Focus on Africa

BBC World Service
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Jul 11, 2024 • 26min

Unfarmed land leaves millions staring at hunger in Sudan

More than half the population in Sudan - nearly 26 million people - face acute hunger as the ongoing war hinders agricultural production. The UN agency for Food and Agriculture (FAO) says it is trying to provide seed to farmers to help grow food.Who are Nigeria's ghost workers who are costing the economy millions of dollars? And will a new government plan succeed in exposing them and crackdown on the problem?And a Congolese entomologist says protein-rich insects are the food of the future.Presenter :Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan in London, Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Jul 10, 2024 • 35min

Can Ghana afford to pay striking civil servants?

Exploring Ghana's civil servants' strike, surgical reversals of female genital mutilation, and the controversial exhumation of graves in Somalia for a navy facility, highlighting societal challenges and personal empowerment.
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Jul 9, 2024 • 36min

Why land routes through Africa are more dangerous for migrants than Mediterranean crossings

Refugees and migrants taking land routes across Africa to get to the Mediterranean and Europe, face extreme violence, abuse and exploitation, with far more believed to be dying there than at sea, a UN-backed report says. Plus, why is Tanzania struggling with a huge shortage of university professors? And how the Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay made history at the gruelling Tour de France.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Jul 8, 2024 • 36min

What can the breakaway confederation do without Ecowas?

The West African regional grouping Ecowas has warned that it risks disintegration and worsened insecurity after Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formed a breakaway confederation. Can the three landlocked countries go it alone?Can your social media presence be inherited after you die?And a new look at how electronic waste can be recycled in GhanaPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London. Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Jul 5, 2024 • 31min

Can Burkina Faso's military government counter deadly jihadist attacks?

Burkina Faso's military is facing increased pressure after reports of a recent spate of  the deadly attacks of soldiers by jihadist fighters.  The Junta government lead by Ibrahim Traore ,has kept mum about this incidents.Why are soldiers deserting the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo? 25 soldiers have been sentenced to death for running away from battle with the M23 militia group.And members of Kenya’s LGBTQ community call for greater freedoms Presenter:Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle, Claudia Efemini and Joseph Keen in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Editors:Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Jul 4, 2024 • 34min

Can South Sudan hold its first post-independence elections this year?

Africa's youngest nation, South Sudan will head to the polls this December, but critics say they are disappointed with the government’s lack of preparedness.  These elections will be the first ever conducted in the country since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011.  However, several conditions listed in a peace agreement, drawn up in September 2018, have not yet been met.  Is the country ready?Also, what's causing the Gen Z inspired protests in Kenya to continue, despite some concessions by the president?And we learn more about the allegations that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is defending senior officials accused of corruption.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers Kaine Pieri,  Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Sunita Nahar in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Craig Kingham. Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.
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Jul 3, 2024 • 36min

Why do the British and French elections matter to Africa?

Two countries with major links to Africa are holding make or break elections this week. Britain and France. These elections will usher in new governments which may have completely new approaches to the continent. How will the outcome of the British and French elections impact Africa? And should Africans care? Also, Sierra Leone receives a million dollar grant from a US development agency, to scale up its electricity supply. How did they land the deal and how will the money be used?And the ancient language in danger of disappearing in Ethiopia. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Victor Sylver and Joseph Keen. Tech Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Jul 2, 2024 • 34min

Why jihadist groups use female suicide bombers?

Nigerian authorities say that suspected female suicide bombers participated in coordinated attacks in Nigeria that killed dozens of people. Why do young girls and women become suicide bombers?How the lives of displaced people in Mozambique's troubled Cabo Delgado Province are being rebuilt.And can local communities in Africa can be involved in conservation ? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
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Jul 1, 2024 • 33min

South Africa has a new coalition government

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a new coalition government, after his party, the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority in May's elections. Mr Ramaphosa said "the government of national unity is unprecedented in the history of our democracy". What do South Africans think of the new cabinet?Also a conversation with Ugandan designer Latif Madoi who was arrested and relased on bail.And can Tunisia's Ons Jabeur bring home tennis's most title..Wimbledon Champion? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Joseph Keen, Sunita Nahar, Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Gabriel O Regan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
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Jun 28, 2024 • 34min

Sierra Leone has banned child marriage

Sierra Leone recently passed a landmark bill to ban child marriage. The country has one of the highest child marriage rates in the world. How easy will it be to eliminate the practice?Also we hear from the new chancellor for the University of Nairobi Professor Patrick Verkooijen. What's his view on the Gen Z inspired protests in Kenya?And how did Togo manage to eliminate four neglected tropical diseases? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Aime Liebowitz, Bella Hassan, Victor Sylver and Rob Wilson in London. Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

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