A month-long fishing ban in Sierra Leone leaves families struggling to cope. Who are AfriForum- the white Afrikaner minority group that's behind Donald Trump's intimidation of South Africa? And we meet Nada Hafez -The Egyptian fencer whose Olympic pregnancy stunned the world. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle, Frenny Jowi and Paul Bakibinga. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Feb 14, 2025•34 min
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is holding a public hearing in Tanzania, on a case filed by DR Congo against Rwanda. The country accuses Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, orchestrating violence, and destabilizing the DRC. Rwanda denies the accusations. How significant is this? Also, a look at the growing economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. What difference does it make to ordinary Zimbabweans? And why a separatist fighter in Cameroon handed over h...
Feb 13, 2025•33 min
Did Shell ignore clean-up warnings in southern Nigeria? Why residents of Cape Town’s brightly coloured Bo-Kaap neighbourhood are concerned about tourism numbers And calls for AI to bridge the gender equality gap in Africa Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Feb 12, 2025•31 min
In January this year DR Congo's Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said 127 people, aged between the ages of 18 and 35, had received the death sentence. Rights groups said that number was higher. The DRC government had announced it would resume executions in 2024 following a two-decade hiatus. Who are these men and why have they been sentenced to death? Also, why are global powers interested in the Seychelles, the smallest country in Africa? And we hear why, it really does take a village to raise...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min
After a recent summit, leaders from east and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Willing the warring parties listen? After a fire kills 16 children in Zamfara state, north western Nigeria, how can schools there be made safer? How will Sam Nujoma the first president of Namibia be remembered? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Victor Sylver, Patricia Whitehorne, and Nyasha Michelle in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: ...
Feb 10, 2025•31 min
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. However, President Ramaphosa has said his country "will not be bullied". What's at stake for the country? Also why have Moroccans decided to call a general strike? It's the first one in almost a decade And Rwanda faces allegations of sports washing, a claim the country denies. What's going on? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, B...
Feb 07, 2025•31 min
Kenya's Business Registration Service (BRS) reveals a major data breach has exposed sensitive information of numerous private companies Will the killing of several key jihadist militants spell the end of IS in Somalia? And how will the late Aga Khan, leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims, be remembered? Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Editors : Andre Lombard...
Feb 06, 2025•29 min
This episode has been edited to correct an editorial error Gabon's military government recently announced that the presidential elections will be held on the 12th of April. It's a key step to re-establish civilian rule following a coup in August 2023. How significant is this? Also Dutch authorities say one of Europe's most-wanted fugitives has been living in Sierra Leone. Who is he and what do we know so far? And what does the new passport issued by the Alliance of Sahel States mean? Presenter: ...
Feb 06, 2025•27 min
Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. Human rights groups welcomed the decision as a major step in protecting the right to a fair trial, but the government criticized the move. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said his government would continue to prosecute civilians in military tribunals, despite the ruling. We hear analysis of this. Also the government in Botswana has struck a new deal with the diamond mining giant De Beers. What'...
Feb 05, 2025•31 min
President Donald Trump has said he will cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that it was confiscating land. South Africa's President Ramaphosa says that is not true. Concerns that the conflict in eastern DR Congo could spread deadly diseases. And what is are the reasons behind Namibia's high unemployment. Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Victor Sylver and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga Technical...
Feb 04, 2025•31 min
Who is Osama Najim, the Libyan suspect wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes? What is the reason behind the high-level diplomatic spat between Rwanda and South Africa over the fighting in DR Congo? Plus, why Kenya is putting its nuclear program on hold Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz and Yvette Twagiramariya in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors. Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi...
Jan 31, 2025•28 min
A Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model called DeepSeek is stunning investors and sinking some tech stocks. It's also quickly impressing AI experts and has the attention of the entire tech industry and the world. How does it work and has it inspired Africa or not? Also, why does Namibia have some of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world? And the race to host Formula One on the continent. Who will win? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan Te...
Jan 30, 2025•36 min
There are concerns that an international US foreign aid cut will reverse gains, especially in the fight against HIV Who are the M23 - the group operating in eastern DR Congo? And how a non-alcoholic bar in Ghana is challenging the drinking culture Presenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Jan 29, 2025•30 min
A group of prominent Zimbabwean war veterans, including a senior figure from the ruling Zanu PF party, have issued a rare rebuke against the country's president Emerson Mnangagwa. They've accused him of seeking to violate the country's constitution by pushing for a third term in office. What does this mean and how significant is this? Also, we return to the story of the Malawian women facing abuse as domestic workers in Oman. And who are the Lukurawa and why have they been designated a terrorist...
Jan 28, 2025•36 min
Rwandan-backed rebels have taken over most of the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo. There are reports of Congolese and Rwandan troops exchanging fire across the border. Calls for European Union member countries to respect the human rights of migrants in North Africa. Plus, we remember one of the forgotten black victims of the Holocaust. Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers : Yvette Twagiramariya , Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jack G...
Jan 27, 2025•33 min
The UN refugee agency says more than 200,000 Sudanese have arrived in Libya since the start of the war. Women are amongst those hoping to find a better life there. Instead, the women say they have faced abuse and raped. Five women have told the BBC they were tortured and sexually abused in "rape rooms", and worse, children have not been spared. Also, why are children not going to school in Nigeria? The country has some of the largest numbers of children out of school in the world. Why is that? A...
Jan 24, 2025•32 min
Nigeria's telecoms regulator has approved a tariff hike by operators-customers are groaning. A year after ground-breaking malaria vaccination campaigns were launched in Africa-we assess the progress. And why is Benin granting citizenship to descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Blessing Aderogba. Yvette Twagiramariya and Blessing Hassan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice ...
Jan 23, 2025•32 min
Can Mozambique’s newly sworn in President Daniel Chapo and the main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, put their differences aside for the benefit of the country’s future? The United Nations estimates that more than 50m children globally do not have birth certificates – and most of those children live in Africa. Why does having a birth certificate matter? And a special memorial has been unveiled in South Africa to remember the black soldiers who took part in the first World War. Presenter: Aud...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min
Nigeria approves Shell's watershed exit from oil-rich Niger Delta-but activists are not pleased. Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan receives an early nomination for being the ruling party's presidential candidate. And why are some African countries moving towards banning wigs in court? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London, Charles Gitonga in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre ...
Jan 21, 2025•35 min
Why has the case against the Kenyan police officers allegedly involved in the death of six-month old Samantha Pendo been delayed yet again? Seven years on, her parents are still seeking justice after a court hearing into the case was adjourned for the third time. What happens to stolen funds and assets when they are recovered and repatriated to the country where they were taken from? And as President Trump begins his second term in office, will he make it a mission to end wars in Africa? Present...
Jan 20, 2025•30 min
Canadian mining giant Barrick halted its operations in Mali after the government seized gold stocks worth $245 million. What's the story behind the Nigerian words added to the Oxford English dictionary ? And what the death of the warlord turned politician Prince Yormie Johnson means for Liberia. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Victor Sylver, Blessing Aderogba, Rob Wilson, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer:Craig Kingha...
Jan 17, 2025•32 min
Mozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, has been sworn in, after winning a violently disputed election held in October last year. Many people have been killed in clashes with the police and the opposition is still calling for protests. So what next for Mozambique under President Daniel Chapo? How will the China-based online giant Temu, now operating in Nigeria, affect similar local companies? Also in the podcast, we hear from the Kenyan woman who spent eight years in a Malaysian prison – more ...
Jan 16, 2025•32 min
Dozens of survivors and dead pulled from an abandoned South African gold mine How Russia is expanding its partnership in Africa's nuclear sector And ice hockey gains popularity in Kenya. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver, Nyasha Michelle, Priya Sippy and Sunita Nahar Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi .
Jan 15, 2025•30 min
Kenya's high court has struck down a law that criminalised the act of attempting suicide. We hear from one of the petitioners who brought the challenge, on why the judge's ruling is important. Also in the podcast, we revisit the dumpsite in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that collapsed and killed more than 30 people last August. How is the city managing its waste problem? And a shop owner tells us about the devastating impact of a fire at one of the biggest open air markets in Ghana, and efforts ...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) pulls out of the largest free hospital in Sudan’s capital Khartoum. Fears over a cargo of explosive fertiliser in a harbour in Ivory Coast And who are the Baye Fall muslims in Senegal? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebovitz and Nyasha Michelle in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer : Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Jan 13, 2025•33 min
Benin forces have suffered heavy losses in an attack which the military chief described as 'a heavy blow'. The assault happened at one of Benin's most well-equipped military positions. So who was behind the attack and what does it tell us about Benin's security preparedness? Also in the podcast, after São Tomé and Príncipe's president fired the prime minister accusing him of failing in his job, are political tensions on the verge of being ignited in the central African island nation? And why is ...
Jan 10, 2025•27 min
What can be done to tackle a water crisis in South Africa's largest city Johannesburg? Can Somalia's army tackle jihadists when peacekeeping forces withdraw? After space debris landed in a Kenyan village we ask : will this become more common? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Editors :Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi...
Jan 09, 2025•32 min
The M23 rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured the key town of Masisi in the in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, in renewed, intense fighting. Why has there been an upsurge in the the violence and why is seizing control of Masisi so significant? Also in the podcast, why does Nigeria have the highest rates of neonatal jaundice? And we hear from two farmers in Sierra Leone - who are both amputees - about a project called Farming on Crutches, that is aimed at helping pe...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min
Will increasing tax in South Africa help stop excessive drinking? Why are Nigeria's rice farmers struggling despite government policies to boost local production. And as more athletes break records we ask: just how long will records continue being broken? Presenter :Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard a...
Jan 07, 2025•32 min
55 African airlines have been banned from EU skies after a newly revised blacklist was released. Which airlines are they and why the ban? Also why are some Kenyan farmers resisting government plans to vaccinate their livestock? And the legacy of Dada Masilo, the young South African dancer who died at the age of 39. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Aime Liebowitz in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Edito...
Jan 06, 2025•29 min
