Focus on Africa

South Africa's municipality of Ekurhuleni's attempt to expropriate land without compensation is under mediation after the private owners of the land sought compensation. The outcome of this landmark case will shape the future of land ownership and property rights across South Africa. Why illegal mining is a public health concern in Ghana. Are young Africans really among the most lonely on the planet? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Elphas Lagat ,Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan and Makouchi Okafor in Lagos. Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

New research reveals how digital platforms are being weaponised to abuse and exploit women in Kenya. We hear from a victim of online sexual abuse who gives a harrowing account of her experience, and also speak to a Digital Rights adviser on what needs to be done to protect women. Plastic waste is not only bad for the environment but can also be harmful to human beings. We hear about the risks, and also how one project in Lagos is turning discarded plastic into fashion. And we hear more about the Seychelles' Kreol Festival, which celebrates the nation's creole heritage and is now in its 40th year. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, and Tanya Hines Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi, Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

Why has the Gambian government issued a strong warning to ex -President Yahya Jammeh following his announcing plans to return from 9 years in exile?. Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso removed from a global money-laundering watchlist. How can they benefit? And how years of drought is decimating wealth, and thousands of lives in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Mark Wilberforce in London. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.

Authorities in Kenya intercept more than a tonne of methamphetamine in the Indian Ocean as part of the country's ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction Thousands of Tunisians protest in the southern city of Gabes, calling for a chemical plant to be shut down because they say it's ruining their children's health And three Sudanese football clubs are hoping to find refuge in Rwanda from the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Fierce rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, as well as Al-Ahli Wad Madani have been welcomed into the Rwandan league this season, a move that the Sudanese clubs say will keep their players active and their fans hopeful Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Alex Lathbridge, and Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

As the strategic city of el-Fasher finally falls to the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, we analyse what it means in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. How the world’s oldest president, Paul Biya of Cameroon, is set to change things as he wins a disputed eighth term that could keep him in power until the age of 99. And why are South Africans trying to save an ancient language, which has just one speaker? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Producer: Piers Edwards Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

As Tanzania gears up for elections on 29 October, we hear from two young people about the issues that matter to them and whether youth concerns have been featured in the electoral campaigns. How a young Senegalese footballer's dream of joining a professional club ended in tragedy after he was tricked and lured to Ghana by fake football agents. And how Africa is rapidly becoming a compelling destination for outsourcing services. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

We mark the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress- a landmark event in Manchester, England that changed Africa Why people with albinism in Tanzania face rising fear ahead of elections The plight of Cameroon's female gold miners Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Editors: Sam Murunga and Maryam Abdalla.

A BBC investigation uncovers dozens of social accounts using stolen identities of Somali and Muslim influencers and posting political propaganda content. We hear more about what was uncovered and who might be behind this widespread operation. Chad’s parliament has overwhelmingly approved a controversial constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits. What will this mean for 41-year-old President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s hold on power? And why the Kenyan Catholic Church took the decision to introduce a new brand of altar wine. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Elphas Lagat Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

