Africa Today

It's three months since the coup in Niger, when Mohamed Bazoum was forced from office. Sanctions have been imposed by ECOWAS and the AU. In an interview with the BBC, the prime minister of Niger’s ruling military junta, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine says, Niger is being treated unfairly. Also Sudan's warring parties resume talks in Saudi Arabia. Can they agree on a ceasefire? And we'll meet Ghanaian musician and Kologo player, Stevo Atambire.

Zimbabweans are facing another major cholera outbreak. Just over a hundred people have died with around five thousand infected. We look at the many challenges faced by the country as it tries to deal with the current situation.Also two young Tanzanians are still missing in Israel following the attack by the militant group Hamas almost three weeks ago. The father of one of them, 21 year old Joshua Loitu, has been speaking of his anguish in not knowing where his son is.And why is Ghana at risk of losing state properties in London?

UAE firm DP World has signed a deal with Tanzania to manage two thirds of Dar-es-Salaam port for the next 30 years. The issue has provoked protests in Tanzania. The UAE is the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the US. The opposition criticised the deal when details first emerged in July, saying it violated Tanzania's constitution.Will the war between Israel and Hamas affect relations between Israel and its newest African ally Morocco?And we meet the Kenyan designer from the slums who dressed Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.

Sierra Leone’s APC opposition party has ended its boycott of parliament. The action had begun after June's presidential election, which the party decried as fraudulent. The All People’s Congress has now agreed to take up its seats in parliament.We hear from a Nigerian pilgrim who escaped from Israel after the conflict there flared up earlier this month.Plus Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Mr Eazi talks to us about his latest collaborative offer.

As China marks the tenth anniversary of its Belt and Road initiative in Beijing, we look at benefits for African countries. What are the continent's losses and gains from working with China?Also Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed has again said, his country needs its own seaport. Ethiopia is landlocked. So what would he need to do, to make that possible and at what cost?And how Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum went from running in borrowed shoes...to breaking world records.

Mozambique's opposition staged demonstrations nationwide to denounce fraud in local elections. The vote is seen as an indicator of what to expect in next year’s presidential election in the country that is rich in natural gas.   The history behind South Africa's complex and complicated relationship between Israel and Palestine   Plus, we meet the Ghanaian woman, Valarie Labi, who makes locally produced e-bikes to ease transport for women entrepreneurs in the north

Thousands of people in Ghana's Volta region have been displaced following spillage of excess water from some of the major dams amid heavy rains. It's the worst floods the region has seen in years. Also, Angolan TikTok influencer Neth Nahara, whose real name is Ana da Silva Miguel is in jail for "outrage" against Angola's president. Is this part of a wider crackdown on free speech on social media? And we'll meet Madagascan scientist, Lova marlin, whose curiosity and study of ancient plants is helping solve, very modern problems.

The United Nations says the human rights situation in Madagascar is “deteriorating” ahead of next month’s presidential election, as police put down opposition protests. The EU and the US have also voiced concern over the "disproportionate use of force" to disperse demonstrations. Who really benefits from the buying and selling of carbon credits?And Nollywood screen legend Richard Mofe-Damijo talks to us about his latest streaming hit The Black Book.

Burkina Faso's military leaders have signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant, with the hope of increasing its electricity supplies. Burkina Faso is one of the least electrified countries globally, with only 21% of people connected to power. Our West Africa Correspondent Mayeni Jones talks us through the advantages and disadvantages of a nuclear power plant in the Sahel.Also there's a rise in child labour across the globe, that's the warning from the International Labour Organization. More than half of all child labourers are found across Africa. We hear from the Director-General of the ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo.And what to do with an old pair of sneakers? How one young South African, Sibusiso Zulu, is already helping to change the world after asking that very question.

The Bretton wood institutions are meeting in Morocco this year. It's the first such summit on African soil in 50 years. Does this meeting signal a renewed approach to how it works with and supports African economic growth?Also did you know, eggs are currently South Africa's hottest commodity? The country has been grappling with one of its worst outbreaks of bird flu which has resulted in the culling of millions of chickens and supermarkets, running out of eggs. We'll hear more about the impact it's having.And there's a treat in store as we bring you all the latest from the star studded draw on AFCON 2023, from Abidjan in Ivory Coast.

Liberians voted in elections on Tuesday, with President George Weah seeking a second term. Observers said polling was peaceful, despite some violence during the campaign. Mr Weah is the favourite to win, with former Vice-President Joseph Boakai considered his main challenger. Did the president deliver in his first term?Are reparations the best way of rectifying the injustices of the past? After Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo calls for Western countries which profited from the transatlantic slave trade to pay reparations to African countries, we hear from an opponent of the proposal.And South Africa's latest census reveals the population rose by over 10 million, to 62 million people, in just over a decade. But how significant is this data?

What is Egypt's reaction to the war between Israel and Hamas? Israel has continued to heavily bomb the Gaza strip since the attack. Egypt shares a border with Gaza. We find out more about the shared border and get analysis into Egypt's relationship with both the Palestinians and Israelis. Also thousands of tonnes of much needed food aid is stuck on the border between Benin and Niger, unable to get into Niger. We'll hear how it's adding to the country's food insecurity.And we'll find out more about the African political prisoners sent to Australia during British colonial rule. Who exactly were they and why were they "excluded" from History?

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has accused the government of restricting the democratic and civil space in the country. The claim comes ahead of an exercise to draft a new constitution, ahead of the country’s first election since achieving independence in 2011.   Plus, we hear from an African migrant caught up in the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas.   And on World Mental Health Day, Ghanaian Afrobeats sensation KiDi opens up on coping with the demands of life as a music star.

There is international concern and diplomatic pressure following the attacks and retaliation between Israel and Hamas. Hundreds of people have died, in both Israel and Palestine. We get analysis into how Africa is reacting.Also in Mauritius the courts have decriminalised same sex relations on the basis that the ban reflected colonial era values rather than indigenous ones. We'll hear from a LGBTQ+ campaigner.And we meet the South African teenager, Mika Abrahams, who is breaking records in the world of motor racing.

Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, becoming only the second African country to stage the event. Why did the country succeed with its bid, at the sixth attempt?What are Liberians prioritising ahead of  next week’s general election? The vote will be the fourth since the end of two successive civil wars which ravaged the country.Plus, we meet Bose Ogulu, mother and manager of afrobeats sensation Burna Boy. Known as Mama Burna, she tells us about her life and inspiration.

A report submitted to the UN Committee against Torture this week said, torture in Egypt has been used as a political tool to curtail dissent and that it was so widespread it amounted to crimes against humanity. We hear a testimony from an Egyptian female in exile in the United States, who alleges she was tortured in prison, under the current regime. The Egyptian government denies all allegations of torture in facilities, including prisons. Also quelea birds are a pest across many countries on the continent. Recently, Tanzania culled over a million of them but the chemical used to kill them in Africa, is either banned or restricted in other countries. I speak to my colleague Dorcas Wangira who has covered this story extensively in Kenya. And we meet Rwanda's first female Barista.

The main opposition leader in Seychelles, Patrick Herminie, is one of eight people charged with witchcraft, following the exhumation of two bodies. They deny the charges, with Mr Herminie calling the prosecution a "political show" intended to taint his image. Meanwhile, we examine the arrest of Tunisian opposition politician Abir Moussi, and look at why another opposition leader from the country, Rached Ghannouchi, is on hunger strike.And why the price tag for conserving the king of beasts, the African lion, could be a staggering $3 billion per year.

Focus on Africa takes you inside Sierra Leone's overcrowded prisons and looks closely at the country's justice system. Our reporter Umaru Fofana looks into a much needed review on how prisoners are treated.Also the Nobel peace prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, who is renowned for helping victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announces his plans to run for president in December. What's the reaction in the DRC and can Denis Mukwege make a difference?And we talk to African playwrights, Tonderai Munyevu and Yael Farber who join over 60 of the world's leading playwrights for an online charity auction taking place at Christie's in London. The event, "Out of the Margins", is organised by the Good Chance theatre and will include writers; Wole Soyinka, Inua Ellams, Tom Stoppard, Tina Fey, and Tanika Gupta.

One year on from the most recent coup in Burkina Faso, we look at the current state of play regarding security, the economy and the ruling junta.We examine the political tensions in Mozambique ahead of the country’s local elections next week.Plus, we meet Kenyan stargazer Susan Murabana, who is bringing astronomy to the people.

Thousands of people in Sudan remain displaced with many seeking shelter in schools. The impact of the war has had a devastating effect on the country's youth who now have no formal schools to attend. We'll hear how this ongoing conflict is disrupting the lives of young people in Sudan.Also, there's frustration in Nigeria as the country grapples with ongoing power outages, despite investment in the energy sector. We find out what's behind the perennial blackouts and get analysis from Nigeria.And how Ethiopians are praying for peace and unity as they begin celebrating the annual religious holiday of Meskel.