Piracy off the coast in Somalia, had cost the global economy around 7 billion US dollars just over a decade ago. Since then, international security patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lane all but eliminated piracy. But in recent months, there’s been a resurgence off the coast of the autonomous region of Puntland. Why is that? Als…

An underfunded and undermanned contingent of 400 Kenyan police are on a mission to quell gangs in Haiti. How are they coping? More Somali migrants stranded in Libya return home. And Algerian Kamel Daoud was recently awarded a top French prize for his novel Houris- why is it banned in Algeria? Presenter: Charles GitongaProducers: Amie Liebowitz in L…

Over a thousand Sierra Leoneans were recently arrested on the streets of Conakry in Guinea and deported. Sierra Leoneans reciprocated with their own deportation of Guineans. This all resulted in a diplomatic spat between the two countries. We'll get the details. Also is Kenya really increasing state surveillance of its citizens? We'll hear governme…

The World Health Organization recently published its first-ever report on drowning prevention. The rates are highest in Africa-with Uganda one of the highest And a Ghanaian shares his close encounter with jihadists in Burkina Faso Are there academies in Nigeria where people are taught online scamming? Presenter : Charles GitongaProducers: Susan Gac…

Residents of Mayotte have spoken of "apocalyptic scenes" caused by the worst storm in 90 years to hit the French Indian Ocean territory. Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but local authorities say that number could rise into thousands. We'll look at the impact. Also a look at the painful legacy of landmines in Africa and why campaigns to end …

Ethiopian authorities have reportedly deported hundreds of Eritreans. Many Eritreans there are refugees who fled forced military conscription and government oppressionWe hear about the lives of Syrians who fled war at home for a new life in SomaliaWhy did China give the least developed countries it has diplomatic ties with tariff free access.? Pres…

Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa's plans to build a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland following talks in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the "historic agreement", which he said would eventually ensure landlocked Ethiopia's access to the sea. How significant is this? Als…

Zambia's constitutional court says former President Lungu is ineligible for re-election. He alleges political interference We'll look at Operation Serengeti, a multinational attempt to stamp out cybercrime Plus, a BBC investigation into how influencers are spreading disinformation on women's health on TikTok Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Victor…

Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso, is visiting Libya, in his capacity as chairman of the African Union's committee on the Libyan crisis. His aim is to get the country's rival governments, led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah in the west and Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east, to the reconciliation table. Does the AU have any influence in L…

After two previous attempts, John Mahama is set to make comeback as Ghana's president. He was the country’s leader from 2012-2016. Ghana’s economy is struggling and corruption endemic. Political analyst Nansata Yakubu explains the huge expectations on a Mahama presidency over the next four years. The menstrual health taboos facing African women ath…

The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet has recently returned from Sudan. It's her second visit to the country since April 2023, when the war broke out between the government army and the paramilitary group, the RSF. Lyse says, the humanitarian sitaution in the country is far worse now than it's ever been. She met and spoke to peopl…

Namibia has elected its first female president, who is she, and what cultural and political obstacles will she need to overcome? How the rape of a woman in Mauritania has sparked national protests and reflection As surrogacy becomes common in Nigeria, there is a new bill to regulate the practice. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers :Bella Hassan, Suni…

Ghanaians are preparing to vote in their presidential election this Saturday. The election is being contested between vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia and former president John Mahama. What are the key issues voters will be focusing on? Also, Sierra Leone's desire to return to being a rice exporter, instead of importing the country's most favourite …

Nigeria air strikes: Tudunbiri village continues to mourn dozens of deaths and cope with injuries one year later on We look at the impact of mercury poisoning caused by illegal mining in southwestern Ghana And how easy is it for you to travel to another African country? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London., C…

US President Biden is in Angola for what is likely to be the final foreign trip of his presidency. It’s his first visit to Sub- Saharan Africa and it's part of a promise the president made, during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022, to travel to the continent. But, it comes almost at the end of his tenure, so what does the president's trip to Ang…

Negotiators in the South Korean city of Busan are trying to reach the first ever a global treaty on plastic. How stress from climate change is leading to increased violence against women. And a film maker’s odyssey to preserve the legacy of a local Ugandan photographer. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Rob Wilson, Nour Abida and Nyasha Michelle in…

There are now 35 million people internally displaced across the continent, that's according to a recent report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. That's a threefold increase since 2009, when African governments signed a landmark deal legally binding countries to try and tackle the causes of displacement. So why is there an increase? Al…

Militant Islamists involved in another deadly attack in Nigeria’s Borno State. Why is the army still battling these insurgencies? South Africa opposition parties seek to revive impeachment proceedings against President Ramaphosa Why does President Felix Tshisekedi want to change the Congolese constitution? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Rob Wils…

Namibians will head to the polls on Wednesday in what is expected to be the most competitive election yet for the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed the country since independence. We'll get analysis and hear from young voters. Also young Nigerians caught up in the gold rush in rebel controlled areas in Mali. But do they know that the sale of g…

A court in Zimbabwe recently convicted dozens of opposition politicians belonging to the Citizens Coalition for Change party for holding an illegal gathering. Is the party facing a clamp down from Zanu-PF? How the church is trying to navigate governance challenges for Kenya and Africa Plus, lessons the South African city of Cape Town learned about …

Mali has appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as prime minister a day after firing its previous leader, Choguel Kokalla Maïga and his government. This came after rare criticism by Maïga of the junta. What's really behind the reshuffle? Also did you know that Ethiopia is a major hub for bitcoin mining? And how the world of sport is doing its…

South Africa takes over the G20 presidency from Brazil for a year. Will Africa benefit from this? How organised crime benefits from trafficking electronic waste to Ghana. And Somalia's Finance Minister on the benefits of debt forgiveness. Presenter: Charles GitongaProducers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Bella Hassan, Amie Liebowitz, Joseph Keen and …

Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution which called for a ceasefire in Sudan. It was proposed by the UK and Sierra Leone, calling on both sides to immediately halt hostilities and start talks aimed at agreeing a national ceasefire. Why did Russia veto it? Also, the online trend that has Nigerians furiously tapping their phones And the…

Was India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nigeria about lobbying for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council? Why are some young TikTokers in Uganda being jailed? And why thousands of indigenous, sacred baobab trees are under threat in the Limpopo region of South Africa. Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers : Sunita Nahar, Susan Gachuhi a…

The Senegalese government has claimed victory in the recent parliamentary elections. It said the ruling party, Pastef, had won with a "large majority". What does the win mean for the country? Also, the cruel sextortion scams in Nigeria. Parents appeal to the criminals following the death of their son And a prize that shines a spotlight on detained …

South African authorities try to force as many as 4,000 illegal miners - known as zama zamas - to return to the surface, by denying them food and water. The miners, who have been stuck underground, fear they will be arrested. Who are they? And could the government's hardline operation be challenged in the courts? What next for Mali - now that the m…

The European Union has announced it will not renew its fishing agreement with Senegal, citing concerns over the country’s efforts to curb illegal fishing. European officials pointed to inadequate monitoring and surveillance systems in Dakar. Without a renewed agreement European vessels will be required to exit Senegalese waters when the deal expire…

As COP 29- the climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan focuses on finance. What is the status of the loss and damage fund?Meanwhile a UN panel in Sudan to investigate possible war crimes in DarfurAnd is Lakurawa really a new jihadist group in Nigeria? How does it operate? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Bella HassanT…

Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, will hold its general election tomorrow. The incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi, is seeking re-election. Somaliland says it would like to be recognised by the international community. Why isn't it recognised and what will the elections mean for the region? Also we'll get reaction as Nigeria allows women f…

The ECOWAS Court recently declared Sierra Leone’s loitering laws discriminatory and ordered their amendment or repeal A BBC investigation sees evidence that devastating flood water in South Sudan is spreading pollution from the oil industry. And why is there a dispute over uranium production in Niger ? Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers: Patricia Whi…

The Mauritian government has ended its recent suspension of social media, which threatened voters’ access to information ahead of the general elections on the 10th of November. Once a proud democracy, how are Mauritians feeling about the upcoming election? Also are more African domestic workers escaping Lebanon, as the war continues? And how did so…

Police in Maputo fire tear gas in a bid to stop opposition protests against the results of last month's disputed election. Mozambique has seen weeks of unrest since the victory by the Frelimo party. The ICC says there has been no payment into a fund for victims of Uganda warlord Dominic Ongwen And why are so many African countries facing foreign cu…

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? …

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 dema…

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 conti…

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 P…

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, at…

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 soci…

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 pre…

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 y…

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 …

The crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region's education system shows little sign of ending two years after the civil war How crippling national debt in Africa is curbing development under discussion at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington DC Plus the challenge of catching breast cancer early in sub Saharan Africa Presenter: Audrey BrownProducer…

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 …

The Kenyan government says it deported four Turkish refugees back home. The UN's refugee agency is not pleased Egypt 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 IMF Presenter: Audrey BrownProducers Amie Liebowitz, Sunita Nahar, Blessing Ad…

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 Taiw…

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 …

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 ren…

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 started And efforts to save the Yaaku language which is at risk of extinction in Kenya. Presenter: Charles Gi…

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 Africa And why…

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 why And how excess salt in soil is affecting farming communities in Africa Presenter :Charles GitongaProducers: Amie Liebowitz, Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne, Yvet…