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BBC World Service

Two 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 Nkechi Ogbonna. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

Focus on Africa

We look at how decades of diamond mining along South Africa's west coast have affected the environment and why the local Nama community says mining companies such as De Beers and state-owned Alexkor haven't done enough to rehabilitate their land.

Also, after Australia banned use of social media for people under the age of 16, we ask whether African countries should come up with such a ban. 

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Carolyne Mwangi 
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

South Africa's Nama people want mines rehabilitated

Weight-loss injections have become a major talking point, from Hollywood celebrities to TikTok influencers.

Originally developed to treat diabetes, these medications were later found to help people shed a lot of weight - a discovery that has rapidly expanded their global use. The World Health Organization has now released its first-ever guidance on prescribing them for obesity.

South Africa recently became the first country in Africa to formally approve one version of these drugs for weight loss, and access is slowly spreading across the continent.

We follow a Kenyan woman’s experience using the injections and we hear from a South African doctor who explains how they work - and what the latest medical research reveals so far.

Are weight-loss drugs a magic bullet?

Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group says it has captured Uvira town near DR Congo's southeastern border with Burundi. This comes after US President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between DR Congolese leader Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda in Washington DC last week. We look at what the renewed fighting means for DR Congo and the peace agreement.

Also, a housing deficit poses a threat to Africa's young people with increased difficulty in renting or acquiring homes. Where will Africa's youth live? 

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya and Madina Maishanu
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

DRC rebels take town despite Trump deal

In Tanzania, Independence Day protests stall following stern government warnings but questions over the country's human rights record remain.
 
And also, tragedy in an attempt to strike gold. We hear how unregulated and risky gold mines are cutting short the lives of school-going teenagers in Sierra Leone.
 
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Daniel Dadzie
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Tanzania crackdown on planned protests

The US is prioritising asylum applications from white farmers in South Africa where it says there’s a 'genocide' against them, despite the claims being widely discredited. A BBC Africa Eye team spoke to some white Afrikaner farmers and black farmers to gain insight about the situation. 

Also, a conversation on vaginal wellness. We find out some of the most common products and practices that experts say could be harmful.

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

BBC investigates ‘white genocide’ in South Africa

What does the coup attempt in Benin mean for the West African nation and its citizens? President Patrice Talon has assured the nation that things are 'under control' after the government thwarted Sunday's military takeover. About a dozen soldiers believed to be the leaders of the mutiny have been arrested. 
Also, did you know dog meat is a staple in some parts of Nigeria, Africa's biggest population? We take you inside one of the largest dog meat markets in the country. 

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya 
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

What next after coup attempt in Benin?

What does it feel like when your photos are taken, manipulated and shared online without your consent? 
That’s the reality for 23-year-old Debra Nashipae, a Kenyan student and aspiring musician whose images were turned into deepfake pornography – a form of digital abuse that experts say is increasing rapidly.
According to UN Women, 90–95% of all deepfakes online are non-consensual pornographic images, and around 90% of those depict women. Their report also highlights that half of the world’s women and girls lack legal protection against this kind of digital violence.
In this episode of Focus on Africa: The Conversation, host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Debra about her experience, along with her lawyer, Mercy Mutemi, who is advocating for justice and better protection of digital rights.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo, Fana Weldye, Waihiga Mwaura, Ly Truong 
Technical Producers: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull 
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

'My photos became deepfake porn'

Zambian-American influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards, also known as 'One Boss Lady', has been a vocal critic of Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema. She was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, two controversial laws that were recently amended to stipulate harsher penalties. The case has raised concerns about freedom of speech in Zambia.

Also, did you know that the trafficking and sale of ants is on the rise? We look at the impact of this illegal phenomenon on the environment.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Ly Truong and Makuochi Okafor 
Technical Producers: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Zambian influencer imprisoned for hate speech

Nigeria: A deep dive into the spike in school mass abductions by armed groups in northern Nigeria. We hear from the parents of some of the victims and ask: Who is behind the kidnappings and what's the government doing about it?

And how are mental health institutions perceived in Africa? We speak to someone in Uganda about their mental health journey and experience at the country's main referral facility.

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Ly Truong 
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi and Philip Bull 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Nigeria's kidnapping crisis leaves parents scarred

A rare conversation with Egypt's Foreign Minister about the Sudan War and the tensions with Ethiopia over the river Nile, and Focus on Africa moves its hub from London to Nairobi.
Egypt's Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty has denied that his country is supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces in the war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. He also spoke about tensions with Ethiopia after the collapse of talks over use of the waters of River Nile.

And after more than six decades of broadcasting from London, Focus on Africa has just arrived in its new home, Nairobi.

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Ly Truong 
Technical Producer: Philip Bull 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

What next after coup attempt in Benin?

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