Focus on Africa

A court in Uganda has sentenced Thomas Kwoyelo, a former senior commander of the rebel group the Lord's Resistance Army, to 40 years in prison for war crimes including murder, rape, enslavement and torture. Victoria Nyanjura was 14 years old when she was abducted by the group from her school in Northern Uganda. She was forced to work for the group and was repeatedly raped. Victoria shares her thoughts on the sentencing and recounts her experience at the hands of the LRA.Also a review of this year's BRICS summit, as Ethiopia and Egypt join the blocAnd why does asthma, a chronic lung condition, remain undiagnosed in children on the continent?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar, Daniel Dadzie and Joseph Keen in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

In this engaging discussion, Jason Braganza, Executive Director at the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development, sheds light on Africa's crippling debt crisis and its hindering effect on development. Caroline Kisia, Africa Director for Project ECHO, tackles the critical challenges in early cancer diagnosis and treatment. They explore the devastating impact of the Tigray conflict on education, the urgent need for debt reform, and innovative efforts to improve cancer care access amidst healthcare disparities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Russia's embassy in Sudan has said it is investigating reports that a cargo plane with Russian crew was shot down in Darfur, a key battle ground in the civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Is Russia part of a proxy war in Sudan?Kenya's all women SWAT squad heads to Haiti And will the junta in Gabon step aside once a new constitution is adopted?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Joseph Keen, Alphonso Daniels and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The Kenyan government says it deported four Turkish refugees back home. The UN's refugee agency is not pleasedEgypt officially declared 'malaria-free' by the World Health Organization (WHO) after a 100-year long effort.And why Botswana has never borrowed money from the IMFPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers Amie Liebowitz, Sunita Nahar, Blessing Aderogba and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa's health department say they've begun 'intense' investigations into alleged food poisioning cases especially amongst children. In a recent case six children all under the age of 10 died in Soweto, after allegedly eating food that was poisioned. We hear from a journalist covering the story.Also why South Africa's relationship with Taiwan is tense - and what sort of relationship does the island share with the rest of the continent?And why is Mozambique planting around 200 million mangroves?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Stefania Okereke, Amie Liebowitz, Audrey Brown and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

There was drama in Kenyan politics this week which ended with the impeachment of deputy president  Rigathi Gachagua. Young people voted in big numbers during the general elections in 2022.  Two youths share their views on the matter.Why has the government of Ivory Coast dissolved all student unions?And how Al-Shabab militia in Mogadishu are making life difficult for business owners with CCTV cameras on their premises.Presenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi, Blessing Aderogba, Yvette Twagiramariya and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

An explosion from an overturned fuel tanker in northern Nigeria has killed more than 150 people, including several children. Many others were injured and taken to hospital. Officials say, the death toll could rise. Fuel tanker accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, so why does this keep happening?Also the International Criminal Court says it's renewing investigations into alleged war crimes in DR Congo And how an online post showing the lack of care of infrastructure in Johannesburg has sparked a debate in South Africa!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen, Yvette Twagiramariya, Victor Sylver, and Benjamin Woodroof in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

On World Food Day we consider how changing weather patterns due to climate change are worsening Nigeria's food insecurity.BBC journalist Mohanad Hashim's emotional return to the city of his birth, Omdurman in Sudan, 18 months after the war startedAnd efforts to save the Yaaku language which is at risk of extinction in Kenya.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya, Blessing Aderogba, Nour Abida and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Equatorial Guinea and Gabon have asked the International Court of Justice to help settle a dispute. They are both laying claim to oil rich Islands not far from their coastlines. But who owns the islands and how far back does this dispute go? Also why cargo ships vare losing hundreds of containers around the Cape of Good Hope in South AfricaAnd why is the Nigerian men's football team boycotting their AFCON qualifying game against Libya? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle and Victor Sylver in London. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Efrem Ghebreab, a BBC Africa Eye reporter, shares gripping insights about Africa's deadliest migration route, detailing the harrowing experiences of migrants risking everything for a better future. Catherine Gileady, a Paris-based journalist, discusses the controversial trial of a French-Cameroonian writer facing charges of genocide denial. Dr. Johan Bernard, an expert in soil science, addresses the pressing issue of excess salt in farming, offering solutions to help struggling communities cope with declining agricultural productivity.