Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso, is visiting Libya, in his capacity as chairman of the African Union's committee on the Libyan crisis. His aim is to get the country's rival governments, led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah in the west and Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east, to the reconciliation table. Does the AU have any influence in Libya? Also why are young women in Kenya opting for irreversible surgery as a means of contraception? And a new regulation in Spain giving migrant work...
Dec 10, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast After two previous attempts, John Mahama is set to make comeback as Ghana's president. He was the country’s leader from 2012-2016. Ghana’s economy is struggling and corruption endemic. Political analyst Nansata Yakubu explains the huge expectations on a Mahama presidency over the next four years. The menstrual health taboos facing African women athletes And the flaw with Africa’s big infrastructure finance models. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida an...
Dec 09, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet has recently returned from Sudan. It's her second visit to the country since April 2023, when the war broke out between the government army and the paramilitary group, the RSF. Lyse says, the humanitarian sitaution in the country is far worse now than it's ever been. She met and spoke to people displaced by the conflict, including women and children and entreprenuers and bankers too. Also, Zimbabwe's High court rules against a law that deni...
Dec 06, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Namibia has elected its first female president, who is she, and what cultural and political obstacles will she need to overcome? How the rape of a woman in Mauritania has sparked national protests and reflection As surrogacy becomes common in Nigeria, there is a new bill to regulate the practice. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers :Bella Hassan, Sunita Nahar and Rob Wilson in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer. Editors :Andre Lomb...
Dec 05, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ghanaians are preparing to vote in their presidential election this Saturday. The election is being contested between vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia and former president John Mahama. What are the key issues voters will be focusing on? Also, Sierra Leone's desire to return to being a rice exporter, instead of importing the country's most favourite food And French President Macron's pivot towards anglophone countries in Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson and Victor Sylver in Lo...
Dec 04, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village continues to mourn dozens of deaths and cope with injuries one year later on We look at the impact of mercury poisoning caused by illegal mining in southwestern Ghana And how easy is it for you to travel to another African country? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London., Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Francesca Dunne. Editors :Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi...
Dec 03, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast US President Biden is in Angola for what is likely to be the final foreign trip of his presidency. It’s his first visit to Sub- Saharan Africa and it's part of a promise the president made, during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, to travel to the continent. But, it comes almost at the end of his tenure, so what does the president's trip to Angola say about the US Africa policy? Also, we'll hear hearing from the Mozambican opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, as protests continue over elect...
Dec 02, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Negotiators in the South Korean city of Busan are trying to reach the first ever a global treaty on plastic. How stress from climate change is leading to increased violence against women. And a film maker’s odyssey to preserve the legacy of a local Ugandan photographer. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Nour Abida and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer : Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi....
Nov 29, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are now 35 million people internally displaced across the continent, that's according to a recent report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. That's a threefold increase since 2009, when African governments signed a landmark deal legally binding countries to try and tackle the causes of displacement. So why is there an increase? Also, we'll hear from Leila Soueif, the Egyptian mother on hunger strike, protesting against the continued detention of her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah And ...
Nov 28, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Militant Islamists involved in another deadly attack in Nigeria’s Borno State. Why is the army still battling these insurgencies? South Africa opposition parties seek to revive impeachment proceedings against President Ramaphosa Why does President Felix Tshisekedi want to change the Congolese constitution? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle, Sunita Nahar and Frenny Jowi Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice...
Nov 27, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Namibians will head to the polls on Wednesday in what is expected to be the most competitive election yet for the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed the country since independence. We'll get analysis and hear from young voters. Also young Nigerians caught up in the gold rush in rebel controlled areas in Mali. But do they know that the sale of gold is funding something sinister? And why the grass may not always be greener for African migrants working in the Gulf States. Presenter: Charles Git...
Nov 26, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast A court in Zimbabwe recently convicted dozens of opposition politicians belonging to the Citizens Coalition for Change party for holding an illegal gathering. Is the party facing a clamp down from Zanu-PF? How the church is trying to navigate governance challenges for Kenya and Africa Plus, lessons the South African city of Cape Town learned about water security from the 2018 drought Presenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Amie Liebowitz and Bella Hassan in London and Susan Gachuhi in...
Nov 25, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mali has appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as prime minister a day after firing its previous leader, Choguel Kokalla Maïga and his government. This came after rare criticism by Maïga of the junta. What's really behind the reshuffle? Also did you know that Ethiopia is a major hub for bitcoin mining? And how the world of sport is doing its bit for the climate crisis! Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle and Nishat Ladha in London. Technical Produce...
Nov 22, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast South Africa takes over the G20 presidency from Brazil for a year. Will Africa benefit from this? How organised crime benefits from trafficking electronic waste to Ghana. And Somalia's Finance Minister on the benefits of debt forgiveness. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz, Joseph Keen and Paul Bakibinga in London. Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Nov 21, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution which called for a ceasefire in Sudan. It was proposed by the UK and Sierra Leone, calling on both sides to immediately halt hostilities and start talks aimed at agreeing a national ceasefire. Why did Russia veto it? Also, the online trend that has Nigerians furiously tapping their phones And the Ghanaian-British musician Fuze ODG explains why he thinks initiatives like Band Aid, is not good for Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvett...
