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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

Civil organisations in Mozambique say at least 120 children have been kidnapped by insurgents in the north of the country. The Human Rights Watch group warn of a rise in abductions in the country's troubled nothern province of Cabo Delgado. The children are reportedly being used by Al-Shabab, an insurgent group linked to the so-called Islamic State, to transport looted goods, cheap labour and in some cases as child soldiers. We'll hear from someone closely monitoring the kidnappings.

Also, are there increased US bombings against targets in Somalia since Donald Trump became president?

And we meet Cathy Dreyer, the first female ranger to head up the team at the Kruger National Park in South Africa!

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Alfonso Daniels and Nyasha Michelle
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

A rise in child abductions in Mozambique

A new bout of intercommunal violence in Chad, has left more than 40 people dead, according to the Chadian Government. This includes women and children. What's behind the recent rise in violence?

Also, the border town of Zalambesa re-opened after years of tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Will it stay that way? 

And we discuss the mixed reviews of Tyler Perry's latest movie, Straw. 

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Joseph Keen, Nyasha Michelle, Alfonso Daniels and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Chad: A rise in intercommunal violence

More than 200 gunmen on motorbikes recently attacked a Niger army base leaving at least 34 soldiers dead. Meanwhile dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in another attack in the region. Why is western Niger vulnerable to attacks by militant Islamists?

Concerns after Sudan orders universities in Khartoum to reopen

And how Nelson Mandela used sport to help transform South Africa, 30 years on from the Springboks victory in the Rugby World Cup. 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers:: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, and Yvette Twagiramariya in London, with Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Jack Graysmark
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Jihadists strike military base in Niger

The South African city of Cape Town is one of the wealthiest cities in Africa, but it's also one of the most unequal. The city has now become the country's gang capital with more than a hundred gangs fighting for control of the lucrative drugs trade. We hear from a local journalist who grew up near one of the most volatile communities in the country, Hanover Park. 

Also, why the UNESCO protected town of Djenne in Mali is becoming a burden for locals.

And the African diaspora community wanting to lay claim to a tiny piece of land, tucked betweeen Sudan and Egypt.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Amie Liebowitz, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London, with Richard Kagoe in Nairobi. 
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Inside Cape Town's gang wars

There is a glimmer of hope that three decades of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo could end after the government agreed a draft peace deal with Rwanda, a country accused of funding the M23, a group that has taken over some significant towns in the east of DRC. Representatives of the two countries will formally sign the agreement next week. But will this deal brokered by the United States work where others have failed?

Also, Egypt scrambles for gas supplies after Israel's oil refineries are struck by Iranian strikes and we examine whether other countries in Africa have been affected too.

And a bra-scandal: why female staff members at a university in Nigeria were touching the breasts of students before allowing them to take an exam.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Sunita Nahar 
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

How different will the Rwanda-DRC peace deal be?

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to the wave of killings in Benue state. It's believed that more than 200 people were killed in attacks across various communities. What's behind the increase in violence?

Also, a young man from the DRC is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Who was he and what did he do to achieve this?

And we discuss the state of the book industry on the continent, following the first ever UNESCO report on the issue, with one of the authors of the report, Elitha van der Sandt and the internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Lola Shoneyin.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Wedaeli Chibelushi
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Nigeria: What's behind Benue state attacks?

The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon is severely impacting education. With widespread school closures and displacement of teachers and students. Over 200,000 students are reportedly out of school.

Is China’s recent offer to extend zero-tariff treatment to almost all African countries a reason to celebrate?

And why Kenyan smallholder farmers went to court to fight for the right to sell indigenous seeds.

Presenter:: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

How Cameroon's Anglophone Crisis affects education

Zambia's former president, Edgar Lungu, reportedly left instructions that his political rival and current president Hakainde Hichilema "should not come anywhere near his body". Edgar Lungu died on the 5th of June and ever since, his family and the Zambian government have been locked in a tussle over his funeral. However, following days of negotiations, arrangements for his burial have now been finalised. This isn't the first time Zambia has experienced burial disputes for deceased former heads of state, including for its independence president, Kenneth Kaunda. Is there no legislation to guide these eventualities? Lawyer John Sangwa provides the answers.

Also, why there is a petition to ban pit bull dogs in Zimbabwe? 

And, as one the art world's leading figures, Cameroonian artist, Koyo Kouoh is buried, we explore the legacy she leaves behind.
*CORRECTION: Tribute to Koyo was read by Ami Waickanee and not by Otobong Nkanga.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Tom Kavanagh and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Why did funeral plans for Zambia's ex-president Lungu cause a row?

Poor resources, fears of crime and gang violence in townships on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa force some parents to send children on long daily commutes to former white-only schools.

 Nigeria's president pardons the late ‘Ogoni 9' activists 30 years after their execution. Why is the pardon being rejected?

And coming to you soon the game on reclaiming looted African treasures

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa’s township parents 'forced' to seek former white-only schools

The first group of South African soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrive back in the country today. South Africa sent around one thousand five hundred troops to the DRC as part of a wider peacekeeping mission. In February, at least fourteen soldiers were killed during heavy clashes with the M23, a group fighting against the national government led by President Felix Tishekedi. At home in South Africa there has been public debate about the need for this deployment. Richard discusses the delayed end of mission amid reports of low morale and poor conditions in DRC with the BBC’s reporter, Nomsa Maseko. 

Also, Ghana makes significant progress in reducing child labour

And does FIFA's expanded Club World Cup offer fresh opportunities to Africa's football clubs or not? 

Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Are South African troops ‘stuck’ in DRC?

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 Libya?

Also why are young women in Kenya opting for irreversible surgery as a means of contraception? 

And a new regulation in Spain giving migrant workers a chance to get their papers in order. Is it good news for all migrants? 

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi. Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall 
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can the AU have influence in Libya?

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