Africa Today

Amnesty International is calling on Egypt to stop arresting Sudanese people seeking refuge from war. The human rights watchdog says Egypt must also stop sending refugees back to Sudan. Our correspondent in Cairo tells us how these refugees are perceived and treated.Also why is violence once again on the rise in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province?And how did Famo, a genre of music in Lesotho, came to be associated with gang violence?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorn and Nyasha Michelle Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer

Kenya's government has bowed to public pressure and scrapped plans to introduce new taxes on items like bread and motor vehicles. Why were Kenyans so angry with the tax increments? Ethiopia one of sub-Saharan Africa's major economies, opens up its banking sector to foreign investors. What will it mean for the country? And why is Sierra Leone considering updating its child protection laws?

Female students at the University of Juba in South Sudan say, they were arrested and beaten by police following a protest against a rise in hostel fees.  It's caused concern amongst civil society groups in the country.  We'll hear reaction from Jackline Nasiwa, a human rights defender and director of Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice in South Sudan.Also a task team in Sierra Leone finds that the addictive drug Kush is one hundred times more potent than heroinAnd can AI help farmers on the continent with pest control? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Frenny Jowi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Nigeria, a nation once notorious for military rule, is marking 25 years of democracy, at a time when several of its West African neighbours have had coups in recent years. But as many Nigerians struggle to earn enough to live on, amid an economic crisis and dramatically rising prices, some appear to be very unhappy with how they are being governed. So, is democracy working in Nigeria? Also, why are young people being targeted to smoke e-cigarettes?And we'll learn more about the social media influencer from Kenya, spreading disinformation about climate change.Presenter:Charles Gitonga Technical Producer:Nick Randell Producers: Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The United States' envoy to Sudan has warned that the fall of the besieged city of el-Fasher in western Darfur, is imminent. It's the only city still under army control in the region. What happens if the city falls? And what will the wider impact be?Also Malawi mourns the death of its Vice President and 9 other passengers folliwng an airplane crash, we'll find out more about Mr Chilima, the man and the politician.And have you ever heard of the condition gynaecomastia? We'll hear a personal testimony.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorne and Frenny Jowi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Several hundred people are jailed in Tunisia just for writing bad cheques. Human rights campaigners are calling for Tunisia to replace this system with alternatives to prison for repaying debt.A look at the worsening relations between West African neighbours Niger and Benin.Plus, an initiative to close down orphanages in a bid to end child exploitation.

Millions of children in northern Nigeria are without sufficient food, that's according to the aid agency, MSF. The persistent malnutrition crisis in the region, MSF says, stems from inflation, security issues and insufficient healthcare infrastructure. We'll hear from Dr Simba Tirima in Maiduguri.Also its almost 10 years since so-called Islamic State declared a caliphate. What's been their influence in Africa?And the growing interest of Formula 1 on the continent. Any chance of an African Grand Prix? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Emmanuela Alausa and Yvette Twagiramariya Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Somalia was recently elected by the United Nations General Assembly to be a member of the 15 member U.N.Security Council. This is for a two-year term starting next year. What does Somalia bring to the top table at the UN?Also, how huge quantities of gold are being smuggled out of AfricaAnd we meet the Ghanaian dance duo Afronita and Abigail who wowed a talent show in Britain.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Daniel Dadzie, Emmanuella Alausa and Nyasha Michelle Senior Producers: Karnie Sharp and Paul Bakibinga Editors : Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The Focus on Africa Podcast turns 1. On this special edition, we look back at the year that's been. We re-visit kidnappings in Nigeria, we head back to the Seychelles where an opposition leader was accused of witchcraft and remember the challenges and opportunities of being a first-born daughter.Presenters: Richard Kagoe and Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle, Daniel Dadzie, Patricia Whitehorne, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar, Lola Schroer, Amie Liebowitz, Nour Abida and Tom Kavanagh in London. Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi, Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos Senior Journalists: Karnie Sharp and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Russia and Sudan have formally agreed to set up what they call " a logistical support point on the Red Sea". It will be Russia's first naval base in Africa.  Why does Russia need a naval base close to the Red Sea?Also, a jail term for Senegalese citizens for criticising Prime Minister Sonko on gay rights.  What's going on?  And we'll find out more about what's it like living with endometriosis, after the popular Kenyan DJ Jahmby Koikai died from the disease. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Joseph Keen Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov is back in Africa having visited the continent several times in the past couple of years. What is Russia looking for in these frequent visits to the continent? And can it help with Libya?Also, how internet scams in Nigeria are impacting the lives of teenagers in different parts of the worldAnd why Madagascans are unhappy about internet access in their country.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Kaine Pieri and Joseph Keen Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The first-ever summit of African leaders and South Korea is underway in Seoul. South Korea has promised to boost development aid for Africa by up to $10 billion over the next six years. The country also aims to tap into Africa's rich mineral resources. How else can Africa benefit from this new forged relationship with South Korea? Also the UN warns that millions of people in Sudan are at risk of malnutrition and starvationAnd new initiatives on tackling bullying, are being discussed and planned in schools on the continent. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Charles Gitonga, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Emmanuella Aluasa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Following last week's elections, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, has lost its majority. The ANC now needs a coalition partner to ally with. It's begun closed-door negotiations with its political opponents, but who will it choose and why?Also Nigeria's public workers begin an indefinite nationwide strike following failed negotiations with the governmentAnd have you heard of 'adaptive' clothing? It's a new much needed fashion trend, helping people with disabilities to shop with ease.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers; Rob Wilson, Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The United States has sanctioned Uganda’s parliament speaker, her husband and others over corruption and rights abuses, but will the imposed restrictions have a wider impact?After the mysterious disappearance of a Zambia parliamentarian who was later found, opposition politicians fear the country’s democracy is under threat.And why is there a power tussle between the Cameroon government and the national football federation over who should be head coach of the national team - the Indomitable Lions.

It's one year since Bola Tinubu became Nigeria’s President. Mr Tinubu assumed office during a time of unprecedented challenges for Africa’s most populous country. How are Nigerian's feeling about his promise of a "renewed hope"? Somalia is the only sub-Saharan country to carry out the death penalty, where according to Amnesty International executions are on the rise. What's the attitude towards the death penalty there?And Zimbabwe re-launches it's national youth programme, which aims at equipping young people with life skills. What do young Zimbabweans think? Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Patricia Whitehorne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Phillip Bull Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The military junta in Burkina Faso extends its military rule for another five years. So does this mean it is consolidating its power?There have been chaotic scenes in Sierra Leone during the Bar Association’s ballot for a powerful executive, deeply steeped in the country’s politics, and Gen Z’s desire for promotion in the South African workplace – what are employers doing to accommodate them?

It's getting easier to access illegal arms in Kenya which has led to the rise in violent crime, especially in more deprived areas. What's fuelling the rise in gun crime? Also, why is Ghana turning to nuclear power?And a documentary explores the reality African students face when they choose to study abroad.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Rob Wilson Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Kenya has been designated the status of non-NATO ally by the US President Joe Biden, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to receive that designation. Learn what it means for Kenya and more widely for Africa.How an initiative in West Africa is improving accountability and transparency in the extraction sector, and a Namibian activist who is advocating for the end of fossil fuels in Africa.

The besieged city of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region, is facing a growing risk of genocide as the world's attention is focused on other conflicts, that's the warning from a United Nations expert. Alice Wairimu Nderitu told the BBC, many civilians have been targeted based on their ethnicity in El-Fasher, where fierce fighting has intensified in recent days. What constitutes a genocide?Also why some of the main political parties in South Africa have raised concern about the rise in illegal immigration ahead of the general electionsAnd we meet 18 year old Helms Ategeka from Uganda who has broken the internet after being accepted into over 120 colleges in the United States! Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producer: Frenny Jowi, Toda Opeyemi, Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar. Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Technical Producer: Daniela Victoria Varela Hernandez Editors are Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The first batch of genetically modified mosquitoes is being released in Djibouti in a bid to stop the spread of malaria carrying vectors that bite during the day and thrive in urban areas. How does this work?Also, an overview of South Africa's 'historic' elections.   Who are the main parties and what are the issues? And scientists trace the origins of one of Africa's most iconic trees, the baobab tree, to Madagascar.  Why are they in decline on the Island? Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Frenny Jowi, Rob Wilson and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Daniela Victoria Varela Hernandez Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard