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BBC World Service


Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.


Focus on Africa

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.

Bonus: Death in Dubai from World of Secrets

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.

Nigeria's presidential pardons spark controversy

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

What led to the downfall of Madagascar's president

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

Cape Verde’s football team make history

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

Militants' blockade paralyses Mali-Senegal trade corridor

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: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Tanya Hines
Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Madagascar: President asks for year to resolve problems

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 and Bella Hassan
Senior producer: Sunita Nahar 
Technical Producer: Nick Randell 
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Eswatini accepts 10 US deportees

A Sudanese militia leader has been found guilty of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region more than 20 years ago. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court for the atrocities in Darfur. We get analysis.

Also, what's Africa's reaction to the appointment of the Anglican church's first female Archbishop of Canterbury?

And why are Egyptian children being arrested for online gaming?

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Tanya Hines, Stefania Okereke, Mark Wilberforce and Saleck Zeid in London
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Darfur: Militia leader convicted of war crimes

Nearly a decade ago in Ghana, 15-year-old Kevin Moses died at Achimota High School. In a landmark ruling last year, Ghana’s High Court found the school negligent for Kevin's death. The school has appealed that decision. Between May 2023 and February 2024, six students died while in boarding school. Why are children dying in schools in Ghana? 

Also, we hear differing views on what caused the recent floods in Sudan. 

And how Nigeria's Green Falcons could become the first African team to qualify for the Women's Rugby League World Cup?

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Piers Edwards and Stefania Okereke in London
Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons 
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ghana: Why are children dying in boarding schools?

In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Waihiga Mwaura, Botswana's President Duma Boko, outlines his plan to reduce his country's reliance on the diamond industry amid falling global demand, and how he is pushing for a 0% tariff deal with the US.

Guinea is showing signs of economic progress under the military-led regime. What is driving the country's economic growth?

And more than 200 million people worldwide are infected by schistosomiasis - also known as bilharzia - which is a disease caused by parasitic worms. The majority of those affected live in sub-Saharan Africa. How can the disease be prevented?

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Stefania Okereke in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can Botswana continue to depend on its diamond industry?

A leading critic of Chad's military leader, Mahamat Déby, has been killed in a shootout with security forces, that's according to officials Yaya Dillo's death comes after the government blamed him for a deadly attack on the country's security agency. He had denied the accusation. Several others were killed following that attack. What's going on?

Also, fresh calls for a proper investigation into the killing of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru and a letter to King Charles.

And a Cameroonian student who fled Ukraine tells us what life is like for him, two years after the conflict began.

Chad: What's going on and what next?

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