Nov 20, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Was India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nigeria about lobbying for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council? Why are some young TikTokers in Uganda being jailed? And why thousands of indigenous, sacred baobab trees are under threat in the Limpopo region of South Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers : Sunita Nahar, Susan Gachuhi and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Nov 19, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Senegalese government has claimed victory in the recent parliamentary elections. It said the ruling party, Pastef, had won with a "large majority". What does the win mean for the country? Also, the cruel sextortion scams in Nigeria. Parents appeal to the criminals following the death of their son And a prize that shines a spotlight on detained Eritrean journalists. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan and Victor Sylver in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn ...
Nov 18, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast South African authorities try to force as many as 4,000 illegal miners - known as zama zamas - to return to the surface, by denying them food and water. The miners, who have been stuck underground, fear they will be arrested. Who are they? And could the government's hardline operation be challenged in the courts? What next for Mali - now that the multinational UN peacekeeping force, MINUSMA, has officially ended its mission after being ordered out of the country by the military government. And M...
Nov 15, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The European Union has announced it will not renew its fishing agreement with Senegal, citing concerns over the country’s efforts to curb illegal fishing. European officials pointed to inadequate monitoring and surveillance systems in Dakar. Without a renewed agreement European vessels will be required to exit Senegalese waters when the deal expires on Sunday. What are the reasons behind this decision? Also, did you know that two in three children endure violent punishment or discipline at home ...
Nov 14, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast As COP 29- the climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan focuses on finance. What is the status of the loss and damage fund? Meanwhile a UN panel in Sudan to investigate possible war crimes in Darfur And is Lakurawa really a new jihadist group in Nigeria? How does it operate? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Nov 13, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, will hold its general election tomorrow. The incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi, is seeking re-election. Somaliland says it would like to be recognised by the international community. Why isn't it recognised and what will the elections mean for the region? Also we'll get reaction as Nigeria allows women free access to c-sections. And we'll meet one of the world's smartest mathematicians, from Cameroon! Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle...
Nov 12, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The ECOWAS Court recently declared Sierra Leone’s loitering laws discriminatory and ordered their amendment or repeal A BBC investigation sees evidence that devastating flood water in South Sudan is spreading pollution from the oil industry. And why is there a dispute over uranium production in Niger ? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Paul Bakibinga. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi...
Nov 11, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Mauritian government has ended its recent suspension of social media, which threatened voters’ access to information ahead of the general elections on the 10th of November. Once a proud democracy, how are Mauritians feeling about the upcoming election? Also are more African domestic workers escaping Lebanon, as the war continues? And how did some African migrants vote in the recent US elections? Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassa...
Nov 08, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Police in Maputo fire tear gas in a bid to stop opposition protests against the results of last month's disputed election. Mozambique has seen weeks of unrest since the victory by the Frelimo party. The ICC says there has been no payment into a fund for victims of Uganda warlord Dominic Ongwen And why are so many African countries facing foreign currency and fuel shortages? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver, Bella Hassan and Daniel Dadzie in London. Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi...
Nov 07, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over 30 children in Nigeria, who were arrested in August after taking part in anti-government demonstrations were detained and charged with treason. Those charges have now been dropped, following outrage in the country. The country's President Bola Tinubu also called for the release of the minors. But why were children detained in the first place? Also a warning from Equatorial Guinea's vice president Teodoro Obiang Mangue, who has said, civil servants caught having sex in their offices will fac...
Nov 06, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast After failure to pay civil servants and armed forces for a year-is South Sudan on the verge of becoming a failed state? What do Nigerians make of their former compatriot Kemi Badenoch, who has become the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK And why are Nigeria and South Africa able to export power but can't meet domestic demand? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebowitz in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Ga...
Nov 05, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast As piracy returns off the coast of Somalia, we hear from Pakistani and Iranian fishermen who fear being kidnapped. After years of being pushed back, the problem is once again on the rise. Also, find out how Africa's genetic variation could benefit the medical world. And how financial technology is changing business transactions on the African continent. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Journalist:...
Nov 04, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi concedes defeat, marking the end of rule for the Democratic Party (BDP). What went wrong for the party that has been in power since independence in 1966? Plus, we hear from the Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who says government tactics to silence critics are from a bygone era. And the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, that is seeking to break away from the rest of Nigeria, has been in court to reverse its designation as a terrorist orga...
Nov 01, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Civil society groups have warned the risk of sexual violence in Sudan is so severe that some women are taking their own lives. Campaigners have told the BBC of several cases of women taking their lives, either after enduring sexual violence or to avoid it. On Tuesday, a major UN report highlighted 'staggering' levels of sexual violence in Sudan, attributing the worst atrocities to the paramilitary RSF group. Aslo, find out how upcoming elections in the US could impact Africa. And could Compresse...
Oct 31, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chad's President Mahamat Déby has ordered an army offensive against Islamist militants after 40 soldiers were killed in an attack on a military base. But can the Chadian army defeat Boko Haram? A Congolese asylum seeker to the US shares his story and his message to the presidential candidates. And we hear how a TikTok game could be endangering social cohesion in Somalia. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Kaine Pirie in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi ...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
