Africa Today

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has withdrawn its mediation team from Guinea Bissau. Its mission was to help reach a political consensus on the elections, which were postponed by President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. So will voting, pushed back to later this year, still go ahead?A BBC investigation finds that young women in Kenya are being lured into sexual exploitation on TikTok. Is the social media platform doing enough to keep users safe?And former South African football star, Benni McCarthy, is Kenya's new head coach. Is the appointment of Africans to lead African teams now an established trend?Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa voted for a UN General Assembly resolution calling for Ukraine’s territorial integrity to be respected last week, while the US abstained from the vote because it considered the resolution too anti-Russian. How does the very public falling out between the US and Ukraine affect South Africa's offer to broker peace between Moscow and Kyiv? What's South Africa's role in all of this? Also, navigating the subject of witchcraft in Zambia.And how did Guinea eradicate sleeping sickness?Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

How is Burundi coping with a refugee crisis caused by fighting in eastern DR Congo?What dangerous substances are being added to the deadly drug Kush?And why are some people adding detergent to the West African staple food fufu? What are the dangers?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke in London with Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

A ship the size of a football field, crewed by more than 50 engineers and technicians, cruises the oceans around Africa to keep the continent online. It provides a vital service, repairing damaged internet cables that lay deep under the sea. We go onboard the Léon Thévenin. Also, recent reports say, Tunsian authoraties are cracking down on the LGBTQ+ community in TunisiaAnd why are West Africans more prone to getting Kidney disease? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Gabriel O Regan Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Stefania Okereke and Amie Liebowitz in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A border clash between Ethiopia and Kenya has left several people dead or missing.Germany elections: Why is the rise of right-wing parties worrying for African communities?Somalia passes a " game changing" law to protect persons living with disabilitiesPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

In a bold diplomatic move Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has reportedly proposed granting the United States and Europe access to the country’s vast mineral resources. What's the deal and why now?Also, what is postpartum depression and why does it need to be taken seriously?And a young cancer survivor in Tanzania shares her story of recovery with us.Presenter: Audrey Brown Technical Producer: Gabriel O Regan Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, publicly regrets annulling the Nigerian1993 presidential election. How does family of presumed winner, Moshood Abiola, respond?We explore the affordable housing crisis in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa.And reaction after Botswana lifts a ban on South African vegetablesPresenter : Audrey Brown Producers :Sunita Nahar and Amie Liebowitz in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer : Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

There is growing concern that a law introduced in 2021 is being used to muzzle freedom of expression in Sierra Leone. Hawa Hunt, a social media infleuncer with Siera Leonean and Canadian citizenship is the latest victim of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021. She is accused of insulting President Julius Maada Bio and his wife Fatima Bio in a video posted on Facebook in 2023 just as the country was preparing for elections. Her dramatic arrest during a live television show was a national talking point. Her daughter, Alicia reflects on the struggle to free her mother.Also, a BBC Eye investigation reveals how highly addictive pills produced in India are flooding the streets of West Africa And Senegal begins refining its own oil, will the locals benefit ? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre

Sudan's military led government are upset by Kenya's decision to host a conference of the paramilitary Rapid Support ForcesIs there a regional power play behind Mauritania and Morocco's electricity exchange agreement ?And what's the deadly bacteria that's making Lake Victoria turn green?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London. and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer : Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Experts say the health of millions of Africans is at stake following the suspension of much needed USAID funds. Programs that the US organisation funds on the continent are vast and crucial. What do African governments need to do to fill the gap?Also, a new report says that the recruitment of children as soldiers on the continent remains a challenge. We hear from a former child soldier.And a proposal for a fresh approaching in saving the African rhino, but this time, everyone is included in the conversation for conservation!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali at the weekend killed dozens of peopleThe world’s ‘first openly gay imam’ who was shot dead in South Africa, Muhsin Hendricks, is remembered What can be done about overcrowding in prisons in Africa?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar and Stefania Okereke in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Gabriel O'Regan Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

African Union members have elected Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the next chair of the AU Commission. Mr Ali Youssouf defeated Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Foreign Minister of Madagascar Richard Randriamandrato. What are some of the challenges he faces?Also, why is Gambia running short on medicines? And are tech-savvy Gen Z's really more vulnerable to cyber attacks? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Philip Bull Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A month-long fishing ban in Sierra Leone leaves families struggling to cope.Who are AfriForum- the white Afrikaner minority group that's behind Donald Trump's intimidation of South Africa?And we meet Nada Hafez -The Egyptian fencer whose Olympic pregnancy stunned the world.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle, Frenny Jowi and Paul Bakibinga. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is holding a public hearing in Tanzania, on a case filed by DR Congo against Rwanda. The country accuses Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, orchestrating violence, and destabilizing the DRC. Rwanda denies the accusations. How significant is this? Also, a look at the growing economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. What difference does it make to ordinary Zimbabweans?And why a separatist fighter in Cameroon handed over his weapons to become a teacher..Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Phillip Bull Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Did Shell ignore clean-up warnings in southern Nigeria?Why residents of Cape Town’s brightly coloured Bo-Kaap neighbourhood are concerned about tourism numbersAnd calls for AI to bridge the gender equality gap in AfricaPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

In January this year DR Congo's Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said 127 people, aged between the ages of 18 and 35, had received the death sentence. Rights groups said that number was higher. The DRC government had announced it would resume executions in 2024 following a two-decade hiatus. Who are these men and why have they been sentenced to death?Also, why are global powers interested in the Seychelles, the smallest country in Africa?And we hear why, it really does take a village to raise a child!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

After a recent summit, leaders from east and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Willing the warring parties listen?After a fire kills 16 children in Zamfara state, north western Nigeria, how can schools there be made safer?How will Sam Nujoma the first president of Namibia be remembered?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Victor Sylver, Patricia Whitehorne, and Nyasha Michelle in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. However, President Ramaphosa has said his country "will not be bullied". What's at stake for the country? Also why have Moroccans decided to call a general strike? It's the first one in almost a decadeAnd Rwanda faces allegations of sports washing, a claim the country denies. What's going on? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Nysaha Michelle Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Kenya's Business Registration Service (BRS) reveals a major data breach has exposed sensitive information of numerous private companiesWill the killing of several key jihadist militants spell the end of IS in Somalia?And how will the late Aga Khan, leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims, be remembered?Presenter: Blessing AderogbaProducers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

This episode has been edited to correct an editorial errorGabon's military government recently announced that the presidential elections will be held on the 12th of April. It's a key step to re-establish civilian rule following a coup in August 2023. How significant is this?Also Dutch authorities say one of Europe's most-wanted fugitives has been living in Sierra Leone. Who is he and what do we know so far? And what does the new passport issued by the Alliance of Sahel States mean?Presenter: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp