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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

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?

Violent clashes, arrests and deaths during Morocco’s GenZ 212 protests

Why Senegal's fishermen are blaming a BP natural gas project for lack of fish

And Nigeria's First Lady raises $13million for national library – but why has it taken so long?

Presenter : Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan and Joseph Keen in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Lagos. 
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Morocco's Gen Z protests rise and spread

The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo is sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, treason and backing the Rwandan-supported M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The court has ordered his arrest, but his whereabouts remain unknown We look at the man and his life.

Also in the programme: Officials in Namibia have deployed hundreds of soldiers to battle a fire that has ravaged a third of the key nature reserve, Etosha National Park.

And we speak to a woman who suffered a heart attack, and we find how such attacks can be prevented.

Presenter Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce and Ayub Ilia
Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar 
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ex-DRC president sentenced to death

AGOA: Why is a vital US-Africa trade deal set to expire? And why will women be more affected?

Oil workers go on strike at Dangote Refinery in Nigeria following dismissal of hundreds of staff.

And professional boxing suspended in Ghana following the death of two boxers in 6 months.

Presenter Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Tanya Hines, Joseph Keen ,Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

AGOA: US-Africa trade deal set to expire

Authorities in Madagascar impose a curfew in the capital, Antananarivo, after protests over frequent power and water shortages turn violent. As the police continue to patrol the streets, we ask whether the government has improved conditions in the country?

Also in the programme: The Island of Seychelles, one of the richest countries in Africa, holds a re-run of the presidential elections after the first secured no outright winner.

And two years on from the earthquake in Morocco, what kind of support have survivors received from the government?

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan, Jewel Kiriungi, Joseph Keen 
Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar 
Technical Producer: Philip Bull 
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Why is Gen Z protesting in Madagascar?

Malawi re-elects former President Peter Mutharika. At 85. How did he beat other contenders?

What's life like in Bunagana town along Uganda's recently reopened border with rebel held eastern DR Congo

Nigerian women push for more female MPs. Does reserving seats for women in parliament help ? 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga 
Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Who is Malawi's old next President?

A new HIV prevention drug will be made available at a lower cost in over 100 low-income countries within two years, including across Africa. It's a move expected to give millions access to the breakthrough treatment and potentially bring the world closer to ending the HIV/Aids epidemic. So, how affordable and effective is it? 

Also, Zimbabwe continues on a quest to become Africa’s blueberry capital after recently signing a tariff free export agreement with China, one of the largest consumers of the fruit. What impact will it have on the country? 

And why students in Europe are learning Hausa, a language spoken by millions of people in West Africa

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Patrcia Whitehorne in London. Madina Maishanu in Abuja.
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa 
Senior Journalists: Sunita Nahar and Karnie Sharp 
Editors: Andre Lombard, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

A landmark deal for HIV jab

UNGA: More than 150 member states recognise the State of Palestine-Cameroon and Eritrea will not.

South Africa's police discover illicit drugs worth $20 million on a farm.

Plus, we discover the nutritional benefits of eating dried fish.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Makuochi Okafor, Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London. 
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Andre Lombard, Maryam Abdalla, Samuel Murunga and Alice Muthengi

The two African countries which don’t recognise Palestine

A group of deportees from the US have sued the Ghanaian government, alleging they've been detained illegally. We talk to the lawyer representing these deportees and ask what legal framework underpins this US-Ghana deportation deal? And how does this situation tests the principles of human rights? 

Also in the programme: The BBC has managed to get rare access into Sudan's oil-rich Kordofan region, which has turned into a major front line in the war between the army and rival paramilitary forces. We hear about the people caught up in the fighting.

And a 3000-year-old bracelet has been stolen and melted down in Egypt, raising questions about how the country protects its artefacts.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers : Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorse and Makouchi Okafor 
Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar 
Technical producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

US deportees to sue Ghana's government

Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbe’s sister-in-law, who’s also the ex Defence Minister, has been arrested after calling for end to family rule.

How aid cuts and crocodile attacks are contributing to malnutrition in northern Kenya.

And why do Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso apparently want to leave the International Criminal Court?

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers : Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in London. Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. 
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Jack Graysmark.
Editors: Andre Lombard, Samuel Murunga, Maryam Abdalla and Alice Muthengi

Togo: Ex Defence Minister arrested

We discuss the living legacy of Ghanaian author and champion of women's rights Ama Ata Aidoo, who died recently at the age of 81 with journalist Dr Sharihan Al-Akhras. 

Also in the pod: we discuss with journalist Mark Lobel the story of a young man who was trafficked to London for an illegal organ donation operation.

And Serge Stroobants, from the Institute for Economics and Peace's tells us why 2022 was the "worst year in conflict, this century".

Championing African feminism

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