel...
Uganda’s government closed schools when the pandemic hit in March 2020. Some children haven’t been back to the classroom since. And others only returned for a few weeks. Uganda is the last country in Africa to keep its schools fully shuttered. President Museveni says in person teaching will resume in January at the earliest. So, has it been worth it? And how are Uganda’s children coping without school? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) Guests: Miriam Wipfler and Elizabeth Kawesa #AfricaDaily...
The recent news of eight Nigerian men accused of an internet dating scam has highlighted the problem faced by the country’s authorities trying to reign in so called cult gangs and their international operations. A case involving the FBI and Interpol revealed a crime that involved the defrauding of more than 100 victims across continents of almost 7 million dollars over the past decade. So, where do these secret societies came from? And what can be done to stop them? Host: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)...
France and Mali have been exchanging harsh words in recent weeks. The tension between the two usually close allies started to sour after Paris’s decision to withdraw troops from the country. Now there are reports that the government in Bamako will turn to the Russian private security group Wagner to help maintain security. Wagner provide private soldiers in conflicts around the world, such as Central African Republic. Also, the Kremlin has recently sent in helicopters, weapons and ammunition to ...
Since the end of Apartheid South Africans have largely stuck with parties that represent their own racial group. But with a new generation of voters growing up in a democratic nation, is it time for South Africans to cast off their racial allegiances? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guests: Godfrey Skosana from the Freedom Front Plus and Jess Griesel from the Economic Freedom Fighters #AfricaDaily
One year ago frustration with police brutality in Nigeria boiled over into massive street demonstrations. Much of the anger was directed at the notorious Special Anti Robbery Squad - or SARS. And soon the slogan “End SARS” was being heard around the world. So, where does Nigeria stand now 12 months on? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja) Guests: anti corruption activist Hamzat Lawal, photographer Inyene Akpan and author Ike Anya. #AfricaDaily
For those who work to combat domestic violence there are concerns that with the Covid 19 pandemic forcing many people to remain at home, incidents have been soaring. It’s been called a "Shadow Pandemic", with some countries reporting a five-fold increase in calls to helplines. So what more needs to be done for women experiencing gender based violence? Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp) Guests: Sandra Oyombe and Elisabeth , a victim of domestic violence. #AfricaDaily
