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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

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 athletes

And the flaw with Africa’s big infrastructure finance models.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida and Amie Liebowitz in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga 
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ghana elections: How Mahama made a comeback

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?

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 Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver and Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Zambia's Lungu banned from presidential run

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?

Also what's keeping protestors on the streets of Mozambique? 

And a look at the complicated relationship between South Africa and Nigeria.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Rob Wilson and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba is in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Fran Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ethiopia and Somalia to end dispute

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

Presenter Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne.

Why is Ethiopia deporting hundreds of Eritreans?

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 their use is always welcome

And the life and times of a political cartoonist. We'll hear from South Africa's Zapiro and Kenya's Maddo!

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Phillip Bull
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The impact of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte

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 Gitonga
Producers: Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Amie Liebowitz in London.
Senior producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why are drowning rates worrying Uganda?

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 government response to these claims

And a fresh start for Mali as production begins at the largest non-exploited lithium mine in the world!

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Frenny Jowi and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi and Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Mass deportation of Sierra Leoneans from Guinea

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 Gitonga
Producers: Amie Liebowitz in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Are Kenyan police managing the Haiti crisis?

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? 

Also, what's behind the fire at the parliamentary buildings in Liberia? 

And why Nigerians are not all that happy about "Detty December"? 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. 
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Ghana elections: How Mahama made a comeback

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