Focus on Africa

An attempt by inmates to break out of Makala high-security prison in Kinshasa, DR Congo, has led to the deaths of more than 100 people.How can Africa benefit from ties with China?And can traditional and modern medicine work together? We hear from someone who practices both in Uganda. Presenter :Audrey Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke in London. Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

As African leaders gather in Beijing this week for the China-Africa summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping may have one thing under his belt to boast about - satellite TV rolled out in Africa. But have villagers really benefiited or not? Also, an announcement asking to free members of the Muslim Brotherhood from Egypt's prisons is quickly withdrawn. Why? And in Cape Town, artists from across the continent come together to perform challenging art for challenging times!Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The arrival of Egyptian military planes in Somalia ratchets up tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, raising tensions in the already fragile Horn of AfricaA dam bursts in Sudan killing at dozens of people, intensifying the suffering of a country already facing the ravages of war - we ask why dams fail so often in Africa?And doctors in Nigeria have been striking to demand the release of one of their colleagues kidnapped by bandits.

Every year hundreds of thousands of people go missing or are ‘forcibly disappeared’ around the world, and Africa has one of the highest number of cases. On International Day of the Disappeared we hear the testimony of one affected family, and discuss what needs to be done to effectively deal with the crisis. As health officials from several African nations conclude a week-long summit to discuss the MPox outbreak, are they closer to delivering on plans for the rollout of vaccines?   And what are the challenges of being a female stand-up comedian in Tanzania? Comedy sketch performer, Sakinah Chandoo, shares her wit and wisdom.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Sunita Nahar in London. Susan Gachuhi was in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a three-day trip to west Africa. He's hoping to curb the record number of unauthorised migrants travelling by boat to Europe via the Canary Islands. But why is migration increasing?Also why is there a delay in paying the Kenyan police deployed in Haiti? And what does naming of a lion, after the leader of the opposition, tell us about politics in Tanzania today?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

An El Nino induced drought is intensifying across southern Africa and has left almost 70 million people in urgent need of aid. Countries affected include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi and Zambia. We hear about the devastating impact it's having on a community in Northern Zimbabwe.Also the Gambian government wants to make ammendments to the country's constitution..but does it enjoy the support of all its citizens? And the African athletes going for gold at this year's Paralympics! Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida, Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Bella Hassan in London Techincal Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

In a rare move, Burkina Faso’s military-led government has acknowledged that a deadly attack has taken place in which at least 200 security officers and villagers were killed. Some reports say it could be one of the worst ever in the country. So who was behind the attack and why is the military government unable to contain the violence?Zambia faces a maize contamination crisis as aflatoxins – produced by certain mould and fungi - kill dozens of dogs, sparking health concerns. How can communities keep their food safe? And what sparked the massive fallout at at the top of South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that has led to the departure and defection of the party’s deputy leader.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The Maasai community in northern Tanzania has continued to protest against what they call forcible evictions from their ancestral lands at the Ngorongoro conservation area and a UNSECO heritage site. Why are they being relocated? Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, has announced that it is out of the doldrums, and has posted its first net profit in more than a decade. What lessons have they learnt from the past, and is the recovery sustainable? And Uganda proposes a new law that will require teachers to attain a bachelor’s degree to continue in the profession.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Yevgeny Prigozhin was at one time the leader of the well known Russian mercenary group, Wagner. The group, since Prigozhin's death a year ago, has changed its name to Africa Corps. Has this altered Russia's operations on the continent? Also how is Burundi coping with the outbreak of Mpox?And is it a good idea to save up for your funeral? We find out why some Kenyans are doing just that.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida, Marco Oriunto, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London. Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi are in Nairobi. Technical Producer : Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

At least 30 people have died and around 200 people are still missing after a boat sank in the Lukeni River in DR Congo. It's the latest fatal boat accident in the central African country, where overloading boats is often the problem. Why do these fatal accidents keep happening?Also why were charges dropped against the Libyans arrested while undergoing training at an illegal military camp in South Africa? And who benefits from Lesotho's 'white gold'?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle Techninal Proudcers: Francesca Dunn and Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi