Africa Today

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

Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. Human rights groups welcomed the decision as a major step in protecting the right to a fair trial, but the government criticized the move. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said his government would continue to prosecute civilians in military tribunals, despite the ruling. We hear analysis of this.Also the government in Botswana has struck a new deal with the diamond mining giant De Beers. What's the deal and how does Botswana benefit?And Langa, the old game from Nigeria, gets a new lease of life!Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

President Donald Trump has said he will cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that it was confiscating land. South Africa's President Ramaphosa says that is not true.Concerns that the conflict in eastern DR Congo could spread deadly diseases.And what is are the reasons behind Namibia's high unemployment. Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Victor Sylver and Nyasha Michelle in London. Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Who is Osama Najim, the Libyan suspect wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes?What is the reason behind the high-level diplomatic spat between Rwanda and South Africa over the fighting in DR Congo?Plus, why Kenya is putting its nuclear program on holdPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz and Yvette Twagiramariya in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Editors. Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) model called DeepSeek is stunning investors and sinking some tech stocks. It's also quickly impressing AI experts and has the attention of the entire tech industry and the world. How does it work and has it inspired Africa or not?Also, why does Namibia have some of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world?And the race to host Formula One on the continent. Who will win? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

There are concerns that an international US foreign aid cut will reverse gains, especially in the fight against HIVWho are the M23 - the group operating in eastern DR Congo?And how a non-alcoholic bar in Ghana is challenging the drinking culturePresenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A group of prominent Zimbabwean war veterans, including a senior figure from the ruling Zanu PF party, have issued a rare rebuke against the country's president Emerson Mnangagwa. They've accused him of seeking to violate the country's constitution by pushing for a third term in office. What does this mean and how significant is this?Also, we return to the story of the Malawian women facing abuse as domestic workers in Oman.And who are the Lukurawa and why have they been designated a terrorist group? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle in London and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Rwandan-backed rebels have taken over most of the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo. There are reports of Congolese and Rwandan troops exchanging fire across the border. Calls for European Union member countries to respect the human rights of migrants in North Africa. Plus, we remember one of the forgotten black victims of the Holocaust.Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers : Yvette Twagiramariya , Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London.  Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jack Graysmark Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

The UN refugee agency says more than 200,000 Sudanese have arrived in Libya since the start of the war. Women are amongst those hoping to find a better life there. Instead, the women say they have faced abuse and raped. Five women have told the BBC they were tortured and sexually abused in "rape rooms", and worse, children have not been spared. Also, why are children not going to school in Nigeria? The country has some of the largest numbers of children out of school in the world. Why is that?And is smoking tobacco really in decline in South Africa? It was amongst the first countries in the world to heavily tax tobacco and introduce controls to rein in smoking in the early 90s.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michella and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Nigeria's telecoms regulator has approved a tariff hike by operators-customers are groaning.   A year after ground-breaking malaria vaccination campaigns were launched in Africa-we assess the progress.   And why is Benin granting citizenship to descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade?   Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Blessing Aderogba. Yvette Twagiramariya and Blessing Hassan Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can Mozambique’s newly sworn in President Daniel Chapo and the main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, put their differences aside for the benefit of the country’s future? The United Nations estimates that more than 50m children globally do not have birth certificates – and most of those children live in Africa. Why does having a birth certificate matter? And a special memorial has been unveiled in South Africa to remember the black soldiers who took part in the first World War.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Nyasha Michelle and Victor Sylver in London. Frenny Jowi was in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi