Focus on Africa

A group of deportees from the US have sued the Ghanaian government, alleging they've been detained illegally. We talk the lawyer representing these deportees and ask what legal framework underpins this US-Ghana deportation deal? And how does this situation tests the principles of human rights? Also in the programme: The BBC has managed to get rare access into Sudan's oil-rich Kordofan region, which has turned into a major front line in the war between the army and rival paramilitary forces. We hear about the people caught up in the fighting. And a 3000-year-old bracelet has been stolen and melted down in Egypt, raising questions about how the country protects its artefacts. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers : Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorse and Makouchi Okafor Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbe’s sister-in-law, who’s also the ex Defence Minister, has been arrested after calling for end to family rule. How aid cuts and crocodile attacks are contributing to malnutrition in northern Kenya. And why do Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso apparently want to leave the International Criminal Court? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers : Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in London. Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jack Graysmark. Editors: Andre Lombard, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

Guineans will vote in a referendum on a new constitution, on Sunday, that would permit junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for president, despite his promise not to do so when he seized power four years ago. Political analyst Renna Hawili explains the other major proposals. Also, will a new World Trade Organisation agreement help protect the livelihoods of fishing communities off the coast of Africa? And hear why an Ivorian musician's performance at a festival in Paris, was cancelled. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Makuochi Okafor, Yvette Twagiramariya, Ayuba Iliya, Madina Maishanu and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Andre Lombard

South Sudan: UN report accuses leaders of "systematic looting" The government denies the allegations Why was the Gambia’s auditor general forcibly removed by police from office? Plus, why domestic worker jobs are on the decline in South Africa Presenter :Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Mark Wilberforce in London. with Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Samuel Murunga, Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

Several fuel tankers were destroyed in Mali after al Qaeda-linked insurgents, who had declared a blockade on fuel imports to the country, attacked a convoy of more than 100 vehicles. That's according to local reports. A fuel supply blockade initiated by the militant group, JNIM, has been in place since early September. The militants had threatened fuel importers and drivers that they would be targeted while bringing products into the country. Mali's Prime Minister Maïga said, "the damage caused clearly demonstrates that armed groups in the area are desperate and have adopted a new operating method, causing panic in certain places." We hear analysis. Also, there's concern in Ethiopia after 92% of grade 12 students who sat national examinations, failed. It's the third year in a row for bad results in the country. Why are students failing? And who benefits from the continued growth of the Mandarin language on the continent? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne and Makuochi Okafor Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla, Samuel Murunga and Alice Muthengi

Why is the treason charge being used against several key opposition figures in some African countries ? We meet Elsa Owusu-Sarpong - aka Bikergirl El’- the tireless road safety campaigner from Ghana. What's the sad tale behind her passion and inspiration? And Africa’s elderly population is set to increase – but how are they treated? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi.

A Ugandan woman, Monic Karungi, known online as Mona Kizz, tragically fell to her death from a Dubai high-rise in 2022. Within hours her name was trending. A grainy video of a woman jumping from a building began circulating, with social media users claiming it was of Monic and that she’d taken her life after a “porta potty” video of her was leaked. We hear from BBC Eye’s Runako Celina, who spent two years trying to find answers as to why and how Monic and another Ugandan woman by the name of Kayla both died under similar, tragic circumstances. Also, what's the state of press freedom in Africa, as it declines sharply around the world? And how two sworn enemies came together to promote peace in Nigeria Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

The International Criminal Court concludes hearings into war crime charges against the Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony and will decide whether he should face trial. But who is Joseph Kony and what are the charges against him? How some South African schools are fighting childhood obesity. And as Malawi gears up for elections, how can the participation and representation of women in the country's politics be increased? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar and Priya Sippy in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa is to reopen an inquest into the death of anti-apartheid figure Steve Biko, who died in police custody. It will officially be registered in court on the anniversary of Biko's death, the 12th of September, almost 50 years ago. We hear reaction from Biko's friend and fellow anti- apartheid campaigner, Saths Cooper. We also remember the legacy Steve Biko left behind. Also, are Islamist militants targeting civilians in Niger? And we meet the Nigerian poet who is the UN's first Global Advocate for Peace. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Will the second Africa climate summit produce tangible solutions to fight for climate justice? Police abuse is widespread in Kenya a new study finds. Rights groups warn the findings expose systemic failures that have left many Kenyans vulnerable to police harassment and violence. And how did Botswana become a leader in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Ayuba Iliya in Lagos. Priya Sippy, Stefania Okereke, and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ethiopia opens Africa's largest hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river deepening a rift with Egypt and Sudan. Authorities in the US have arrested two suspected leaders of the Cameroon separatists' military wing. We find out more about the charges against the two men, and why Cameroon has been blighted by a conflict between armed separatists and government forces in the country's mainly anglophone North West and South West regions. And following the canonisation of London-born teenager Carlo Acutis in a ceremony presided over by Pope Leo in Vatican City, what is the process of becoming a saint? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Makouchi Okafor in Lagos and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Nick Randell Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A new Ebola outbreak declared in the DR Congo. An emergency response has been launched Over 10 opposition parties form coalition ahead of Ethiopia's next polls And we experience a ride on one of Tanzania's locally manufactured planes Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke and Priya Sippy in London. Makuochi Okafor in Lagos with Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Zambia's former Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji has been sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour after being convicted, along with a co-accused of corruption. President Hakainde Hichilema promised to root out corruption when he swept to power four years ago, is he now delivering on that pledge? In Egypt, dozens of teenage TikTok influencers have been arrested in recent weeks on charges such as violating family values, indecency and money laundering. We hear more on why authorities are getting tough with digital content creators. And the Congolese word Liboke is a new entry in a French dictionary, but why has the given definition sparked a debate? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Ayuba Iliya was in Lagos Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why are fighters from Somalia's Jubaland region crossing the border into Kenya. Their presence is - causing fear and uncertainty Burkina Faso's unelected transitional parliament bans homosexual acts Plus how experts in Africa are tryings to close the AI language gap Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Priya Sippy, Alfonso Daniels, Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard, and Alice Muthengi

A landslide that followed days of heavy rain, has killed hundreds of people in the remote Marra Mountains in western Sudan, and trapped survivors in deep valleys. How do aid agencies help people hit by a natural disaster but caught in the middle of a war? A new report details an increase in disappearances, kidnappings and torture in Tanzania. We hear from relatives looking for their family members. And a new study warns that people are using digital platforms like TikTok to sell the meat of endangered animals. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Priya Sippy in London. Charles Gitonga and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

An extensive earthen wall is being built around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher. Researchers from Yale University say it is intended to trap people inside. Why is there a rapidly growing demand for solar panels in Africa? And we meet Iris- the teaching robot in South Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya and Sunita Nahar in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Two years on from the devastating fire at an abandoned building in Johannesburg that was occupied by squatters, how much has changed? We revisit the scene of one of South Africa's worst tragedies, in which more than 70 people - including children - died, to find out what happened to the survivors. Scientists warn that global warming and climate change could be making flight turbulence more frequent. Will bumpier skies put people off air travel? And lawyers are arguing for easier divorce laws in Uganda. So what are the pros and cons of no-fault, as opposed to, fault divorces? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Sunita Nahar and Priya Sippy in London. Makuochi Okafor in Lagos Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Nigeria has banned for six months exports of shea nuts used for beauty products to help boost the local economy More about Malawi's health boat that provides a lifeline for locals on a remote island And we find out why African made prom dresses are a hit among American teenagers Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Makuochi Okafor and Ayuba Iliya in Lagos. Alfonso Daniels, Stefania Okereke and Yvette Twagriyamariya in London and Madina Maishanu in Abuja. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

A new Human Rights Watch report says the EU's and Spain’s outsourcing of migration control to Mauritania has worsened abuses against asylum seekers and migrants heading for Europe, but the Mauritanian authorities reject those claims. Why are cybercrimes on the rise in Africa and how can you stay safe? And we find out why the population of one of Kenya's iconic tourist attractions - flamingos - has fallen sharply. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Priya Sippy in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Botswana's president Duma Boko, has declared a public health emergency as the country faces a shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment. Africa's defence chiefs discuss collective strategies and joint responses to insecurity in the continent. And why is the northern Nigerian state of Kano losing its famous yellow buses? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Priya Sippy and Stefania Okereke in London with Ayuba Iliya in Lagos Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Maryam Abdallah, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi