Focus on Africa

How are Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea affecting Africa?Kenya and the EU sign an historic economic partnership agreement to boost trade. Will the East African region benefit?Will a new sickle cell treatment approved in the UK and US give hope for patients in Africa?

Vote counting in Chad is still underway after polls closed on Sunday in what was seen as a controversial referendum, on a new constitution. Provisional results are expected to be announced on the 24th of December, with the Supreme Court due to validate them four days later. So why was it seen as controversial? Also why females in Malawi are among the most vulnerable, after cyclone Freddy destroyed their farms. Mothers are turning to desperate measures to support their families.And we meet the director of Nigerian film 'Mami Wata', which has been submitted for an Oscar nomination!

Guinea’s main oil terminal in the capital Conakry has exploded, killing 8, injuring dozens. What now for the country’s fuel security?Why is Ethiopia on the brink of a debt default ?And we meet a South African artist Odirile Khune Motsiri who specialises in used denim

Nearly 40 million voters go to the polls for the next presidential election on the 20th of December in the DR Congo. Incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi is seeking a second, and final, five-year term in office. Do these elections matter and what's at stake?Also what are SDRs and how does the International Monetary Fund allocate them? Are they distributed fairly or not?And what's life like for journalists in Mozambique, following the assassination of a prominent journalist in Maputo?

Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs says that at least 22 Ugandans are currently being held captive in Myanmar. The deputy national coordinator for trafficking in persons said they were originally destined for work in Thailand.Somalia secures $4.5 billion debt relief deal from international creditors Plus the recommendations from a Ghanaian study into financial literacy for professional footballers

A largely unobserved truce in DR Congo, results in heightened tensions between Rwanda and the DRC. There's a presidential election just round the corner, with President Félix Tshisekedi seeking a second, and final, five-year term in office. So, is peace ever possible in the DRC?Also, South African musician Tyla sparks a debate on social media, after describing herself as "coloured". She was talking about her mixed heritage on TikTok. We'll hear a fascinating conversation about the complexities of coloured identity within the South African context.And we meet Rebeca Omordia the Romanian/Nigerian pianist, championing the work of African classical music composers!

COP 28 : A new deal agreed at the UN Climate summit in Dubai. Is it all talk and no implementation?Kenya's ambitious plan to provide employment in other countries for its youth. And will it really take 300 years to end child marriage ?

In November, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, was unlawful. The court said it was concerned about Rwanda's poor human rights record and its past treatment of refugees. The Rwandan government rejected the Court judgement and said: "We take our humanitarian responsibilities seriously and will continue to live up to them." We will hear a personal objection to the plan, from a Rwandan living here in the UK. Also what's behind the sacking of cabinet ministers in South Sudan?And an invitation to a unique North African Jewish holiday, celebrating women!

Egypt election: Despite a crumbling economy, why is President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi seeking a consecutive third term? Is a high voter turnout expected?The growing influence of Russia in the Central African Republic. And a progress report on African countries looking to help Europe meet its rising gas needs.

Exactly one week ago the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to lift Somalia's arms Embargo, thirty years after it was first imposed. So, why now? And why was it imposed in the first place?Also one of the key themes emerging at this year's COP28 is securing funding for renewable energy, like solar power. We'll look at the potential of how African countries can harness the sun. There are challenges, but there is progress too. And how the viral song "Mwaki" has created Africa's new global sensation...we meet Sofiya Nzau.