Benin forces have suffered heavy losses in an attack which the military chief described as 'a heavy blow'. The assault happened at one of Benin's most well-equipped military positions. So who was behind the attack and what does it tell us about Benin's security preparedness? Also in the podcast, after São Tomé and Príncipe's president fired the pri…

What can be done to tackle a water crisis in South Africa's largest city Johannesburg? Can Somalia's army tackle jihadists when peacekeeping forces withdraw?After space debris landed in a Kenyan village we ask : will this become more common? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in Lo…

The M23 rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured the key town of Masisi in the in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, in renewed, intense fighting. Why has there been an upsurge in the the violence and why is seizing control of Masisi so significant? Also in the podcast, why does Nigeria have the highest rates of neonatal ja…

Will increasing tax in South Africa help stop excessive drinking? Why are Nigeria's rice farmers struggling despite government policies to boost local production. And as more athletes break records we ask: just how long will records continue being broken? Presenter :Audrey BrownProducers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in…

55 African airlines have been banned from EU skies after a newly revised blacklist was released. Which airlines are they and why the ban? Also why are some Kenyan farmers resisting government plans to vaccinate their livestock? And the legacy of Dada Masilo, the young South African dancer who died at the age of 39. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers:…

Egypt once had the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world, but has now almost completely wiped out the liver attacking virus in less than 10 years. How did they do that? Could the African mealworm be a solution to tackling plastic waste? Kenyan researchers say the larvae of the darkling beetle species native to Africa can digest plastic in their …

Ivory Coast has confirmed, French troops stationed in the region for decades, will begin withdrawing from Ivorian soil this month. This marks another shift in the growing trend across West Africa, where France is seeing a reduction in their military presence. An analyst explains the genesis of this resentment. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron…

During his first term as US president, Donald Trump had a very limited engagement with Africa, so what will his return to the White House mean for the continent? We hear from a political analyst on the potential opportunities and perils for US-Africa relations. Did you know that drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children a…

South Africa has become a key player in the International drugs trade, that's according to the global crime index. The country has a growing domestic market and now shares trade connections with South America, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia. We'll hear from South African journalist and author Caryn Dolley who has written about how deeply entrenche…

More than 80 people have been abducted over recent weeks in Kenya, sparking a rise in public anger and more protests on the streets. But why are the kidnappings happening and who is being targeted? We talk to our reporter in Nairobi who has been following events. Also in this episode, we hear about the journeys of African migrants from West Africa …

What is “ Ivoirité ” ? We explore this controversial concept and its effects as Ivory Coast prepares for general election in 2025. Also, why women in Morocco are welcoming a review of child custody, divorce, and polygamy law, and why dolls aren’t just dolls- find out how they can affect a child’s behaviour in later life.…

Air Tanzania, has been added to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) list of airlines that have been restricted from operating within the European Union. So what are the shortcomings? We sought answers from an aerospace expert. Did you know that South Africa’s unique succulent plants are under threat from poachers? We have a first-han…

Thousands of Sudanese Christians face Christmas away from home as the Sudan war continues. We hear from one woman who was born into a Muslim family but converted to Christianity, on how her community tries to help those fleeing the war, and how she maintains Christmas traditions despite living in exile in Egypt. We meet one of the young people who …

Dozens of people have died in stampedes to collect Christmas hampers in Nigeria raising concerns about safety at these events. Also in the programme, why South Sudanese civil servants have not been paid their salaries for nearly a year, and what South African shop owners are saying about the government's new regulations to address food poisonings.…

Malawi's government is demanding billions in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone company for rubies exported over the last 10 years. The companies deny the claims The tale of the child bride social media sensation in South Sudan. And a couple share their painful experience with infertility Presenter Audrey BrownProducers: Susan Gach…

Piracy off the coast in Somalia, had cost the global economy around 7 billion US dollars just over a decade ago. Since then, international security patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lane all but eliminated piracy. But in recent months, there’s been a resurgence off the coast of the autonomous region of Puntland. Why is that? Als…

An underfunded and undermanned contingent of 400 Kenyan police are on a mission to quell gangs in Haiti. How are they coping? More Somali migrants stranded in Libya return home. And Algerian Kamel Daoud was recently awarded a top French prize for his novel Houris- why is it banned in Algeria? Presenter: Charles GitongaProducers: Amie Liebowitz in L…

Over a thousand Sierra Leoneans were recently arrested on the streets of Conakry in Guinea and deported. Sierra Leoneans reciprocated with their own deportation of Guineans. This all resulted in a diplomatic spat between the two countries. We'll get the details. Also is Kenya really increasing state surveillance of its citizens? We'll hear governme…

The World Health Organization recently published its first-ever report on drowning prevention. The rates are highest in Africa-with Uganda one of the highest And a Ghanaian shares his close encounter with jihadists in Burkina Faso Are there academies in Nigeria where people are taught online scamming? Presenter : Charles GitongaProducers: Susan Gac…

Residents of Mayotte have spoken of "apocalyptic scenes" caused by the worst storm in 90 years to hit the French Indian Ocean territory. Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but local authorities say that number could rise into thousands. We'll look at the impact. Also a look at the painful legacy of landmines in Africa and why campaigns to end …

Ethiopian authorities have reportedly deported hundreds of Eritreans. Many Eritreans there are refugees who fled forced military conscription and government oppressionWe hear about the lives of Syrians who fled war at home for a new life in SomaliaWhy did China give the least developed countries it has diplomatic ties with tariff free access.? Pres…

Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa's plans to build a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland following talks in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the "historic agreement", which he said would eventually ensure landlocked Ethiopia's access to the sea. How significant is this? Als…

Zambia's constitutional court says former President Lungu is ineligible for re-election. He alleges political interference We'll look at Operation Serengeti, a multinational attempt to stamp out cybercrime Plus, a BBC investigation into how influencers are spreading disinformation on women's health on TikTok Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Victor…

Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso, is visiting Libya, in his capacity as chairman of the African Union's committee on the Libyan crisis. His aim is to get the country's rival governments, led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah in the west and Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east, to the reconciliation table. Does the AU have any influence in L…

After two previous attempts, John Mahama is set to make comeback as Ghana's president. He was the country’s leader from 2012-2016. Ghana’s economy is struggling and corruption endemic. Political analyst Nansata Yakubu explains the huge expectations on a Mahama presidency over the next four years. The menstrual health taboos facing African women ath…

The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet has recently returned from Sudan. It's her second visit to the country since April 2023, when the war broke out between the government army and the paramilitary group, the RSF. Lyse says, the humanitarian sitaution in the country is far worse now than it's ever been. She met and spoke to peopl…

Namibia has elected its first female president, who is she, and what cultural and political obstacles will she need to overcome? How the rape of a woman in Mauritania has sparked national protests and reflection As surrogacy becomes common in Nigeria, there is a new bill to regulate the practice. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers :Bella Hassan, Suni…

Ghanaians are preparing to vote in their presidential election this Saturday. The election is being contested between vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia and former president John Mahama. What are the key issues voters will be focusing on? Also, Sierra Leone's desire to return to being a rice exporter, instead of importing the country's most favourite …

Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village continues to mourn dozens of deaths and cope with injuries one year later on We look at the impact of mercury poisoning caused by illegal mining in southwestern Ghana And how easy is it for you to travel to another African country? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London., C…

US President Biden is in Angola for what is likely to be the final foreign trip of his presidency. It’s his first visit to Sub- Saharan Africa and it's part of a promise the president made, during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, to travel to the continent. But, it comes almost at the end of his tenure, so what does the president's trip to Ang…

Negotiators in the South Korean city of Busan are trying to reach the first ever a global treaty on plastic. How stress from climate change is leading to increased violence against women. And a film maker’s odyssey to preserve the legacy of a local Ugandan photographer. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Rob Wilson, Nour Abida and Nyasha Michelle in…

There are now 35 million people internally displaced across the continent, that's according to a recent report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. That's a threefold increase since 2009, when African governments signed a landmark deal legally binding countries to try and tackle the causes of displacement. So why is there an increase? Al…

Militant Islamists involved in another deadly attack in Nigeria’s Borno State. Why is the army still battling these insurgencies? South Africa opposition parties seek to revive impeachment proceedings against President Ramaphosa Why does President Felix Tshisekedi want to change the Congolese constitution? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Rob Wils…

Namibians will head to the polls on Wednesday in what is expected to be the most competitive election yet for the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed the country since independence. We'll get analysis and hear from young voters. Also young Nigerians caught up in the gold rush in rebel controlled areas in Mali. But do they know that the sale of g…

