Podcasts about bbc africa

Every Nigerian child has the constitutional right to free and compulsory primary education, and free secondary education, yet there remains a huge gap between that law and the reality. One in every five of the world's out-of-school children lives in Nigeria. In a nation with one of the world's youngest populations, this lack of access to education could potentially cost the country its future. Its government recently acknowledged that there are 10.5 million children not being educated. It's a complex picture which includes underfunding, a lack of skilled teachers - and an issue of safety. BBC Africa journalist Yemisi Adegoke hears from parents and students at the sharp end of this crisis and asks the difficult questions to those in power.

According to the World Health Organisation, 77% of Nigerian women have used skin-lightening creams. When BBC Hausa's Madina Maishanu decided to look into this, she uncovered an even more worrying trend: mothers using potentially harmful products on their babies. Madina spoke to the campaigners trying to stop these practices. Plus, how human activities and climate change are threatening shea trees in Uganda with Njoroge Muigai from BBC Africa. Presented by Faranak Amidi Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Rhinos are at extreme risk of extinction because of poaching and habitat loss. The work of conservationists has made sure that their numbers have continued to rise, but poaching is still a major threat to their existence. Most of the global rhino population lives in South Africa, where the government has taken big steps to prevent the killings, but recent data shows criminal poachers are still targeting the animalSo scientists are getting experimental with how to protect them!We hear from the BBC Africa's Ayanda Charlie who has speaking to scientists in South Africa coming up with ways to prevent poaching, including using radioactive material in horns as a deterrent. Plus, we get the story behind why there's videos of rhinos hanging upside down from helicopters. Riley Farrell from BBC Future tells us about how choppers are being used in rhino conservation. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

According to Kenya's Health Ministry, between 2020 and 2023, about 16,000 women in Kenya decided to undergo a sterilisation procedure known as tubal ligation. While some of them already had children and didn't want any more, others were saying no to motherhood altogether: they're women who define themselves as child-free, meaning they have consciously decided never to have children. BBC Africa's Danai Nesta Kupemba has been looking into the this movement and has spoken to two Kenyan women who have recently committed to a child-free life.Also on the show: stories about people celebrating Ramadan around the world, with BBC Urdu's Aliya Nazki, BBC Indonesia's Silvano Hajid and BBC Arabic's Khitam Amer; cricket enthusiast Janhavee Moole reporting for BBC Marathi on India's recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy; and the ship fixing Africa's internet blackouts with Daniel Dadzie in Ghana. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Hannah Dean, Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

When the American troops withdrew from Afghanistan, they left behind $7bn of military supplies. Where are they now? Hafizullah Maroof from BBC Afghan will take us inside the Kabul flea market that sells second-hand military equipment to the Taliban. Plus: the origin story of capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian sport that blends dancing and martial arts, with Joao Fellet from BBC Brazil and Debula Kemoli from BBC Africa; and how the BBC's Pronunciation unit works with Language Service journalists to make sure we get international names right, with Martha Figueroa-Clark and Jo Kim.Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

There have been at least 12 police raids on gay clubs in Russia since November 2023, when the country's Supreme court banned what they call 'the global LGBT movement'. BBC Russian Anastasia Golubeva has been talking to activists on the ground to find out how these restrictions are affecting them. Five years ago, COVID-19 was spreading around the world, causing millions of deaths. How did the pandemic change our lives, and what lessons have we learnt from it? With Martin Yip from BBC Chinese and Dorcas Wangira, BBC Africa's Health Correspondent. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia, Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Eunice Yang from BBC Chinese reports on the closure of over 400 maternity wards across China. Plus, South Korea's illegal tattoo parlours with BBC Korean's Yuna Ku, and why Ghana's traditional kente fabric has been recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, with BBC Africa's Jelilat Olawale. Yuna's documentary is part of the BBC 100 Women series. To find out more about the other inspiring and influential women on this year's list go to bbc.co.uk/100women. You can also follow BBC 100 Women on Facebook and Instagram. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

In 2024, the global temperature was more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Graihagh Jackson and BBC Climate Report Esme Stallard consider the significance of this key climate target being breached. Plus, why farmers in Malawi are switching to banana wine and how global warming might be forcing humpback whales to migrate even further.With Zeke Hausfather, Climate Scientist at the University of California, Berkeley; and BBC Africa reporter Ashley Lime.Got a climate question you'd like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Production Team: Diane Richardson, Ellie House, Sophie Eastaugh Sound Mix: James Beard and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

South Africa has the largest population of canned lions in the world - these are lions born in captivity and bred for trophy hunting. People can pay (usually tens of thousands of dollars) to hunt and shoot the animals. Now the government has said it will ban it, but hasn't said when, or what will happen to the lions. Breeders argue it is better that hunters shoot a captive-bred lion than further endanger the wild populations, but conservationists and animal welfare groups dispute this, saying wild populations of lions are in decline and that the lion farms are creating a market for canned lion hunts and encouraging the hunting of wild lions too.BBC Africa's Danai Nesta Kupemba explains what canned hunting is and why campaigners want to end the practice. We discuss the ethical considerations and why lion bones are sought after. Stephanie Klarmann, from Blood Lions, which campaigns to bring an end to the commercial captive breeding of lions, tells us why they disagree with it. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Video journalist: Beatrice Guzzardi Editor: Rosanna La Falce

Argentina's president Javier Milei famously campaigned with a chainsaw, promising he would cut public spending. Has he delivered? Verónica Smink of BBC Mundo will bring us the latest from Buenos Aires. Plus, how thousands of old portrait pictures were found and restored in Uganda, with BBC Africa's Christine Otieno.Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

After publicly criticising the Ashanti King, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, journalist Afia Pokua had to apologise following a strict traditional protocol. BBC Africa's Daniel Dadzie explains how royal apologies work in Ghana, and why Afia didn't get a pardon. Plus, how to say 'I'm sorry' in Urdu, Russian, Korean, Chinese and Tajiki - and why some people in Hong Kong feel taxi drivers owe them an apology, with Martin Yip from BBC Chinese.Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

In his latest climate change 101, Jordan Dunbar looks at how climate change affects our everyday lives. He discusses the impact on our weather with BBC forecaster Louise Lear; while BBC Africa business journalist Clare Muthinji looks at what a warmer world means for the economy - from prices at the supermarket to where we go on holiday!Got a climate question you'd like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter and Producer: Jordan Dunbar Researchers: Octavia Woodward, Osman Iqbal and Tsogzolmaa Shofyor Sound Design: Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

Hollywood star Idris Elba recently announced he'll soon relocate to Africa and promote the film industry there. He spoke to BBC Africa's Thomas Naadi about it. The British actor is not alone: BBC Africa Eye's Nour Abida has been following the journeys of a group of second generation French nationals who want to move back to Senegal. Her documentary, The Homecoming, is available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel. Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Commonly associated with Count Dracula, the blood-sucking character in Bram Stoker's quintessential novel, vampires continue to seduce. But where exactly did the vampire myth originate from? BBC Serbian's Milica Radenković Jeremić has been researching the cultural history of vampirism. Plus, BBC Africa's Njoroge Muigai talks about the spirits and monsters that terrified him as a child growing up in Kenya.Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Sickle cell is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormal red blood cells. It can cause sudden bouts of severe pain, as well as fatigue, a stroke, even death. It's one of the most common genetic disorders in the world, but there's still some stigma and a lot of misunderstanding around the condition.We hear from Dunstan Nicol-Wilson, who was born with the condition, about what it's like to grow up with sickle cell, and whether people's attitudes are changing.Around 80% of sickle cell cases worldwide are in sub-Saharan Africa. Makuochi Okafor, BBC Africa health reporter, tells us how it is inherited and what the symptoms can be. Nigeria has the largest population of individuals with sickle cell in the world, so he tells us how sickle cell is treated there.Also last year the UK became the first country in the world to license a new gene-editing tool known as Crispr, as a treatment for sickle cell disease. Kesewaa Browne, a journalist in the U.K. tells us what treatments are already available and how Crispr could change things.nstagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Could a cup of coffee become an act of love and remembrance? BBC Ukrainian's Ilona Hromliuk speaks to the relatives of fallen soldiers who have opened 'memory cafés' to pay tribute to their loved ones. Plus, Alfred Lasteck from BBC Africa tells us about a pioneering conservation project that helped restore the coral reef around the Mnemba island in Zanzibar, and sports journalist Emmanuel Akindubuwa meets the power couple of Nigerian para table tennis. Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

For the past 100 years diamonds have been the ultimate symbol of love, luxury and opulence. But then, a darker side to them was exposed. Diamond mining was shown to have links to conflict, human rights abuses and state corruption, putting off a lot of consumers. Lab-grown diamonds then appeared on the market as a more eco-friendly, ethical and cheaper alternative, but do they have the same appeal?We speak to Caroline Steel, a BBC Science presenter, about what makes the gems so precious and the science behind how diamonds are formed.We also hear from Shingai Nyoka, a BBC Africa reporter, about Africa's relationship to diamond production, and the discovery of the second-largest mined diamond in Botswana in August.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

A school girl in Zimbabwe was recently killed in a road accident which involved a US diplomat. Ruvarashe Takamhanya's family are calling for the person involved to apologise to them in person. The US diplomat has now left Zimbabwe, and is back in the US. Danai Nesta Kupemba, a BBC Africa journalist, has spoken to the family. She talks us through the case. All diplomats have diplomatic immunity, which means they are protected from being arrested or prosecuted for alleged crimes. Alex Rhodes from the What in the World team explains why diplomatic immunity exists and who gets it. We also discuss prominent cases where diplomacy has been key - including with Julian Assange. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

There are loads of podcasts about entrepreneurship, setting up a business or start-up, being your own boss and making money. According to the American business magazine Forbes, up to 9 in 10 start-ups fail, and the number is thought to be even higher in Africa.BBC Africa's business reporter in Lagos, Nigeria, Nkechi Ogbonna, explains what a start-up is and some of the reasons why start-ups fail. We also hear about some of the sectors where start-ups are doing well. African entrepreneur and YouTuber, Joseph Don, from The Entrepreneurs Connect Show, sets out the challenges some businesses in Africa face - and gives his top tips for starting and maintaining a successful business. And Nic Rawhani, the South African founder of Vula.VC, a company that uses AI to help start-ups find and apply for funding, tells us how people can pick themselves up and learn from their mistakes if their business doesn't work out. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Benita Barden, Mora Morrison, Kevyah Cardoso and Julia Ross-Roy Editor: Verity Wilde

Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, has been facing online abuse since becoming a finalist in Miss South Africa 2024. Chidimma is South African and grew up in Cape Town to a Nigerian father and South African mother with Mozambican roots. Some people think she shouldn't compete because of this - even though she is eligible. BBC Africa journalist Danai Nesta Kupemba talks us through the details, and what this says about xenophobia and ‘afrophobia' more generally in South Africa.This isn't the first time there have been issues over the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Melissa Nayimuli - whose father is Ugandan - competed last year and also faced online abuse. She joins us to share her experience. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Emily Horler Editor: Verity Wilde

A new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and experts say it is the most dangerous variant they have seen.We chat to Makuochi Okafor, a BBC Africa health reporter, who explains the symptoms of mpox, why scientists changed its name, and how people can protect themselves. He also describes what we know about the new variant. In 2022, a global outbreak of the virus spread across the world. The World Health Organisation said more than 87,000 cases were recorded in 111 countries. We hear what it was like for some people who caught it. And BBC Health reporter Philippa Roxby tells us how that outbreak was controlled, and the role public information and vaccines played. With not enough vaccines in Africa, can authorities stop the spread this time?Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

This evening on Africa at A Glance we talk about a new investigation by BBC Africa Eye, for BBC World Service, that has uncovered cases of elderly people being murdered and attacked after being falsely accused of witchcraft along Kenya's Kilifi coast. Violent attacks on supposed witches occur across paths of Africa and beyond, but the estimated 70 deaths reported here every year are about much more than fear of the supernatural. Meeting victims, relatives and even perpetrators, #BBCAfricaEye investigates the real motives fuelling these brutal incidents and the impunity that often enables them, revealing that many elderly victims are targeted not by strangers, but the very people who should be protecting them - their own families. Joining us for this discussion is Julius Wanyama, who works at human rights organisation called Haki Yetu. Julius is featured in the film and his organisation published an extensive report on witchcraft accusations of the elderly in Kenya, and Nicola ‘Nicky' Milne, is the Executive Producer and Director of this film. The film is produced by ‘BBC World Service / BBC Africa Eye:  and it's called ‘Cry Witch: Take My Land, Take My Life'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reneilwe Morema reports on the Constitutional Court barring Jacob Zuma from running For Parliament. The Court ruled that his hovering 15-month Prison sentence for contempt of court disqualified him. In an interview with BBC Africa, Jacob Zuma says the decision was biased, it violates the constitution, and he will fight this decision. It is no secrets that Zuma has a vendetta against the ANC, and he will use the MK party as a ploy to get his revenge. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/africandiasporanews/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/africandiasporanews/support

Life expectancy is expected to increase by almost five years around the world by 2050, according to new research. The Global Burden of Disease Study says countries with lower life expectancy are expected to see the biggest increases.Claudia Hammond is joined by BBC Africa health correspondent Dorcas Wangira to hear how public health measures are behind the predicted increases.We also hear about how negotiations at this week's World Health Assembly to secure a global deal for countries to prepare for pandemics have fallen through.Claudia and Dorcas discuss new research in Kenya into the time of day mosquitoes are biting children in school, and what it tells us about whether the insects are getting smarter.We also hear about the project twinning hospitals in Mexico and the US to try to improve the survival chances of children with leukaemia.And new research from Australia suggests having a baby takes much more metabolic energy than previously thought. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Dan Welsh Editor: Holly Squire

Tom Lund fra Bjørkelangen. Se og Hør. Durek eller Haaland? BBC Africa. Hva kaller man samboer/kone? Rando, skyting og 60-meter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of these African countries have suffered major internet disruption this month: Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Burkina Faso. This meant people couldn't do everyday things like post on social media, send money to each other or order taxis. It's because of damage to some of the underwater cables off the coast of west Africa. These cables, some only as thick as a garden hose, span thousands of miles and are responsible for most of the earth's internet access. BBC Africa business reporter Jewel Kiriungi tells the affected countries are dealing with being knocked offline.And internet infrastructure expert Doug Madory explains how exactly this vast network of cables works and what might have happened to cause the online blackout. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross Roy, Alex Rhodes and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Since conflict broke out in April 2023, it has been almost impossible for international media to report from Sudan. In that time, stories of horrific violence and sexual violence have been told by hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the country. Feras Kilani, the BBC Arabic special correspondent, has just returned from Sudan, where he got a rare insight into life in the country. Mercy Juma, the BBC Africa correspondent also tells Lyse Doucet about the survivors of ethnic violence and sexual assault she met in Chad, the neighbouring country where hundreds of thousands have fled. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory This episode was made by Richard Moran, Bethan Ashmead-Latham and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Since conflict broke out in April 2023, it has been almost impossible for international media to report from Sudan. In that time, stories of horrific violence and sexual violence have been told by hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the country.Feras Kilani, the BBC Arabic special correspondent, has just returned from Sudan, where he got a rare insight into life in the country. Mercy Juma, the BBC Africa correspondent also tells Lyse Doucet about the survivors of ethnic violence and sexual assault she met in Chad, the neighbouring country where hundreds of thousands have fled.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Richard Moran, Bethan Ashmead-Latham and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

So the question being discussed by Kenyans for the last 2 weeks: will the country really send police officers to Haiti or not?US citizens have been evacuated and aid groups have warned that millions of Haitians face acute food shortages, as well-armed gangs wreak terror on the capital, Port-au-Prince. It's widely accepted that stopping the gangs will take determined international intervention – but the shape that it will take is still under question. President Ruto is insisting Kenya will send 1000 police officers to fight the gangs once a transitional government is in place.But many Kenyans are asking why their police officers are being offered to lead the force – when the US is so much closer to the violence stricken country. In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja talks to Dr Ekuru Aukot, a lawyer and opposition politician who successfully obtained a court order stopping the deployment in January.He also talks to Kenyan security analyst George Musamali and BBC Africa's Security Correspondent Ian Wafula.

A new documentary, Copa 71, follows the trailblazing women who headed to Mexico for an unofficial Women's World Cup in 1971. Woman's football had been banned in many countries including the UK for 50 years. Unperturbed 6 teams gathered and played in front of crowds of 100,000 fans. One of those players, Chris Lockwood joins Anita Rani alongside co-director of the film Rachel Ramsay.On International Woman's Day Maidenhead MP and former Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she is standing down at the next election, telling the Maidenhead Advertiser she has taken the “difficult decision” after 27 years representing the constituency. She becomes the 63rd Tory MP — and the most senior — to announce that they will not be standing again in 2024. She says that causes such as tackling modern slavery were taking an "increasing amount" of her time - as a reason for her stepping down now. We hear from David Lee - deputy editor for the Maidenhead Advertiser who broke the story and assistant editor at the Spectator Isabel Hardman.What's it like being the first, directly elected female Mayor of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone? Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr talks about her career in politics and a new BBC Africa documentary which follows her run up to elections. New research suggests that female psychopaths could be up to 5 times more common that we previously thought. So what are the main differences between men and women when it comes to psychopathy? How do you deal with a woman who fits the bill? And what could the wider impacts of this study be in terms of our court systems and other societal sectors? We hear from Dr Clive Boddy, an Associate Professor of corporate psychology at the University of Anglia Ruskin who's conducted this research. And Estelle Moore, clinical and forensic psychologist and chair of the London Psychological Professions Network. The Radio 1 presenter and singer Mollie King joins Anita to discuss her Red Nose Day challenge for Comic Relief – a 500km cycle across England, setting off from London and crossing the finish line in Hull, the hometown of her late father. She explains it's the first time she's cycled on a road, how she plans to navigate busy city centres, winding country roads, and unsteady terrain, and her fitness journey since giving birth to her daughter in 2022. Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Kirsty Starkey Studio Manager: Tim Heffer

By the end of March, the Academy Awards and the Grammys will have finished, with hours of dedicate coverage, posts and memes galore. But viewing figures in the US show less people are tuning in. There's a tendency to highlight the glitziness and importance of these events in the US, UK and Europe, but are award shows held to the same standard everywhere? And do these shows even matter anymore?Noor Nanji, the BBC's Culture Reporter and Fan Wang, a BBC Journalist in Singapore tell us about what award shows exist across Asia, and whether winning an award holds the same weight culturally. Nyasha Michelle, a journalist at BBC Africa also gives us a glimpse into Africa's award show industry.Plus, what do you have to do behind the scenes to actually win an Oscar? It's not as simple as putting in the best performance. Stars like Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy, Maestro's Bradley Cooper, Killer of the Flower Moon's Lily Gladstone and the studios behind them have been on the campaign trail to try and secure that famous golden statue. We get some Hollywood insight into what it takes from Jillian Chilingerian, the co-founder of Offscreen Central.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Beverly Ochieng Producers: Alex Rhodes, Adam Chowdhury and Benita Barden Editors: Simon Peeks

A regional bloc is a group of countries that team up to work together on common goals, like trade or security, to benefit all members. In Africa they include Ecowas, which stands for the Economic Community of West African States, the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) amongst others. But are they always as effective as they set out to be? Recently, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso quit the West African bloc - Ecowas. The military-led countries had already been suspended from the bloc, which has been urging them to return to democratic rule.From Liberia in 1990 to the Gambia in 2017, regional groups have deployed troops to address coups, civil wars, and disputed elections. While some interventions, like the restoration of President Kabbah in Sierra Leone, were successful, others such as the intervention in the Liberian civil war, faced criticism for human rights abuses.BBC Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja spoke to BBC Africa's Beverly Ochieng about the role regional blocs play in Africa and how their interventions impact citizens.

Listen to an interview with Jane Labous and hear her reading from her new novel, Past Participle, published by Afsana Press. Dakar, Senegal, 1987: On a rainy night after a wild party, the British ambassador's wife, Vivienne Hughes, is involve in a car crash. Her vehicle hits the motorbike of a young Senegalese doctor, Aimé Tunkara, killing him. Pleading diplomatic immunity, Vivienne and her husband flee to England. Three decades later, Aimé's little sister, Lily Tunkara, now a high-flying lawyer in Dakar, finds a photograph that compels her to investigate what really happened that rainy night. As Lily faces increasing hostility from the local community, she turns to Vivienne Hughes, the only remaining witness, but is either woman prepared for the truth to emerge? Past Participle is the story of two women bound together by the faultlines of the past, a study of love and guilt, power and desire, retribution and forgiveness. Jane Labous is an award-winning author, BBC journalist and broadcaster known for her frontline coverage of human rights and gender issues, always telling the powerful human stories behind the headlines. Jane read English & French at Jesus College, Oxford, before working for the UK and international press and INGOs, most often out of Dakar, Senegal. This while developing her creative art as a writer, filmmaker and novelist, drawing on her insider knowledge of the aid sector and foreign journalism, and her unique experience of both expat and local family life in Ngor, Dakar. Jane's credits span a vista of international outlets, including The Independent, Voice of America, Geographical, The LA Times, BBC Africa and BBC Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent. She has also worked as a writer and filmmaker for aid/humanitarian agencies including the UN, the World Health Organisation, Save The Children, and Amnesty International. She has won the BBC Radio 4 and Royal Geographical Society Documentary Award, the Merck More than a Mother Media Recognition & Film Award for Francophone African Countries, and a European Journalism Centre Development Reporting Grant. Her fiction has been longlisted for the Bath Novel Prize and the Santa Fé Writers' Project Literary Award. This episode was produced by Tabitha Potts, writer and podcaster. She recently received an Honourable Mention in the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck University and a First in English Language and Literature from Oxford University. Read her short story collection here or visit her website.

Demonstrations have been taking place across Kenya to protest femicide and violence against women. The demonstrations follow the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu and the dismemberment of student Rita Waeni earlier this month. BBC Africa journalist Danai Nesta Kupemba tells us about the cases and explains what changes are needed to protect women in Kenya. Esther Ogola, a BBC women's affairs journalist based in Nairobi, describes how violence against women is rooted in social beliefs. The two brutal murders have sparked a wave of activism. People are using the hashtags #StopKillingWomen and #EndFemicideKe and attending rallies across the country. Women who joined these marches tell us why it's important to protest. Among the many challenges women face is ‘the manosphere', a dark corner of social media where it's common to blame the victims of gender-based violence. Activist Onyango Otieno explains how he is trying to tackle toxic masculinity in Kenya.This episode contains discussion about sexual assault and harassment. Details of organisations offering information and support with these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison, Imogen James and William Lee Adams Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

This month Iran launched a missile attack into Pakistan's Balochistan region, claiming to target an Iranian anti-regime militant group based there. Days later Pakistan retaliated with missiles it claimed were directed at Baloch-Pakistan militants in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province. BBC Urdu's Saher Baloch visited the border city of Turbat in Pakistan's Balochistan province to find out what impact this is having on cross border relations, and what these militants want. Chinese students choose Thai universities BBC Thai recently reported that more and more Chinese students are choosing to study in Thai universities, making up 60% of all international students. It's particularly common with private universities, so Thanyaporn Buathong visited Krirk university near Bangkok to find out why. Shamans and Indonesian politics Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, but many people are also very superstitious. So during elections, many politicians turn to shamans to give them the edge over their opponents, as Hanna Samosir of BBC Indonesian reports. Nigeria's youth curling team A group of Nigerian teenagers known as "The Broomzillas" have made history as the first curling team from Africa to appear at the Winter Youth Olympics which opened in South Korea last week. BBC Africa sports journalist Emmanuel Akindubuwa met the team to find out what obstacles they'd overcome to get there. "Hunting" foreigners A debate emerged in Vietnam about the term and practice of 'hunting foreigners'. Many students seek out English speakers to practice their linguistic skills on, and while many tourists are happy to oblige, others find it intrusive or inappropriate. BBC Vietnamese's Thuong Le explains the debate, while BBC Chinese's Yan Chen remembers his own English hunting days. (Photo: Blue informal fuel trade trucks on Pakistani Balochistan border with Iran. Credit: BBC)

Nigeria's youth curling team, the Broomzillas, are Africa's first curling team to reach a Winter Youth Olympics. Their journey to the 2024 Gangwon Games in South Korea hasn't been easy. They've struggled with funding and of course, as Nigeria doesn't have freezing weather, access to ice to train is incredibly difficult. We speak to two of the team - Tomi and Fatiu. So how do they get ready for the competition? Also, BBC Africa sports reporter, Isaiah Akinremi, takes us through the wider picture across the African continent and the challenge athletes face to break into winter sports.Plus, Ghana is getting back some of its most treasured artefacts… but only on loan. They were looted from the Asante royal court by the British one hundred and fifty years ago. They ended up in a London museum which has now agreed to lend them back for three years. The BBC's Ghana correspondent, Thomas Naadi, tells us that many want the move to be permanent. Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Alex Rhodes and Baldeep Chahal Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

At the weekend, Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as President of the Democratic Republic of Congo – starting his second term in office. Last week on the podcast we talked about whether democracy and the political classes were doing anything to improve the lives of normal citizens across the country. And today we're taking a closer look at the Eastern DRC – where decades of war has left millions killed or displaced. Despite ongoing fighting between government forces and the M23 rebels and other armed groups, Tshisekedi's government has demanded that regional and UN peacekeepers leave the region – arguing both have failed to stop the violence, and accusing the East African Community forces of colluding with the rebels. In this episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja discusses the implications of the peacekeeping forces' departure with Goma-based journalist Akilimali Saleh and BBC Africa's security correspondent, Ian Wafula.

On the podcast in November last year we heard the terrible stories of South Africans who'd lost their loved ones to cholera. Then, the disease was sweeping across Southern Africa and was causing a public health crisis in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and Cameroon. Now, just two months later – Zambia is scrambling to contain the disease with more than 9,500 people affected.Since 2023, 13 countries in the region have battled one of the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region in years and, as of 15 January 2024, more than 200,000 cases, including over 3000 deaths, have been reported.Africa Daily's Alan Kasujja discusses with BBC Africa's Health Correspondent Dorcas Wangira why this preventable disease is proving so hard to control.

In Kenya, palliative care - which involves end of life care for terminally ill patients - is often treated with suspicion. There's a deep taboo around speaking about the death of a person before it happens, which is thought to be like welcoming it. Some feel that taking up end of life care indicates that you've lost faith in the power of a healing God to cure your illness. But serious and complex illnesses like cancer are becoming more common in Kenya, and end of life care is a much-needed service for people facing death. In Eldoret, Western Kenya, a group of Christians have made it their life's work to defy the stigma, and to help those with terminal illnesses find peace in their final days. Kimbilio Hospice, run by a Christian charity called Living Room International, was established by Pastor David Tarus over a decade ago. The hospice provides specialist medical care to ease symptoms at the very end of a patient's life, but often they first have to convince patients' families that it's OK to accept the facility's help. BBC Africa reporter Esther Ogola visited the hospice to see what exactly that entails.

We need precious metals to run green tech but what's the cost of mining them? Norway has approved commercial-scale deep-sea mining off its shores in the hunt for precious metals which are in high demand for green technologies. However, environmental scientists warn it could be devastating for marine life. Climate reporter Esme Stallard takes us through the controversial plans.One of the metals Norway is looking for is cobalt. Currently the world's main source of cobalt lies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where miners toil in often poor conditions and armed conflict in the country has contributed to what the United Nations says is one of the “largest humanitarian crises in the world”.BBC Africa's Wedaeli Chibelushi describes the picture in the country and explains why some TikTokers are quitting vaping because of mines in the DRC.Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Alex Rhodes and Adam Chowdhury Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Presented by Irena TaranyukA stalled front line and diplomatic challenges - we look at the pressures on Ukraine with Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. And Daria Taradai of BBC Ukrainian tells us about the return to Kyiv of hundreds of ancient Scythian treasures from Crimea, which were on loan to a European museum when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Their arrival in Kyiv follows almost 10 years of legal battles with Russia.Pilgrimage to Aksum Thousands of pilgrims recently made their way to Aksum in Ethiopia, for a religious holiday taking place for the first time since the end of the civil war in the northern region of Tigray. Aksum is a holy site for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who say it is home to the Ark of the Covenant. BBC Tigrinya's Girmay Gebru, who's based in the regional capital Mekelle, travelled to Aksum to talk to local people and visitors.HIV and sterilisation: a legal victory in Kenya After a nine-year legal battle, four Kenyan women living with HIV have shared their stories with BBC Africa, of how they were sterilised without informed consent. They have now received compensation, and the recognition that the procedures they went through at a public hospital were carried out because of their HIV status. Health correspondent Dorcas Wangira tells us about meeting them, and the legal significance of this ruling. Lost and found: Indonesia's rare echidna Pristine forests, crystal clear water, and an ancient species of animal that was believed to be extinct - BBC Indonesian's Famega Syavira travelled to northeastern Papua to report on the rediscovery of Attenborough's long-beaked echidna. Previously, the only evidence of this rare species of the egg-laying mammal was a dead specimen in a Dutch museum, collected 60 years ago. (Photo: A copy of the Scythian Pectoral exhibited in the Treasury of the National Museum of History of Ukraine. Credit: Pavlo Bahmut/Getty Images)

It's been another sensational athletics season with multiple gold medallists and world record breaking performances on the track, the road and in the field.From the highs of the World Championships in Budapest to Diamond League glory and marathon supremacy, who are the athletes who have impressed the most in 2023?Sportsworld's Lee James is joined by The Warm Up Track's Ed Harry and Ade Adedoyin who name their top 10 athletes of the year, with additional insight from BBC Africa's Celestine Karoney.Image: Noah Lyles of Team United States reacts after winning the Men's 4x100m Relay Final during day eight of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on August 26, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Following the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7th October, conservationists have been using unconventional methods to locate the bodies of the dead. Its civilian Nature and Parks Authority is using tracking devices on rare migratory birds to help locate the missing, passing information on where they stop onto the authorities. It says one eagle has helped recover four bodies, as BBC Arabic's Michael Shuval reports. Indonesia's village influencers Two young village women in Indonesia have become surprise social media stars for their video posts about simple village life. BBC Indonesian's Trisha Husada spoke to Lika and Nia to find out more about their lives. The life and legacy of Iranian singer 'Golpa' Many Iranians have been mourning the loss of one their most prominent vocalists, Akbar Golpayegani who has died, aged 90. His performances on Tehran's 'Radio Golha Programmes' between 1953 and 1979 helped popularise traditional Persian music, but his career stalled after the Islamic Revolution when, like many artists, he was forced into silence. Faraj Balafkan has been covering the story for BBC Persian. Freeing Luis Díaz Sr: Colombia and the ELN It's a week since the father of Liverpool FC player Luis Díaz was handed over by Colombian guerrilla group the ELN after being held for twelve days. BBC Monitoring in Miami's Luis Fajardo is Colombian, and explains what the story reveals about the difficult situation in Columbia right now. Tree planting in Kenya Kenyan's were granted a special tree-planting holiday on Monday as part of a government initiative to plant 15 billion trees over ten years. BBC Africa journalist Kenneth Mungai spent some time at a site near the river Athi meeting residents involved in the project. (Photo: A white-tailed eagle. Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In 2015 the price of crude oil fell and since then Nigeria has struggled with a shortage of foreign currency- dollars. It led the previous government to place restrictions on who could access dollars through the official markets – including banning the use of foreign exchange for the importation of 43 items including rice, cooking oil, tooth picks, and cement. That ban has now been lifted as part of a series of reforms introduced by Nigeria's current government. When President Bola Tinubu came to power in May this year he criticised the past policies of the central bank and accused it of mismanaging the foreign exchange crisis. But can his policies improve the situation? For today's Africa Daily, Peter Musembi speaks to BBC Africa's business correspondent Nkechi Ogbonna in Lagos.

There has been a spate of protests across Syria, with unrest spilling into areas which were previously strongholds of support for President Bashar al-Assad. Anger at poor living conditions has spiralled into calls for political change. Amira Fathalla is a Middle East specialist with BBC Monitoring and she tells us why this is so significant. A new image for millet in Nepal The United Nations is encouraging farmers around the world to plant more millet, and has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. In Nepal, the crop fell out of favour with some people, being considered a food for the poor. BBC Nepali's Bishnu Pokarel tells us how a growing awareness of its health benefits is transforming its image. Boxing returns to Zanzibar after nearly 60 years Boxing fans in Zanzibar last week witnessed their first tournament on the island in almost six decades. A ban which had been imposed in 1964 was lifted in September last year by the president. BBC Africa's Alfred Lasteck attended the much anticipated tournament. The bloggers selling Russia's war Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia's pro-war influencers have gained millions of followers on social media. They frequently embed themselves with the Russian army and post footage from the front line, calling on young Russians to enlist. Grigor Atanesian has investigated their activities for the BBC Disinformation Unit. The catacombs of Lima Beneath the streets of the Peruvian capital Lima lies a network of tunnels and crypts, which served as a vast underground cemetery for hundreds of years. Many of these catacombs remain unexplored, but some are open to the public. One recent visitor was BBC Mundo's Guillermo Olmo. (Photo: People protesting in Syria's southern city of Sweida, September 2023. Credit: Sam Hariri/AFP via Getty Images)

Officials in Ethiopia's Tigray region have reported that more than 1,400 have died of starvation since international food aid was suspended a few months ago. Deliveries were halted after reports of widespread theft and corruption, but the impact has been catastrophic for many people living there. BBC Tigrinya's Girmay Gebru tells us what he's seen in displaced people's camps in the region, where people are forced to beg to survive. ‘With my own eyes': witnessing historic moments in Azerbaijan A new BBC Azerbaijani series hears from people who witnessed key moments in the country's history. Presenter Vusal Hamzayev tells us about one guest, Alexey Manvelyan, who's BBC Azerbaijani's correspondent in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Alexey recalls the era when Azerbaijan and Armenia were part of the Soviet Union. He, like many Armenians, lived in Azerbaijan, and many Azerbaijanis lived in Armenia. Then war broke out over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh. Africa's first English slave fort An archaeological dig in Ghana has discovered what is thought to be the first English slave fort in Africa. Parts of the foundations of Fort Kormantine, as well as 17th century artefacts, were discovered beneath the existing Fort Amsterdam, ending decades of speculation. BBC Africa's Favour Nunoo visited the site and met those making the discoveries. Ecuador votes against oil extraction in the Amazon The Yasuni National Park in Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world and home to the country's last remaining uncontacted tribes. But the discovery of oil there 20 years ago divided Ecuadorians, with some wanting the park to remain untouched, and others arguing that this oil was vital for economic development. Now a referendum has decided to ban oil extraction. BBC Mundo's Ana Maria Roura explains why this area and this decision are so unique. Jakarta tops the list of polluted cities Earlier this month, Jakarta was ranked the world's most polluted city. The government has instructed civil servants to work from home, blaming vehicle emissions and global warming, but some experts claim that the power plants which surround the city are to blame. BBC Indonesian's Trisha Husada has been following one of the, literally, hottest topics in the country. (Photo: Tigrayan woman and her children in an IDP camp in Shire. Credit: BBC)

BBC Urdu's Saher Baloch follows in the dirt tracks of the petrol smugglers bringing fuel from Iran into the border town of Mashkel in Balochistan, and onwards into the markets of Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Vietnam's coffee culture Vietnam's coffee culture is vibrant and unique, with popular coffee orders that include egg yolk and even fruit. Which may explain why international chains have failed to conquer the market, as BBC Vietnamese's Thuong Le explains. Inside the "Well of Death" The so-called Well of Death is a traditional show at fairs in India, where stunt drivers defy gravity to ride cars and motorbikes around the inner walls of a huge barrel-shaped structure. BBC Delhi's Anshul Verma watched them in action. Seedlings for healthcare in Madagascar A scheme in Madagascar is giving free healthcare in exchange for tree seedlings, to improve the health of rural communities and fight deforestation. Elphas Lagat of BBC Africa went to Madagascar to see how it works. South Korean fishers and Fukushima The International Atomic Energy Agency this week approved a Japanese plan to start releasing treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Many in South Korea fear the impact on their fishing industry, and health, as BBC Korean's Yuna Ku reports. (Photo: Blue Zamyad smuggling truck loaded with petrol cannisters in Pakistan. Credit: BBC)

The Kicheko Project April Fools Comedy Jam 2023 was a blast . Hilarious Seattle comics join forces with the next African -born music stars and get the audience rolling in the aisle with their quick wits, wry observations, and no-holds-barred humor. With a family spread across five continents , The Kicheko Project brings a unique international perspective to stand up . Dubai Denis Maronga (formerly known as General Mutombo) is a Kenyan stand-up comedian, actor and MC. He has been a big name on the diaspora stand-up circuit for 7 years, despite flying under the radar of most mainstream and international audiences. In addition to performing at clubs, theaters and festivals across the US, he has won the AAA best comedian of the year 2020 and 2022 and headlined The US Africa's Princes Of Comedy Tour 2021 as the Outstanding Comedian of the Year (CNN, BBC Africa ). Whether he's discussing cell phone addiction, failed relationships, missed fatherhood, Running battles with Immigration or freedom of speech, you're guaranteed a unique voice and sentences that end with strong punchlines. #standup #comedy #standupcomedy #comedian #funny #humor #jokes #comedia #love #sup #memes #standuppaddle #comedyclub #comedians #comedyshow #standupcomedian --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theafricanexcellistpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theafricanexcellistpodcast/support

A year ago India evacuated thousands of students, mostly studying medicine, from Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Their arrival home was greeted with great thanks and fanfare, so why have more than a thousand felt compelled to return? BBC Hindi's Jugal Purohit has been finding out. Chicken poop power A farmer in Kenya has developed an original way of tackling the rising cost of living, using chicken droppings to make biogas which produces electricity for his farm. BBC Africa business journalist Sara Adam went to meet him. The Javanese diaspora in Suriname More than 70,000 people in Suriname, around 15% of the population, are of Javanese ancestry. In the 19th century, Dutch colonisers recruited thousands of Indonesians from Java to work on plantations in Suriname. More than a century later, the Javanese Surinamese still keep their heritage alive. Mohamad Susilo from BBC Indonesian visited Suriname to meet some of them. Reporting Lebanon's financial meltdown The Lebanese lira has been in freefall as the country experiences a financial meltdown. Prices are constantly rising and many people are struggling to survive. For Carine Torbey, the BBC correspondent in Beirut, it's a story she has to live as well as report. Investigating the ‘pig butchering' romance scam One of the most successful global online romance scams, known as ‘pig butchering', is run by criminal gangs in South East Asia. World Service journalist Zhaoyin Feng worked with the BBC Eye Investigation team, travelling from Boston to Phnom Penh to meet victims and former scammers. (Photo: Indian medical students who've returned to Ukraine. Credit: BBC)

This episode contains description of violence and sex. ___________________________________________________________________________ Two women in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, have spoken to the BBC about how they got drawn into the underground world of sex work. Both say they became caught in a world of parties and drugs and felt they had few options open to them after being forced to leave home as young women. In Somalia's conservative society, women are usually expected to live at home until marriage. The sex workers – who were featured in a BBC Africa online article – describe their ongoing fear of assault and rape. They say they can't approach the authorities if they're attacked. For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja listens to their accounts, and speaks to the journalists behind the report. Presenter: @kasujja Guests: @Mohamed_Gabobe and @Layla_mood