Africa Today
Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast contains the day's top stories from African news - available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.
What challenges for Namibia's first female president?
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…
Ghana Elections. What's at stake?
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…
Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village mourns
Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village continues to mourn dozens of deaths and cope with injuries one year later onWe look at the impact of mercury poisoning caused by illegal mining in southwestern GhanaAnd how easy is it for you to travel to another African country?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan…
Why is President Biden visiting Angola?
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…
Is a global plastics treaty closer?
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,…
An increase in internally displaced people in Africa
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…
Nigerian soldiers killed in jihadist attack
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 RamaphosaWhy does President Felix Tshisekedi want to change the Congolese constitution?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle, Sunita Nahar and…
Namibian elections: what's at stake?
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…
Why is Zimbabwe's opposition in disarray?
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 AfricaPlus, lessons the South African city of…
Why has Mali replaced its Prime Minister?
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…
G20: does South Africa's presidency matter?
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…
Russia votes against a ceasefire in Sudan. Why?
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…
How deep are the links between India-Nigeria?
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…
Senegal's government claims victory in elections
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 sonAnd a prize…
Who are the miners trapped inside a closed mine in South Africa?
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…
EU ends fishing agreement with Senegal
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…
Africa's quest for money at COP
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…
Somaliland election: What do we need to know?
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…
Sierra Leone’s loitering laws declared discriminatory
The ECOWAS Court recently declared Sierra Leone’s loitering laws discriminatory and ordered their amendment or repealA 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, …
Mauritians unsure of democracy ahead of elections
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?…