Focus on Africa

The United States has called for a temporary nationwide ceasefire following continued fighting between the national army and armed groups in Oromia and Amhara regions. The US alleges that the armed groups target schools, health centres and water infrastructure.

Why has Gabon's deposed President Ali Bongo gone on hunger strike?

And Audrey speaks to legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder after he was granted Ghanaian citizenship ear...

A Swiss court has sentenced ex-Gambian minister,Ousman Sonko to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. Mr Sonko fled to Switzerland in 2016. He was arrested and had been in custody since 2017, after a human rights group based in Geneva filed a criminal complaint against him. Audrey speaks with Fatoumatta Sandeng, the daughter of the tortured opposition leader, Ebrima Solo Sandeng.

Also why are some South Africans not h...

Over 2 billion people rely on polluting fuels to prepare meals, the UN Secretary-General warns at a summit on clean cooking in Africa. We hear from a young female environmentalist in Malawi with a solution. Calls for an end to the abuse of power in Tunisia after a police raid on the Tunisian Bar Association headquarters and the arrest of two prominent lawyers. And a Ghanaian influencer speaks out on plans to tax income earned...

Chad’s opposition leader, Succès Masra says he is challenging the preliminary results of the recent presidential election. Preliminary results show President Mahamat Deby won with just over 61% of the vote and the runner-up Succès Masra had just over 18%. So why are the results being challenged?

Also why are South Africans enjoying a sustained period of electricity supply? Is it because of upcoming elections or has the main elect...

The Somali government has asked the U.N. Security Council to end the U.N. political mission in Somalia that has been helping the war-ravaged country since 2013. Can Somalia afford to go it alone?

Why is Nigeria's Senate calling for the death penalty for drug trafficking?

And concern that African penguins are facing gradual extinction.

Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga, Richard Kagoe, Rob Wilson and Paul Bakibinga Te...

Human Rights Watch says ethnic cleansing has taken place in El Geneina against the Massalit and non-Arab residents. What's the evidence?

Also, after more than three billion doses, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine won't be manufactured anymore. Why is that, and how will this affect future vaccine uptake in Africa?

And we explore attitudes to twins from Igbo Bora, a small rural community in southwest Nigeria which has an extraor...

Kenyan government doctors have signed an agreement to return to work in a bid to end a strike that started nearly 2 months ago. However, not all the doctors' demands have been met.

Thousands of Sudanese refugees flee two UN camps in Ethiopia due to security concerns.

And South Africa initiates plans to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga, Richard Kagoe, Susan Gachuhi, Rob Wil...

As the defence partnership between countries in the Sahel and the US and France ends, there's curiosity about which West African country will offer a base for French and US troops. Why is it important for these forces to have a base in West Africa?

Also we revist the plight of migrants in Libya, after 107 people, including women and children are freed from captivity.

And Audrey chats to ‘The Queen of Afrobeat'....singer-songwriter ...

Two time Olympic champion marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge has been speaking to the BBC about the impact of social media abuse on him and his family.

Togo's ruling party wins a parliamentary majority in legislative elections, is President Faure Gnassingbé set to extend his time in power?

And can the tropical modernism architectural style help face the challenge of climate change?

Presenter:Audrey Brown Producers:Patricia Whitehorne, Rob...

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands remain displaced across east Africa. Kenya and Tanzania escaped major damage from cyclone Hidaya, over the weekend, but they remain at risk of further flooding and landslides. Have governments done enough?

Also why has the place of birth been removed from the passports of a group of people born in the Chagos Islands?

And what's going on between Wizkid and Davido?

Presenter: Daniel Da...

The U.S. has withdrawn its troops from Chad, this follows a similar move in neighbouring Niger. The head of the US Africa Command says it was "temporary repositioning" of troops.  What does he mean and how damaging is this to global security interests?

Also why is there growing concern for the safety of children in South Africa?

And cyclone Hidaya is expected to make landfall on the East African Coast, affecting mainly the already fl...

A UN-backed special court has issued an international arrest warrant for the former president of the Central African Republic, François Bozizé. This is in connection with an investigation into his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed by soldiers in a prison between 2009 and 2013. We'll get the details.

Also why are gunmen guarding cocoa crops in Uganda?

And a big victory for a small indigenous community in South ...

The U.S. has warned of a looming potential "large scale massacre" in Al-Fashir, a city in Sudan. The United Nations says it's also concerned about a possible imminent attack. What's going on?

Also state TV in Mali says the senior IS commander, Abu Huzeifa, who had a 5 million dollar bounty on his head has been killed by troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Who was he and why is his death being seen as significant?

And we ...

More than 160 people are now known to have been killed by weeks of flooding in Kenya following torrential rain, that's according to officials.  We'll hear from the Kenyan President, William Ruto.

Also former UK diplomat, Tim Cole, says it's time to reset London's relationship with Africa.  What would that new relationship look like?

And we meet young Africans pushing the boundaries of representation in the gaming industry!

Presenter:...

It is 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic elections. Three decades on, is it hope or gloom for the 'rainbow nation'?

Also did a national emergency against sexual violence set up 5 years ago, make any difference in Sierra Leone?

And we meet the Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, using cloth to wrap up the brutalist Barbican centre in London and revealing a hidden history.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, ...

More than 220 civilians, including at least 56 children, were massacred by Burkina Faso's military in a single day this year. That's the allegation by Human Rights Watch.  So, how did HRW reach this conclusion and what's the response from the Burkina Faso government?

Also why is the DR Congo warning big tech companies, like Apple, to not use minerals from the eastern part of the country? 

And we meet Nigerian Afrobeats artist, Ayra ...

African leaders meeting at a security summit in Nigeria says the continent needs a new plan to tackle violent extremism. The two-day counter-terrorism summit, supported by the United Nations, was also attended by African Union Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat What are the challenges facing the continent and how can it be tackled?

Also why is so little money spent on healthcare in Africa?

And a plan to save the South African rhino as ...

The UK parliament has passed the Rwanda asylum law. People arriving on small boats can have their asylum claims processed in Rwanda. When is this likely to take place and why is it of global significance?

Why is Zimbabwe's newly introduced gold-backed currency already on the decline?

And a strong caution about harmful chemicals found in hair relaxers.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers:Richard Kagoe, Patricia Whitehorne, Rob Wilson, B...