Focus on Africa

Kenya's high court has struck down a law that criminalised the act of attempting suicide. We hear from one of the petitioners who brought the challenge, on why the judge's ruling is important. Also in the podcast, we revisit the dumpsite in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that collapsed and killed more than 30 people last August. How is the city managing its waste problem? And a shop owner tells us about the devastating impact of a fire at one of the biggest open air markets in Ghana, and efforts to rebuild the area. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London. Frenny Jowi was in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) pulls out of the largest free hospital in Sudan’s capital Khartoum. Fears over a cargo of explosive fertiliser in a harbour in Ivory Coast And who are the Baye Fall muslims in Senegal? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebovitz and Nyasha Michelle in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer : Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Benin forces have suffered heavy losses in an attack which the military chief described as 'a heavy blow'. The assault happened at one of Benin's most well-equipped military positions. So who was behind the attack and what does it tell us about Benin's security preparedness? Also in the podcast, after São Tomé and Príncipe's president fired the prime minister accusing him of failing in his job, are political tensions on the verge of being ignited in the central African island nation? And why is the South African government not able to provide better reliable water and sanitation? We hear from the deputy minister responsible for Water and Sanitation. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Sunita Nahar in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

What can be done to tackle a water crisis in South Africa's largest city Johannesburg? Can Somalia's army tackle jihadists when peacekeeping forces withdraw? After space debris landed in a Kenyan village we ask : will this become more common? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Editors :Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The M23 rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured the key town of Masisi in the in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, in renewed, intense fighting. Why has there been an upsurge in the the violence and why is seizing control of Masisi so significant? Also in the podcast, why does Nigeria have the highest rates of neonatal jaundice? And we hear from two farmers in Sierra Leone - who are both amputees - about a project called Farming on Crutches, that is aimed at helping people with missing limbs find a new way to make a living. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Kaine Pieri here in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Will increasing tax in South Africa help stop excessive drinking? Why are Nigeria's rice farmers struggling despite government policies to boost local production. And as more athletes break records we ask: just how long will records continue being broken? Presenter :Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

55 African airlines have been banned from EU skies after a newly revised blacklist was released. Which airlines are they and why the ban? Also why are some Kenyan farmers resisting government plans to vaccinate their livestock? And the legacy of Dada Masilo, the young South African dancer who died at the age of 39. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Aime Liebowitz in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Egypt once had the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world, but has now almost completely wiped out the liver attacking virus in less than 10 years. How did they do that? Could the African mealworm be a solution to tackling plastic waste? Kenyan researchers say the larvae of the darkling beetle species native to Africa can digest plastic in their guts and degrade styrofoam, one the most harmful materials to the environment. Also in the podcast, how Nigerian pet owners are having to make heartbreaking decisions about their animal companions as the high cost of living continues to squeeze finances. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Stefania Okereke, Aimie Liebovitz and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Ivory Coast has confirmed, French troops stationed in the region for decades, will begin withdrawing from Ivorian soil this month. This marks another shift in the growing trend across West Africa, where France is seeing a reduction in their military presence. An analyst explains the genesis of this resentment. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron was recently heckled during his visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte. What's France's relationship with Mayotte? And will the rights of the Kua people in Botswana, also known as Bushmen, be better under new President Boko Duma's government ? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producer: Sunita Nahar in London Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

During his first term as US president, Donald Trump had a very limited engagement with Africa, so what will his return to the White House mean for the continent? We hear from a political analyst on the potential opportunities and perils for US-Africa relations. Did you know that drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people under 30? Podcast host Audrey Brown has a conversation with the World Health Organization about how they are helping countries, including in Africa, to devise effective drowning prevention strategies, and she makes a new year resolution that she is determined to keep. Also in this episode, we meet the remarkable 25-year-old Malawian, Tusaiwe Munkhondya, who through her foundations, has fostered dozens of children and provided help and support to vulnerable people across Malawi. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa has become a key player in the International drugs trade, that's according to the global crime index. The country has a growing domestic market and now shares trade connections with South America, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia. We'll hear from South African journalist and author Caryn Dolley who has written about how deeply entrenched South Africa is in the international narco scene Also, why are there so few legal protections for whistleblowers? And advice on pension funds and why we need to start thinking about it! Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Nick Randell Producers: Rob Wilson and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

More than 80 people have been abducted over recent weeks in Kenya, sparking a rise in public anger and more protests on the streets. But why are the kidnappings happening and who is being targeted? We talk to our reporter in Nairobi who has been following events. Also in this episode, we hear about the journeys of African migrants from West Africa to the Canary Islands, the painful realities that push them away from home, and the dangers that come with crossing the Atlantic ocean. And we hear from Cape Verde on how the country has managed to transform its agricultural sector after years of a severe drought left it struggling to survive. Could Cape Verde be a model for other African countries? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Victor Sylver and Bella Hassan in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Philip Bull Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

What is “ Ivoirité ” ? We explore this controversial concept and its effects as Ivory Coast prepares for general election in 2025. Also, why women in Morocco are welcoming a review of child custody, divorce, and polygamy law, and why dolls aren’t just dolls- find out how they can affect a child’s behaviour in later life.

Air Tanzania, has been added to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) list of airlines that have been restricted from operating within the European Union. So what are the shortcomings? We sought answers from an aerospace expert. Did you know that South Africa’s unique succulent plants are under threat from poachers? We have a first-hand account from our correspondent who has been to the remote biodiversity hotspot that has become the hub of an illegal trade. And new research, that included delving into the Vatican archives, has revealed how an Angolan prince, became a key figure in the fight against the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a century before its abolition. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Thousands of Sudanese Christians face Christmas away from home as the Sudan war continues. We hear from one woman who was born into a Muslim family but converted to Christianity, on how her community tries to help those fleeing the war, and how she maintains Christmas traditions despite living in exile in Egypt. We meet one of the young people who was at the forefront of the unprecedented #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Kenya. And Ivorian chef Brice Assemian joins us in the studio to discuss and serve up the dish that the UN agency, Unesco, has declared a part of the unique heritage of Ivory Coast. Presenter Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark. Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Dozens of people have died in stampedes to collect Christmas hampers in Nigeria raising concerns about safety at these events. Also in the programme, why South Sudanese civil servants have not been paid their salaries for nearly a year, and what South African shop owners are saying about the government's new regulations to address food poisonings.

Malawi's government is demanding billions in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone company for rubies exported over the last 10 years. The companies deny the claims The tale of the child bride social media sensation in South Sudan. And a couple share their painful experience with infertility Presenter Audrey Brown Producers: Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Amie Liebowitz in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Piracy off the coast in Somalia, had cost the global economy around 7 billion US dollars just over a decade ago. Since then, international security patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lane all but eliminated piracy. But in recent months, there’s been a resurgence off the coast of the autonomous region of Puntland. Why is that? Also, what's behind the fire at the parliamentary buildings in Liberia? And why Nigerians are not all that happy about "Detty December"? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

An underfunded and undermanned contingent of 400 Kenyan police are on a mission to quell gangs in Haiti. How are they coping? More Somali migrants stranded in Libya return home. And Algerian Kamel Daoud was recently awarded a top French prize for his novel Houris- why is it banned in Algeria? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Amie Liebowitz in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Over a thousand Sierra Leoneans were recently arrested on the streets of Conakry in Guinea and deported. Sierra Leoneans reciprocated with their own deportation of Guineans. This all resulted in a diplomatic spat between the two countries. We'll get the details. Also is Kenya really increasing state surveillance of its citizens? We'll hear government response to these claims And a fresh start for Mali as production begins at the largest non-exploited lithium mine in the world! Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi and Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi