Africa Today
Africa news and analysis from the BBC's Focus on Africa. The Africa Today podcast contains the day's top stories from African news - available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.
20 Episodes
South Africa elections: The ANC loses its majority. What happens next?
Following last week's elections, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, has lost its majority. The ANC now needs a coalition partner to ally with. It's begun closed-door negotiations with its political opponents, but who will it choose and why?Also Nigeria's public workers begin an indefinite nationwide strike following failed negotiations…
Will US sanctions on Ugandan officials also damage the country?
The United States has sanctioned Uganda’s parliament speaker, her husband and others over corruption and rights abuses, but will the imposed restrictions have a wider impact?After the mysterious disappearance of a Zambia parliamentarian who was later found, opposition politicians fear the country’s democracy is under threat.And why is there a…
Nigeria: One year into President Tinubu’s term in office, how has he fared?
It's one year since Bola Tinubu became Nigeria’s President. Mr Tinubu assumed office during a time of unprecedented challenges for Africa’s most populous country. How are Nigerian's feeling about his promise of a "renewed hope"? Somalia is the only sub-Saharan country to carry out the death penalty, where according to…
Will Burkina Faso ever become democratic?
The military junta in Burkina Faso extends its military rule for another five years. So does this mean it is consolidating its power?There have been chaotic scenes in Sierra Leone during the Bar Association’s ballot for a powerful executive, deeply steeped in the country’s politics, and Gen Z’s desire for…
What's behind the rise in violent crime in Kenya?
It's getting easier to access illegal arms in Kenya which has led to the rise in violent crime, especially in more deprived areas. What's fuelling the rise in gun crime? Also, why is Ghana turning to nuclear power?And a documentary explores the reality African students face when they choose to…
What does Kenya’s non-NATO ally status mean?
Kenya has been designated the status of non-NATO ally by the US President Joe Biden, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to receive that designation. Learn what it means for Kenya and more widely for Africa.How an initiative in West Africa is improving accountability and transparency in the extraction…
Is there a growing risk of genocide in El-Fasher?
The besieged city of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region, is facing a growing risk of genocide as the world's attention is focused on other conflicts, that's the warning from a United Nations expert. Alice Wairimu Nderitu told the BBC, many civilians have been targeted based on their ethnicity in El-Fasher,…
How can genetically engineered mosquitoes stop malaria?
The first batch of genetically modified mosquitoes is being released in Djibouti in a bid to stop the spread of malaria carrying vectors that bite during the day and thrive in urban areas. How does this work?Also, an overview of South Africa's 'historic' elections. Who are the main parties and…
How are EU funds enabling abuses against migrants in North Africa?
Hundreds of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa are being arrested and deported to desert areas in Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania using funds made available by the European Union. An investigation by eight international news organisations says the migrants also face human rights abuses as countries try to stop them from reaching…
Is Kenya still on course to deploy police officers to Haiti?
At least 200 Kenyan police officers are set to arrive in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. This decision coincides with the current visit by President Ruto to the United States. Have sufficient preparations being made on the ground in Haiti to receive the troops? Also…
Who are the men behind an attempted coup in DR Congo ?
The Democratic Republic of Congo says it has quashed an attempted coup on Sunday. The army said the group of people behind the attempted coup were foreigners or Congolese citizens based abroad. Who are these men and why would they want to topple the government?Also, are Universities on the continent…
Ethiopia: Why is the US calling for a ceasefire?
The United States has called for a temporary nationwide ceasefire following continued fighting between the national army and armed groups in Oromia and Amhara regions. The US alleges that the armed groups target schools, health centres and water infrastructure.Why has Gabon's deposed President Ali Bongo gone on hunger strike?And Audrey…
Gambia: Why has Ousman Sonko been sentenced to 20 years in prison?
A Swiss court has sentenced ex-Gambian minister,Ousman Sonko to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. Mr Sonko fled to Switzerland in 2016. He was arrested and had been in custody since 2017, after a human rights group based in Geneva filed a criminal complaint against him. Audrey speaks…
How can more Africans access clean cooking?
Over 2 billion people rely on polluting fuels to prepare meals, the UN Secretary-General warns at a summit on clean cooking in Africa. We hear from a young female environmentalist in Malawi with a solution. Calls for an end to the abuse of power in Tunisia after a police raid…
Chad: Why are the election results being challenged?
Chad’s opposition leader, Succès Masra says he is challenging the preliminary results of the recent presidential election. Preliminary results show President Mahamat Deby won with just over 61% of the vote and the runner-up Succès Masra had just over 18%. So why are the results being challenged? Also why are…
Does Somalia still need a UN mission?
The Somali government has asked the U.N. Security Council to end the U.N. political mission in Somalia that has been helping the war-ravaged country since 2013. Can Somalia afford to go it alone? Why is Nigeria's Senate calling for the death penalty for drug trafficking?And concern that African penguins are…
Why are there concerns of ethnic cleansing in Darfur?
Human Rights Watch says ethnic cleansing has taken place in El Geneina against the Massalit and non-Arab residents. What's the evidence? Also, after more than three billion doses, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine won't be manufactured anymore. Why is that, and how will this affect future vaccine uptake in Africa?And we…
Why have Kenyan government doctors agreed to end strike?
Kenyan government doctors have signed an agreement to return to work in a bid to end a strike that started nearly 2 months ago. However, not all the doctors' demands have been met.Thousands of Sudanese refugees flee two UN camps in Ethiopia due to security concerns.And South Africa initiates plans…
West Africa: which country will US and French troops move to next?
As the defence partnership between countries in the Sahel and the US and France ends, there's curiosity about which West African country will offer a base for French and US troops. Why is it important for these forces to have a base in West Africa? Also we revist the plight…
Why was Eliud Kipchoge a trolling victim?
Two time Olympic champion marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge has been speaking to the BBC about the impact of social media abuse on him and his family.Togo's ruling party wins a parliamentary majority in legislative elections, is President Faure Gnassingbé set to extend his time in power?And can the tropical modernism…