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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

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has sacked his Second Vice-President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, who was seen as a possible successor. So with First Vice-President Riek Machar under house arrest charged with treason, how will this latest move by the president affect political stability in the country?

Africa finally has its own drug-regulation body following the launch of the African Medicines Agency (AMA). Will it help to transform healthcare systems on the continent?

And how much is it costing Angola to have Argentine international football star, Lionel Messi, take part in a friendly match celebrating the country's 50 years of independence?

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Piers Edwards and Elphas Lagat
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Technical Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Sudan: Why was a powerful vice-president fired?

Wife and son of Gabon's ousted leader get 20-year jail terms in two-day corruption trial.

Mauritania's president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Al-Ghazouani, recently sacked some senior government officials. Can he win the fight against corruption?

And Zambia's ambitious plans to diversify from minerals to agriculture and livestock by 2030

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Joseph Keen , Saleck Zeid and Elphas Lagat.
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Technical Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Gabon's ex first lady and son get sentenced

Can new tougher measures announced by Sierra Leone's President Bio really be effective in combating kush, the illegal psychoactive blend of addictive substances that is devastating the country.

What caused the fatal helicopter crash in Ghana that killed eight people, including two high profile government ministers?

And why has Senegal dismissed the IMF’s debt restructure plan as "a disgrace"?

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Joseph Keen and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sierra Leone steps up fight against kush

Can Mali's military junta maintain its hold on power despite a jihadist blockade?
 
What role are mercenaries playing in Africa's current conflicts.
 
And the genesis of a new type of Algerian rai protest music known as "Way Way"
 
 
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce in London with, Madina Maishanu in Abuja.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can Mali's Junta withstand a jihadist blockade?

The South African city of Johannesburg has well over 100 abandoned and derelict buildings plagued by rubbish and open sewage and some have been taken over by criminal gangs. Many are also home to some of the city's most vulnerable residents. As Johannesburg gears up to host leaders from the world's major economies for the G20 summit, what is being done to address the issue of 'hijacked' buildings? BBC Africa Eye has been there to investigate, and we hear more from their reporter. 

For nearly five years, Burundians have endured crippling shortages of fuel, electricity, and clean water. What is behind the triple crisis that is paralysing most of the country?

And why have protesters targeted the new multi-million dollar Museum of West African Art in Nigeria, forcing organisers to cancel preview events ahead of its grand opening.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar, and Alfonso Daniels in London
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Can Johannesburg reclaim 'hijacked' buildings?

What can Africa expect from the COP 30 climate conference?
 
Sudan's paramilitary RSF agrees to a humanitarian ceasefire, but the government wants guarantees from the international community
 
And why are marginalised cultures being celebrated during Fashion Week in Namibia?
 
Presenter: Audrey Brown
 
Producers: Tanya Hines and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Todah Opeyemi is in Lagos and Madina Maisanu in Abuja
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

What will COP30 change for Africa?

Nigeria rejects claims of a “Christian genocide,” saying violence stems from terrorism and land disputes, not religion, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks. Some Christian leaders however say there have been instances of Christians being specifically targeted.

Also in the programme: Malaria elimination is stalling in southern Africa as cases rise due to climate change, resistance, and reduced funding.
 
And Ghana is sending relief packages to Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. It's more than relief, it's reinforcing historical and cultural connections between the two countries.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce in London
Senior Producer: Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Nigeria pushes back on 'Christian genocide' claims

The arrest of senior Nigerian military officers and the sacking of security officials fuels speculation of an alleged coup

Ugandan born Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election

Plus the AI aunty helping to fight gender based violence.

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Mark Wilberforce in London. 
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga 
Technical Producer Craig Kingham . 
Editors Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Nigeria : Was there an alleged coup plot?

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in after the deadly protests that followed her election victory. Can she use her second term to unite the country?
 
At least 40 people have died in multiple landslides that struck Kenya and Uganda's mountainous border region in the Great Rift Valley. What makes that belt susceptible to such calamitous events and are they happening more frequently?
 
And after two decades and an estimated cost of nearly $1bn, Egypt’s Grand Museum has opened its doors. One of the most anticipated exhibits is the tomb of Tutankhamun which is displayed in full for first time. But who was the young pharaoh, often referred to as the ‘boy king’?

Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce, and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

After the oath, can Tanzania heal its divisions?

Authorities in Kenya intercept more than a tonne of methamphetamine in the Indian Ocean as part of the country's ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking and addiction 

Thousands of Tunisians protest in the southern city of Gabes, calling for a chemical plant to be shut down because they say it's ruining their children's health

And three Sudanese football clubs are hoping to find refuge in Rwanda from the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Fierce rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, as well as Al-Ahli Wad Madani have been welcomed into the Rwandan league this season, a move that the Sudanese clubs say will keep their players active and their fans hopeful

Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Alex Lathbridge, and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons 
Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar 
Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

Kenyan authorities seize a tonne of methamphetamine

Somalia's ambassador to the United Nations recently accused Ethiopian troops of making illegal incursions across their shared border. Relations between the two countries have continued to decline ever since Ethiopia signed a non-binding agreement with the breakaway Republic of Somaliland earlier this year. 

Why Africans continue to pay a high price for denied visas into Europe.

And how floating solar panels can help Africa become more energy sufficient. 

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Susan Gachuhi, Frenny Jowi, Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Patricia Whitehorne.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga 
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia are showing no signs of easing

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