Focus on Africa

A vibrant river reportedly ‘died' overnight in Zambia after an acidic waste spill at a Chinese-owned mineHow the Sudan crisis is affecting gum arabic productionAnd can AI help African farmers produce more? Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Bella Hassan. Senior Producer : Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Kenya and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will discuss a new lending programme and abandon the current one, as the country struggles to get its economy back on track. Kenya needs continued financial support from the fund to keep up with debt repayments that have accumulated as a result of heavy government spending in recent years. What does a fall out with the IMF mean for Kenya? Also, why women in Nigeria are calling for a nationwide state of emergencyAnd in conversation with Ghana's top investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who has been awarded $18m in damages!Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Amie Liebowitz in London. Daniel Dadzie in Accra. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why are Al Shabab jihadists intensifying attacks near Somalia's capital Mogadishu ?Lessons for Africa from the covid pandemic 5 years on.We meet the inspiring mother-daughter duo gearing up for the Safari Rally in Kenya.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers : Alfonso Daniels, Khadra Salad, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Bella Hassan in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The Democratic Republic of Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have called for an "immediate ceasefire" in eastern DR Congo, following talks in Qatar. It's the first time the two leaders have met since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels stepped up an offensive in the region, where authorities say seven thousand people have been killed since January. Will the ceasefire be heeded?Also, there's a rapid increase of weaponised drones across the continentAnd why has Sudan suspended all imports from Kenya?Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Sunita Nahar in London. Daniel Dadzie in Accra and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Angola recently refused entry to opposition leaders from across Africa.Why is South Africa's ambassador to the United States 'no longer welcome’?And Nigeria is projected to witness an obesity explosion in the next 30 years-why? Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi, Yvette Twagiramariya and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ethiopia and Eritrea could be headed towards war, according to regional experts and officials. The warnings stem from fresh instability in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where a civil war from 2020-2022 resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. What's behind the recent tension? Also, why is there a rise in the number of women being imprisoned?And we consider the legacy of the internationally acclaimed South African playwright, Athol Fugard.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Patricia Whitehorne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

France's far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, is visiting Chad this weekend where she will meet President Mahamat Déby. It's her second visit following a meeting with Déby's late father, President Idriss Déby, in 2017. Why is the French opposition leader back in Chad? Also, why do some African parents choose to send their children back home to Africa for school? And the blind football coach in Tanzania, who thinks anything is possible if you love the game!Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Producers: Joseph Keen and Alfonso Daniels Senior Journalist: Sunita Nahar Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Last week Nigerian lawmakers suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she alleged being sexually harassed by the senate president, Godswill Akpabio. He strongly denies the allegations. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has now made an impassioned plea at the UN, calling for better treatment of women in politics. What's it like for women in politics in Nigeria?Also what's the controversial story behind the JesusMinistries hashtag in Kenya? And whilst the world grapples with democracy in decline, we'll look at how this is playing out on the continentPresenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke in London Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Sudan’s unity government, led by President Salva Kiir with former rebel leader, Riek Machar as First Vice President, is facing mounting tensions, and clashes between forces allied to the president and first vice president are threatening a fragile power-sharing agreement. Could the young nation be heading towards a new civil war? For the first time in 17 years, Libya is calling on foreign companies to explore oil in its territory. But will investors be forthcoming? And why South Africa's apartheid reparations fund remains largely unspent, 30 years after it was set up to compensate victims of gross human rights violations.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Producers: Sunita Nahar in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sudan is taking the United Arab Emirates to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of supporting Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Khartoum argues the UAE is "complicit in the genocide" through military, financial and political backing for the RSF. The UAE has strongly rejected Sudan's allegations, calling the case a "cynical publicity stunt" and saying it will seek an immediate dismissal.Also will China be able to fill the gap after the withdrawal of USAID in Africa? And Jamestown in Ghana produces world boxing champions - but what's it like for women wanting to pursue the sport? Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi