Africa Today

An El Nino induced drought is intensifying across southern Africa and has left almost 70 million people in urgent need of aid. Countries affected include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi and Zambia. We hear about the devastating impact it's having on a community in Northern Zimbabwe.Also the Gambian government wants to make ammendments to the country's constitution..but does it enjoy the support of all its citizens? And the African athletes going for gold at this year's Paralympics! Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida, Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Bella Hassan in London Techincal Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

In a rare move, Burkina Faso’s military-led government has acknowledged that a deadly attack has taken place in which at least 200 security officers and villagers were killed. Some reports say it could be one of the worst ever in the country. So who was behind the attack and why is the military government unable to contain the violence?Zambia faces a maize contamination crisis as aflatoxins – produced by certain mould and fungi - kill dozens of dogs, sparking health concerns. How can communities keep their food safe? And what sparked the massive fallout at at the top of South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that has led to the departure and defection of the party’s deputy leader.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The Maasai community in northern Tanzania has continued to protest against what they call forcible evictions from their ancestral lands at the Ngorongoro conservation area and a UNSECO heritage site. Why are they being relocated? Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, has announced that it is out of the doldrums, and has posted its first net profit in more than a decade. What lessons have they learnt from the past, and is the recovery sustainable? And Uganda proposes a new law that will require teachers to attain a bachelor’s degree to continue in the profession.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Yevgeny Prigozhin was at one time the leader of the well known Russian mercenary group, Wagner. The group, since Prigozhin's death a year ago, has changed its name to Africa Corps. Has this altered Russia's operations on the continent? Also how is Burundi coping with the outbreak of Mpox?And is it a good idea to save up for your funeral? We find out why some Kenyans are doing just that.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida, Marco Oriunto, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London. Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi are in Nairobi. Technical Producer : Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

At least 30 people have died and around 200 people are still missing after a boat sank in the Lukeni River in DR Congo. It's the latest fatal boat accident in the central African country, where overloading boats is often the problem. Why do these fatal accidents keep happening?Also why were charges dropped against the Libyans arrested while undergoing training at an illegal military camp in South Africa? And who benefits from Lesotho's 'white gold'?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle Techninal Proudcers: Francesca Dunn and Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

African domestic workers trapped by their labour contracts in Lebanon as border tensions with Israel escalateA young Liberian poet in America tells us why bookshops are needed back home. And why are Mixed Martial Arts rising in popularity in Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos Technical Producer Nick Randell Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A video appearing to show a young woman being sexually assaulted in Tanzania went viral, prompting an outcry in the East African nation. This past weekend a police commander in the capital, Dodoma, was removed from her post following controversial comments in which she linked the victim in the video to sex work. So what's been the reaction in Tanzania?Also, why is Libya's Central Bank under siege? And why did Kenya's government first try to control the price of tea and then reversed the plan? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why did a Western Cape court order that dozens of homeless people be evicted from the streets of Cape Town?We take a closer look at Nigeria's multiple exchange ratesAnd what lures African athletes to compete for other countries?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A Chinese company has initiated plans to seize Nigerian assets in in the United Kingdom, United States of America and in six other countries. What's going on? Also, can US negotiators convince General Burhan's side to attend the Sudan Peace talks in Geneva?And why was there a media blackout in Senegal? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Will Africa's past experience with health emergencies help in tackling the Mpox outbreak?Could a rift within Ethiopia's TPLF party derail the Pretoria peace agreement?And was a landslide at a rubbish dump in the Ugandan capital that killed at least 30 people preventable?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Joseph Keen, Charles Gitonga and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors:Alice Muthengi and Andre LombArd

Thomas Kwoyelo, a child soldier-turned-rebel commander in the notorious Lord's Resistance Army has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a landmark case in Uganda. He denied all 78 charges that were brought against him. Who is he and what role did he play in the LRA?Also a conversation with a journalist travelling around Sudan, bearing witness to what's happening in the country And what's behind the violence against other African nationals in South Africa?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard*This Episode contains some material you may find sensitive

Why are so many potential presidential contestants in jail ahead of October presidential polls in Tunisia?We find out why Nigerian demonstrators were waving Russian flags at protests And how a novel method of mental health therapy- the friendship bench- could be making its way to a place near you.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London Senior Producer:Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Former finance minister Manuel Chang was found guilty of fraud and money laundering in a major corruption case, which came to be known as the 'tuna bond' scandal. It involved two billion dolars and crippled Mozambique's economy. How did this scandal change the country and what measures have been put in place against corruption?Also, the impact of forced evictions in AbidjanAnd celebrating the new stars in African sport, at the end of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Bella Hassan. Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Talks aimed at ending the 16-month conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces are due to take place in Geneva. Can lifestyle audits help curb corruption by Kenya's public servants?And we meet the Cameroonian lawyer who's walking a marathon at the Paris Olympics to highlight disability.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi Technical Producer : Jack Graysmark Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

A United Nations report says fake or substandard medicines could be causing the deaths of around half a million people across Africa. This new study found, if people continue to be exposed to fake medicines, they could develop a resistance to genuine medication. How do you spot fakes?Also why the concept of the family home needs a legal definition to protect the rights of women and children.And the impact of illegal shark fishing in the Congo.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Frenny Jowi, Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Mali and now Niger say they've cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine. How much involvement does Kyiv have in the Sahel?   Why are multinational companies leaving Nigeria?   And we hear more about the world's greatest running rivalry: Kenya vs Ethiopia   Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers : Victor Sylver, Charles Gitonga, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The United Kingdom is experiencing almost a week of violent disorder after three girls were fatally stabbed in the town of Southport, in England. The subsequent unrest in towns and cities has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment. How did the UK get to this point? Also, why does Lesotho have the highest suicide rates in the world? And Somalia sentences seven young Tik Tok users to jail for 'indecency' and 'incitement'.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producer: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Frenny Jowi and Rob Wilson Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiPlease Note: If you have been affected by the content on suicide in this episode, do search for the BBC's Action line or contact a local support group for help.

Hundreds gather in protest at popular Lido beach in Mogadishu after a deadly Al-Shabab militant attack. The African Union declares coffee a strategic commodity. What does that mean? And is Nigeria ready for a new state? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Claudia Efemini, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in LondonTechnical Producer  :Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Algeria's Imane Khelif found herself at the centre of controversy at the Olympic games in Paris after her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini surrendered just 46 seconds into the boxing match. The result generated immediate discussion because Khelif had in the past failed testosterone and gender eligibility tests at the World Championships. Carina later said, "I have never been hit so hard in my life". Who is Imane Khelif and why is her gender being questioned? Also, Botswana's President calls on businesses to adopt a police station? What does this mean and what's the reaction in Botswana? And why forest fires are on the rise in Morocco.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Kenyan authorities begin the process of culling a million Indian house crowsWhy are hundreds of thousands of people in Lesotho now facing severe food insecurity ?And three journalists sentenced to years in prison after writing about corruption in Morocco released after pardons from King Mohammed VIPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers : Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Sunita Nahar in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard