Africa Today

Over 30 children in Nigeria, who were arrested in August after taking part in anti-government demonstrations were detained and charged with treason. Those charges have now been dropped, following outrage in the country. The country's President Bola Tinubu also called for the release of the minors. But why were children detained in the first place? Also a warning from Equatorial Guinea's vice president Teodoro Obiang Mangue, who has said, civil servants caught having sex in their offices will face "severe measures" And the town that's slowly coming to life after war in the Central African Republic. What's life like now for the residents of Bossangoa? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalists: Joseph Keen Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

After failure to pay civil servants and armed forces for a year-is South Sudan on the verge of becoming a failed state?What do Nigerians make of their former compatriot Kemi Badenoch, who has become the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK And why are Nigeria and South Africa able to export power but can't meet domestic demand?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Amie Liebowitz in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

As piracy returns off the coast of Somalia, we hear from Pakistani and Iranian fishermen who fear being kidnapped. After years of being pushed back, the problem is once again on the rise. Also, find out how Africa's genetic variation could benefit the medical world. And how financial technology is changing business transactions on the African continent. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Journalist: Joseph Keen Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi concedes defeat, marking the end of rule for the Democratic Party (BDP). What went wrong for the party that has been in power since independence in 1966?Plus, we hear from the Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who says government tactics to silence critics are from a bygone era.And the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, that is seeking to break away from the rest of Nigeria, has been in court to reverse its designation as a terrorist organisation. But what is the history behind the movement, and will they ever achieve their aims?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle a in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Civil society groups have warned the risk of sexual violence in Sudan is so severe that some women are taking their own lives. Campaigners have told the BBC of several cases of women taking their lives, either after enduring sexual violence or to avoid it. On Tuesday, a major UN report highlighted 'staggering' levels of sexual violence in Sudan, attributing the worst atrocities to the paramilitary RSF group. Aslo, find out how upcoming elections in the US could impact Africa.And could Compressed Natural Gas provide an alternative to petrol in Nigeria?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan and Victor Sylver in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Joseph Keen Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Chad's President Mahamat Déby has ordered an army offensive against Islamist militants after 40 soldiers were killed in an attack on a military base. But can the Chadian army defeat Boko Haram?A Congolese asylum seeker to the US shares his story and his message to the presidential candidates.And we hear how a TikTok game could be endangering social cohesion in Somalia.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Kaine Pirie in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

In one of the deadliest attacks since Sudan's conflict began, pro-democracy groups report that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed at least 124 civilians and injured over a hundred others in El-Gezira state. The RSF allegedly raided Al-Sireha village on Friday, leading to widespread deaths and injuries, with images of bodies prepared for burial and mass graves circulating on social media. The RSF has denied targeting civilians.Also Botswana, hailed for its stable democracy, holds a general election on Wednesday.And we hear from a road transport owner following deadly tanker explosions in Uganda and Nigeria.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Bella Hassan, Victor Sylver, Amie Liebowitz and Nyasha Michelle. Technical Producer: Nick Randall Senior Journalist: Joseph Keen Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The leading opposition party in Mozambique files a lawsuit demanding a recount of this month's election results because of alleged irregularities, and deposits three hundred kilos of documents at the country's highest court. Also, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, visits Morocco; we take a look at relations between the two countries, and why young French Africans are leaving France to move back to Africa.

A court in Uganda has sentenced Thomas Kwoyelo, a former senior commander of the rebel group the Lord's Resistance Army, to 40 years in prison for war crimes including murder, rape, enslavement and torture. Victoria Nyanjura was 14 years old when she was abducted by the group from her school in Northern Uganda. She was forced to work for the group and was repeatedly raped. Victoria shares her thoughts on the sentencing and recounts her experience at the hands of the LRA.Also a review of this year's BRICS summit, as Ethiopia and Egypt join the blocAnd why does asthma, a chronic lung condition, remain undiagnosed in children on the continent?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar, Daniel Dadzie and Joseph Keen in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region's education system shows little sign of ending two years after the civil warHow crippling national debt in Africa is curbing development under discussion at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington DCPlus the challenge of catching breast cancer early in sub Saharan AfricaPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga, Amie Liebowitz, Patricia Whitehorne and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors:. Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Russia's embassy in Sudan has said it is investigating reports that a cargo plane with Russian crew was shot down in Darfur, a key battle ground in the civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Is Russia part of a proxy war in Sudan?Kenya's all women SWAT squad heads to Haiti And will the junta in Gabon step aside once a new constitution is adopted?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Joseph Keen, Alphonso Daniels and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The Kenyan government says it deported four Turkish refugees back home. The UN's refugee agency is not pleasedEgypt officially declared 'malaria-free' by the World Health Organization (WHO) after a 100-year long effort.And why Botswana has never borrowed money from the IMFPresenter: Audrey Brown Producers Amie Liebowitz, Sunita Nahar, Blessing Aderogba and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa's health department say they've begun 'intense' investigations into alleged food poisioning cases especially amongst children. In a recent case six children all under the age of 10 died in Soweto, after allegedly eating food that was poisioned. We hear from a journalist covering the story.Also why South Africa's relationship with Taiwan is tense - and what sort of relationship does the island share with the rest of the continent?And why is Mozambique planting around 200 million mangroves?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Stefania Okereke, Amie Liebowitz, Audrey Brown and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

There was drama in Kenyan politics this week which ended with the impeachment of deputy president  Rigathi Gachagua. Young people voted in big numbers during the general elections in 2022.  Two youths share their views on the matter.Why has the government of Ivory Coast dissolved all student unions?And how Al-Shabab militia in Mogadishu are making life difficult for business owners with CCTV cameras on their premises.Presenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi, Blessing Aderogba, Yvette Twagiramariya and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

An explosion from an overturned fuel tanker in northern Nigeria has killed more than 150 people, including several children. Many others were injured and taken to hospital. Officials say, the death toll could rise. Fuel tanker accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, so why does this keep happening?Also the International Criminal Court says it's renewing investigations into alleged war crimes in DR Congo And how an online post showing the lack of care of infrastructure in Johannesburg has sparked a debate in South Africa!Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen, Yvette Twagiramariya, Victor Sylver, and Benjamin Woodroof in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

On World Food Day we consider how changing weather patterns due to climate change are worsening Nigeria's food insecurity.BBC journalist Mohanad Hashim's emotional return to the city of his birth, Omdurman in Sudan, 18 months after the war startedAnd efforts to save the Yaaku language which is at risk of extinction in Kenya.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya, Blessing Aderogba, Nour Abida and Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Equatorial Guinea and Gabon have asked the International Court of Justice to help settle a dispute. They are both laying claim to oil rich Islands not far from their coastlines. But who owns the islands and how far back does this dispute go? Also why cargo ships vare losing hundreds of containers around the Cape of Good Hope in South AfricaAnd why is the Nigerian men's football team boycotting their AFCON qualifying game against Libya? Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle and Victor Sylver in London. Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why would a migrant embark on a journey on Africa's deadliest migration route?A French-Cameroonian writer on trial in Paris for contesting the 1994 genocide in Rwanda-we find out whyAnd how excess salt in soil is affecting farming communities in AfricaPresenter :Charles Gitonga Producers: Amie Liebowitz, Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya and Susan Gachuhi Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga. Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi are our editors. I'm Charles Gitonga. We'll talk again next time. Technical producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The leaders of Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea, countries which all have strained relations with Ethiopia, have been meeting in the Eritrean capital, Asmara. Can Eritrea help de-escalete tension between its neighboursAlso an app that helps detect illnesses in people with black and brown skinAnd the Ugandan bill, seeking to restore respect for the elderly! Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Victor Sylver in London. Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Zimbabwe announces a major shift in its land tenure. Black farmers will get titles for land seized from white farmers but can only sell to "indigenous Zimbabweans"What's behind the rare flooding in the Sahara Desert?And a community in Uganda with an unusually high number of blind people.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle, Rukia Bulle, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga in London. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Editors Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.