A court in Zimbabwe recently convicted dozens of opposition politicians belonging to the Citizens Coalition for Change party for holding an illegal gathering. Is the party facing a clamp down from Zanu-PF? How the church is trying to navigate governance challenges for Kenya and Africa Plus, lessons the South African city of Cape Town learned about …

Mali has appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as prime minister a day after firing its previous leader, Choguel Kokalla Maïga and his government. This came after rare criticism by Maïga of the junta. What's really behind the reshuffle? Also did you know that Ethiopia is a major hub for bitcoin mining? And how the world of sport is doing its…

South Africa takes over the G20 presidency from Brazil for a year. Will Africa benefit from this? How organised crime benefits from trafficking electronic waste to Ghana. And Somalia's Finance Minister on the benefits of debt forgiveness. Presenter: Charles GitongaProducers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz, Joseph Keen and …

Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution which called for a ceasefire in Sudan. It was proposed by the UK and Sierra Leone, calling on both sides to immediately halt hostilities and start talks aimed at agreeing a national ceasefire. Why did Russia veto it? Also, the online trend that has Nigerians furiously tapping their phones And the…

Was India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nigeria about lobbying for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council? Why are some young TikTokers in Uganda being jailed? And why thousands of indigenous, sacred baobab trees are under threat in the Limpopo region of South Africa. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers : Sunita Nahar, Susan Gachuhi a…

The Senegalese government has claimed victory in the recent parliamentary elections. It said the ruling party, Pastef, had won with a "large majority". What does the win mean for the country? Also, the cruel sextortion scams in Nigeria. Parents appeal to the criminals following the death of their son And a prize that shines a spotlight on detained …

South African authorities try to force as many as 4,000 illegal miners - known as zama zamas - to return to the surface, by denying them food and water. The miners, who have been stuck underground, fear they will be arrested. Who are they? And could the government's hardline operation be challenged in the courts? What next for Mali - now that the m…

The European Union has announced it will not renew its fishing agreement with Senegal, citing concerns over the country’s efforts to curb illegal fishing. European officials pointed to inadequate monitoring and surveillance systems in Dakar. Without a renewed agreement European vessels will be required to exit Senegalese waters when the deal expire…

As COP 29- the climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan focuses on finance. What is the status of the loss and damage fund?Meanwhile a UN panel in Sudan to investigate possible war crimes in DarfurAnd is Lakurawa really a new jihadist group in Nigeria? How does it operate? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Bella HassanT…

Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, will hold its general election tomorrow. The incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi, is seeking re-election. Somaliland says it would like to be recognised by the international community. Why isn't it recognised and what will the elections mean for the region? Also we'll get reaction as Nigeria allows women f…

The ECOWAS Court recently declared Sierra Leone’s loitering laws discriminatory and ordered their amendment or repeal A BBC investigation sees evidence that devastating flood water in South Sudan is spreading pollution from the oil industry. And why is there a dispute over uranium production in Niger ? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Patricia Whi…

The Mauritian government has ended its recent suspension of social media, which threatened voters’ access to information ahead of the general elections on the 10th of November. Once a proud democracy, how are Mauritians feeling about the upcoming election? Also are more African domestic workers escaping Lebanon, as the war continues? And how did so…

Police in Maputo fire tear gas in a bid to stop opposition protests against the results of last month's disputed election. Mozambique has seen weeks of unrest since the victory by the Frelimo party. The ICC says there has been no payment into a fund for victims of Uganda warlord Dominic Ongwen And why are so many African countries facing foreign cu…

Over 30 children in Nigeria, who were arrested in August after taking part in anti-government demonstrations were detained and charged with treason. Those charges have now been dropped, following outrage in the country. The country's President Bola Tinubu also called for the release of the minors. But why were children detained in the first place? …

After failure to pay civil servants and armed forces for a year-is South Sudan on the verge of becoming a failed state? What do Nigerians make of their former compatriot Kemi Badenoch, who has become the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK And why are Nigeria and South Africa able to export power but can't meet domestic dema…

As piracy returns off the coast of Somalia, we hear from Pakistani and Iranian fishermen who fear being kidnapped. After years of being pushed back, the problem is once again on the rise. Also, find out how Africa's genetic variation could benefit the medical world. And how financial technology is changing business transactions on the African conti…