Sudan war: Can Khartoum airport reopen just hours after a drone attack? 15 years after Boko Haram militancy started, why does a jihadist threat still remain in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state Ivory Coast: With the main opposition candidates barred from running, is President Alassane Ouattara set for a controversial fourth term? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Stefania Okereke, Alfonso Daniels, Mark Wilberforce and Yvette Twagiramariya in London Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Sam Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The last ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been released from a treatment centre in Kasai province. Can the country now be declared free of this latest outbreak? What is behind the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea over control of the Red Sea? And we hear from the Nigerian scientist, who has been recognised with a global award from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, on how her pioneering work is protecting yam and cassava crops and making them more resilient. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Alfonso Daniels Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can Madagascar's new president, Col Randrianirina, deliver change demanded by Gen Z Mada? Are West Africa’s illicit economies fueling the region’s wars and causing instability ? And a look at plans by the WHO to integrate traditional and modern medicine. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke and Saleck Zeid in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Monic dreams of leaving her home in rural Uganda for a different life. So when a “friend” promises her a job in Dubai, it feels like the chance she’s been waiting for. Monic is elated, she is the first of her 11 siblings to travel abroad. But just a few months later she is dead. Her family is left searching for answers. What happened in Dubai? For over two years, investigative journalist Runako Celina has been uncovering what really happened to Mona Kizz - whose real name is Monic Karungi. She delves into a sinister world behind the glitz and glamour of Dubai, where nothing is as it seems. You can listen to episode 1 right here. To hear more episodes, search for World of Secrets on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Or, if you are in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. Death in Dubai includes disturbing scenes, including discussion of sexual abuse and suicide. Some episodes also contain strong language. It is a BBC Eye investigation, produced in association with Thread Studios, for the BBC World Service. Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model. If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse or with feelings of despair are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Kenya's opposition leader, and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, has died suddenly at the age of eighty. We explore his legacy in Kenya and the rest of Africa. The world's largest producer of cobalt is the Democratic Republic of Congo. It replaces the ban with quotas but what does that mean for the DRC economy and its local mining communities? And did you know that young women can get perimenopause. We ask what it is? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu pardons many individuals-some posthumously. How were the decisions arrived at? Why are marriages and births declining in Tunisia? And are journalists in Tanzania exercising a lot of caution ahead of the general elections? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan in London. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

An elite military unit says it has seized power in Madagascar from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests. Where did it all go wrong for the entrepreneur and former DJ, who first became president in 2009 when he was just 34. Being a park ranger in Africa can be one of the most dangerous professions in the world. We hear from a ranger at Zambia's South Luangwa National Park who, with a group of others, has picked up an international award for his work. And Ghana’s iconic kente cloth has been officially recognised and granted protected status as a national heritage fabric. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Alfonso Daniels and Ryan Johnson Technical Producers: Chris Kouzaris and Sarah Kimberley Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Cape Verde have become the second-smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup-how did they do it? What was Egypt's role in mediating the deal to end the Gaza war? And how did The UAE became one of the biggest state investors in Africa? Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Mali's military government is reportedly engaged in talks with the militant group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) amid an ongoing blockade which has paralysed a key trade route for fuel, food, and essential goods. Could the crisis also threaten Mali’s stability and governance? A BBC Africa Eye investigation in Cape Town, South Africa, reveals how self-appointed healers and shamans are openly using psychedelic drugs as part of treatment for mental health issues. And if you are in a relationship, do you have 'a swag gap'? We hear more about the new phrase that is going viral on social media and whether being more stylish and confident than your partner can be a deal breaker. Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Mark Wilberforce and Joseph Keen Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Cameroon holds presidential elections this Sunday with Paul Biya, the world's oldest ruler, seeking another seven-year term. At 92 years old, there have been concerns about his health and ability to rule. The credibility of the election commission has also been questioned. And insecurity is rife in the English speaking parts of the country. So, can the polls on Sunday be free and fair? Also in the programme: should advertising boards be removed from football pitches to avoid accidents like the injury suffered by Togo's Samuel Asamoah during a game in China And Somalia is to introduce Swahili, the lingua franca of East Africa, to its national curriculum Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Jospeh Keen, Mark Wilberforce and Tanya Hines Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Journalist: Sunita Nahar Editors: Andre Lombard and Karnie Sharp

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to fix the country's challenges, promising that if they persist, he will resign. He said this during a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters. Many attendees had the opportunity to ask the president questions or simply share their views. We hear analysis. Also, South Africa’s highest court rules that all parents of newborns, will now be entitled to equal parental leave. And renewable energy overtakes coal as the world's leading source of electricity. What's the impact on African countries? Presenter: Karnie Sharp Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Tanya Hines Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Karnie Sharp

Eswatini accepts 10 more US deportees, despite rights groups in the southern African state mounting legal action to block the plan. We ask what has the Eswatini government got in return? Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaj, resigns after allegations that he forged his academic credentials. And nurses and midwives protest in Ghana for not being paid their salaries for nearly ten months Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Patricia Whitehorne, Alfonso Daniels, Senior producer: Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Nick Randell Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard