Africa Daily

As Tanzania gears up for elections on 29 October, we hear from two young people about the issues that matter to them and whether youth concerns have been featured in the electoral campaigns.How a young Senegalese footballer's dream of joining a professional club ended in tragedy after he was tricked and lured to Ghana by fake football agents.And how Africa is rapidly becoming a compelling destination for outsourcing services.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

A BBC investigation uncovers dozens of social accounts using stolen identities of Somali and Muslim influencers and posting political propaganda content. We hear more about what was uncovered and who might be behind this widespread operation.Chad’s parliament has overwhelmingly approved a controversial constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits. What will this mean for 41-year-old President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s hold on power?And why the Kenyan Catholic Church took the decision to introduce a new brand of altar wine.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar and Elphas Lagat Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Sam Murunga

The last ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been released from a treatment centre in Kasai province. Can the country now be declared free of this latest outbreak?What is behind the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea over control of the Red Sea?And we hear from the Nigerian scientist, who has been recognised with a global award from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, on how her pioneering work is protecting yam and cassava crops and making them more resilient.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Alfonso Daniels Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

An elite military unit says it has seized power in Madagascar from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests. Where did it all go wrong for the entrepreneur and former DJ, who first became president in 2009 when he was just 34.Being a park ranger in Africa can be one of the most dangerous professions in the world. We hear from a ranger at Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, who, with a group of others, has picked up an international award for his work.And Ghana’s iconic kente cloth has been officially recognised and granted protected status as a national heritage fabric.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Alfonso Daniels and Ryan Johnson Technical Producers: Chris Kouzaris and Sarah Kimberley Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Mali's military government is reportedly engaged in talks with the militant group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) amid an ongoing blockade which has paralysed a key trade route for fuel, food, and essential goods. Could the crisis also threaten Mali’s stability and governance?A BBC Africa Eye investigation in Cape Town, South Africa, reveals how self-appointed healers and shamans are openly using psychedelic drugs as part of treatment for mental health issues.And if you are in a relationship, do you have 'a swag gap'? We hear more about the new phrase that is going viral on social media and whether being more stylish and confident than your partner can be a deal breaker.Presenter: Nyasha Michelle Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Mark Wilberforce and Joseph Keen Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Waihiga Mwaura, Botswana's President Duma Boko, outlines his plan to reduce his country's reliance on the diamond industry amid falling global demand, and how he is pushing for a 0% tariff deal with the US.Guinea is showing signs of economic progress under the military-led regime. What is driving the country's economic growth?And more than 200 million people worldwide are infected by schistosomiasis - also known as bilharzia - which is a disease caused by parasitic worms. The majority of those affected live in sub-Saharan Africa. How can the disease be prevented?Presenter : Nyasha Michelle Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Stefania Okereke in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The International Criminal Court concludes hearings into war crime charges against the Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony and will decide whether he should face trial. But who is Joseph Kony and what are the charges against him? How some South African schools are fighting childhood obesity. And as Malawi gears up for elections, how can the participation and representation of women in the country's politics be increased?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar and Priya Sippy in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ethiopia opens Africa's largest hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river deepening a rift with Egypt and Sudan.Authorities in the US have arrested two suspected leaders of the Cameroon separatists' military wing. We find out more about the charges against the two men, and why Cameroon has been blighted by a conflict between armed separatists and government forces in the country's mainly anglophone North West and South West regions. And following the canonisation of London-born teenager Carlo Acutis in a ceremony presided over by Pope Leo in Vatican City, what is the process of becoming a saint?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Makouchi Okafor in Lagos and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Nick Randell Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Zambia's former Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji has been sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour after being convicted, along with a co-accused of corruption. President Hakainde Hichilema promised to root out corruption when he swept to power four years ago, is he now delivering on that pledge?In Egypt, dozens of teenage TikTok influencers have been arrested in recent weeks on charges such as violating family values, indecency and money laundering. We hear more on why authorities are getting tough with digital content creators.And the Congolese word Liboke is a new entry in a French dictionary, but why has the given definition upset people in the DRC?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Ayuba Iliya was in Lagos Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A landslide that followed days of heavy rain, has killed hundreds of people in the remote Marra Mountains in western Sudan, and many survivors may still be trapped in deep valleys. How do aid agencies help people hit by a natural disaster but also caught in the middle of a war?   A new report details an increase in disappearances, kidnappings and torture in Tanzania.  We hear from relatives looking for their family members.   And a new study warns that people are using digital platforms like TikTok to sell the meat of endangered animals. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Sunita Nahar and Priya Sippy in London. Charles Gitonga and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Two years on from the devastating fire at an abandoned building in Johannesburg that was occupied by squatters, how much has changed? We revisit the scene of one of South Africa's worst tragedies, in which more than 70 people - including children - died, to find out what happened to the survivors.Scientists warn that global warming and climate change could be making flight turbulence more frequent. Will bumpier skies put people off air travel?And lawyers are arguing for easier divorce laws in Uganda. So what are the pros and cons of no-fault, as opposed to, fault divorces?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Sunita Nahar and Priya Sippy in London. Makuochi Okafor in Lagos Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

A new Human Rights Watch report says the EU's and Spain’s outsourcing of migration control to Mauritania has worsened abuses against asylum seekers and migrants heading for Europe, but the Mauritanian authorities reject those claims. Why are cybercrimes on the rise in Africa and how can you stay safe?And we find out why the population of one of Kenya's iconic tourist attractions - flamingos - is in decline.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Priya Sippy in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

There are fears that the mass starvation cult in Kenya is still active after the discovery of new bodies in fresh graves near the site of the Shakahola forest massacre. So far, eleven people have been arrested in connection with these new exhumations. We hear from a Rapid Response Officer, working with a human rights organisation, who has been helping people track down missing relatives.Why are African students ending up on the battlefields of Ukraine after applying to study in Russia?And France returns the remains of a Malagasy king who was beheaded during the colonial era. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Sunita Nahar, Alfonso Daniels, Tanya Hines, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Japan has pledged to work more closely with African countries at global summit on economic development. How can Africa benefit from stronger ties with Japan?The former prime minister of Chad is facing a 20-year prison term after being convicted of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. Who is Succès Masra and what sparked the intercommunal violence that led to the charges against him?And did you know there are four distinct species of the African giraffe? We find out why that discovery is important for conservation.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

Two prominent journalists in Ethiopia, Abdulsemed Mohammed and Yonas Amare, have been missing for more than a week after being abducted by what reports say, were men wearing masks and military uniforms. There has been no news about their whereabouts but their disappearances have raised concerns about a crackdown on media freedom in the country. Aid agencies warn that a surge in the number of people with the respiratory illness diphtheria is becoming 'the most urgent and dangerous threat' to public health in Somalia. Why are cases of the disease increasing?And how the conflict on the ground in Sudan is affecting migratory birds in the sky.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London. Richard Kagoe in Nairobi Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The US government has approved a $346m arms deal with Nigeria which would include munitions, precision bombs and precision rockets. What is behind the change in a decade-long US policy about selling certain kinds of weapons to Nigeria?The mining of gold has been a key driver of Sudan's economy, and now it is a major source of funding of the two-year civil war. We look back at its history in Sudan, and its role in the current conflict.And one year on since Ghana's parliament passed its landmark Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, which was hailed as a victory for women's rights, how have things changed?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Doctors Without Borders and other NGOs have raised concerns about anti-migrant groups preventing non-South Africans from accessing healthcare services. The South African government has called on all communities to uphold the rule of law, respect human dignity. So why are activists blocking health clinics and hospitals? The African Union sends a delegation to South Sudan to encourage the warring sides in the country to revive a 2018 peace deal and pave the way for elections. Can they bring both sides back to the table? And as Africa Fashion Week London comes to an end, how can African fashion leverage its global appeal?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

What began as a three-day strike by taxi drivers against rising petrol prices in Angola, has escalated into one of the most widespread and disruptive waves of protest the country has seen in recent years. What has life been like in the capital Luanda, against the background of the unrest?Why do fewer than a quarter of South Africans trust their police service? A new survey shows only 22% of South Africans have any confidence in the institution.And we meet the Nigerian filmmaker, Joel Kachi Benson, who won an Emmy for a film he made about the young boy dancing in the rain who thrilled the world in a viral video a few years ago.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

This week the International Criminal Court sentenced two commanders of a civilian militia in the Central African Republic to a total of 27 years in prison. One of them, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, had formerly been the head of the country’s football federation. What was the conflict that engulfed CAR a decade ago, and what were the crimes that led to the ICC convictions?Also in this episode, the impact that continuing aid cuts are having on women and girls in Somalia.And we uncover the melodic contributions of Congo's queens of rumba music.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Yvette Twagiramarya, Sunita Nahar and Tanya Hines in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The city of Goma in the conflict-hit east of the Democratic Republic of Congo was seized by the M23 armed group earlier this year after intense fighting with government forces. How has the city changed after six months under the group’s control?After retired police officers in Nigeria held demonstrations earlier this week calling for better pensions, we look at wider pension provision and ask if young Nigerians see pension planning as a secure path to protecting their retirement in the future? And could there be a new type of diabetes that accounts for the rising number of cases among young people in Africa.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Burkina Faso's military rulers have disbanded the country's electoral commission calling it a waste of money. The government says the interior ministry will handle elections in the future. Will this move by the ruling junta further delay democratic elections?Hundreds of thousands of premature deaths occur each year in Africa due to illnesses caused by cooking with polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and even animal dung. So what is being done to ensure more people have access to clean cooking?And why are ancient and cultural heritage sites in Ethiopia facing a crisis.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle in London Technical Producer: Philip Bull Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Cameroon's Paul Biya has the distinction of being 'the world's oldest sitting president' and yet at age 92, he is seeking to run for an eighth term, that will see him serve until he is almost 100 years old. How much popular support does he have, and how strong is the opposition?Sudan's newly appointed prime minister, Kamal Idris, has named his cabinet ministers who will form his "government of hope". How will they function in the country still in the grip of war?And after the announcement by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is complete and will be officially inaugurated in September, why has US President Donald Trump weighed in on the long-running dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the giant construction?Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Mark Wilberforce Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan Senior Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ghanaian authorities have rescued more than 70 young men from a trafficking ring in Nigeria. The men thought they were heading for football contracts or overseas opportunities. Why has football become a gateway for trafficking? Leaders from five African countries - Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal - have been invited to a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. What will they discuss? And we hear how women in Morocco are keeping the art of rug-weaving alive, and how traditional rugs are a symbol of cultural identity. Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Yvette Twagiramariya, Alfonso Daniels and Sunita Nahar in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalists: Karnie Sharp and Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Karnie Sharp

Angola was certified as polio-free in 2015, but is now combating a new outbreak of the disease after several cases were reported in a Western province. What has caused the virus to come back?A new report says Islamist militants are using Starlink technology to ramp up operational capabilities in Niger. And why are South Sudanese women fashion's favourites and are being sought after on the catwalk?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Alfonso Daniels in London Senior Producers: Patricia Whitehorne and Richard Kagoe Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Russia says the paramilitary group Wagner has accomplished its mission and has left Mali, although a Russian presence remains in the West African country, through the Africa Corps. So what did the Wagner Group achieve?Why has a separatist movement on the tiny, remote island of Annobón that is part of Equatorial Guinea, appealed to Argentina for support with its independence claim?And new research shows that Africa now has more Christians than any other continent, surpassing Europe for the first time. We discuss what is driving that growth.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Alfonso Daniels, Nyasha Michelle, Victor Sylver and Joseph Keen Technical Producer: Craig Kingham Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

A South African woman, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn have been given life sentences after being convicted of trafficking her missing 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The case has captivated and horrified audiences around the world. It has also highlighted the wider issue of human trafficking in South Africa. An anti-trafficking campaigner responds to the rulling and explains the extend of problem in the country. Also, Kenya and Mayotte sign a trade deal to boost economic ties. What will be traded?And a tribute to and exploration of, Kenya's literary giant Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who has died at the age of 87.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Tom Kavanagh and Amie Liebowitz in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

US embassies globally have halted student visa appointments, as social media vetting expands. How is Africa affected?Why is Zimbabwe's controversial radio tax now being implemented?  And how can AI predict and prevent child malnutrition in Kenya?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Russia's 13th International Security Summit in Moscow attracts over forty African leaders. How significant is it and what does it mean for the continent, especially for the Sahel? Also, Boeing seals a deal with the US Department of Justice over the fatal crashes of two 737 Max aircraft that killed hundreds of people. One family who lost their son and daughter-in-law in the 2019 Ethiopian plane crash share their reaction with us. And the impact of the temporary closure of Ghana's embassy in US over an alleged visa scandal.Presenter: Blessing Aderogba Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Uganda cuts military ties with Germany following diplomatic rift.Somalia's government moves to control clan militias fighting al-Shabab - after allegations of serious atrocities.And will Starlink's strategy of 'winning big by thinking small' help them cover the African continent?Presenter:  Blessing Aderogba Producers: Bella Hassan, Tom Kavanagh and Yvette Twagiramariya. Technical Producer Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The big stories from across the continent and the African perspective on major global stories. Africa Daily has now closed. You will get Focus on Africa episodes here this week. For future episodes, search for Focus on Africa, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

“My responsibilities as a captain became more… A player would receive a call telling him he’d lost a brother or a relative or a dear one.”After war broke out in Sudan, the football team Al Hilal Omdurman had to flee from Khartoum like many of those around them. They spent months looking for a new home, but eventually were welcomed to Mauritania where they have played competitively in the league there. They've now finished top of the league with two games to play. In this final episode of Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja looks at how footballers and athletes have continued to compete at the highest levels – despite facing tragedy and loss.GUESTS: Al Hilal captain Mohamed Abdelrahman Al Hilal Executive secretary Yasir Hassan, Sudan’s National Olympics Committee President Ahmed Hashim.From next week, you can hear stories from Africa on the Focus on Africa Podcast.

Today, Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje sits down with Johannesburg mother Mankepe Matsoakeletse. Her daughter, seven-year-old Agnes, went missing in August 1989. She hasn’t stopped searching for her. “I do not know if she is alive or struggling or if she is eating. That's why I cannot give up. I cannot forget because I do not know what kind of life she is living where she is, if she is still alive”, she says. This conversation comes as South Africa will be commemorating Child Protection Week, between the 29th of May and June the 5th. According to the police, almost 700 youngsters were reported missing between 2023 and 2024. More than 470 of them were found and reunited with their families, the rest were either found dead or never accounted for at all. Tragically, the trend continued the following year, with more than 200 youngsters losing their lives or vanishing without a trace. Mpho will also be hearing from Bianca van Aswegeng and Brigadier Attie Lamprecht of the South African Police Service.

12 year old Mary has spent most of her life in an Internally Displaced People’s camp in north-east Nigeria. Her family were driven out of their village by militants Boko Haram- a group whose exploits have left millions in the region displaced. Over 3 million people have been displaced in Nigeria and more than half of that number are children. This have also contributed to the north’s reputation for having the highest number of children out of school. But over the last year a very different world has opened up for Mary, and it’s all because of chess. She’s won medals and competed in tournaments in the United States. She was taught to play by chess coach Vivian Ibrahim, a woman who believes chess could help children in these camps to get back into education. In today’s episode Alan Kasujja speaks to Mary and her mother Hanatu about their journey. He also speaks to Vivian about the power of chess.

Anyone who has spent time in hospital will know just how vital nurses are. They’re often the people we have the most contact with as they look after our comfort as well as our medical care. But the role of nurses is expanding. They are taking on more medical responsibilities and are becoming leaders in healthcare. Alan Kasujja speaks to Khadija Mohamed Juma, a Kenyan nurse who has been revolutionizing blood donation in the country. And also to Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a nurse from Ghana who has been leading the development of oncology nursing in Ghana.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains references to violence against children, which some listeners may find distressing.Three young girls - Ingrid Maasdorp, Rosvind Fabian and Beyoncé Kharuxas - were found dead in the Namibian town of Okahandja within weeks of each other.Their deaths, though separate, shared chilling similarities and sparked a wave of grief, protests and urgent calls for justice.What do these tragedies reveal about gender-based violence in Namibia? How are families and communities confronting their grief and demanding change?BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to grieving grandmother Dollie Maasdorp, Windhoek-based journalist Frauke Jensen and former teacher and activist Jané Lowesi, who helped lead one of the first protests.

It’s more than six years since Joseph Kabila stepped down as President of the Democratic Republic of Congo…handing over power to Felix Tshisekedi. And yet Mr Kabila’s presence still looms large over politics in the country. On Thursday the Senate in the DRC began to examine an indictment request against Mr Kabila. On today’s episode, a senior member of Mr Kabila’s party responds to the prospect of him losing immunity. And helps us get to the bottom of reports that he has returned to the country. Francine Muyumba is a member of Mr Kabila’s People’s Party for the Reconstruction and Democracy, a lawyer and former Senator herself.

This week the first group of Afrikaners arrived in the United States, as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to resettle them in his country. President Trump alleges that this ethnic group is being targeted. “It’s a genocide that’s taking place that you people don’t want to write about. But it’s a terrible thing that’s taking place, and white farmers are being brutally killed and their land is being confiscated in South Africa. And the newspapers and the media, television media doesn’t even talk about it”, he recently told reporters. But his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa hit back. “We are the only country on the continent where the colonizers came to stay and we have never driven them out of our country”. The latest developments come as the two heads of state are preparing to meet in the coming days, to discuss their political fallout. In this episode, Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja attempts to find out if Afrikaners are really being persecuted in South Africa. Guests: AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel, AgriSA CEO Johann Kotze and political commentator Advocate Dwight Snyman

“Even the patients, their relatives had to carry them on make-shift stretchers trying to escape. We had 38 cholera patients and they all fled. Which means they spread the disease in other areas, and some of them might have died in the bush.” Tensions have escalated in South Sudan in recent weeks after the Vice President was put under house arrest and his key allies were detained. In Upper Nile and Jonglei states, violence between a militia allied to the VP and forces loyal to the President forced patients to flee from hospitals that came under attack. So, how did hospitals become a target? And is there any hope in sight? Alan Kasujja speaks to Zakaria Mwatia - MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan - and Dr Abraham Kuol Nyoun, professor of Political Science at the University of Juba.

The number of African countries now allowing Elon Musk’s company Starlink to provide internet services has been growing rapidly - six have granted permission in 2025 alone. And there are reports that Uganda might be next. Starlink can be cheaper than some traditional internet providers and has been seen as a way to provide internet access to communities that are hard to reach. But does it come at a cost to governments who might have less control over internet access? And what does it mean for local economies if a big, international company has access to the market? Alan Kasujja speaks to Temidayo Onionsun; a Nigerian space scientist, and Juliet Nanfuka, a digital rights activist and member of the African Digital Rights Network.

“90% of Somali people don’t know the value of art. That is the problem.”Maslah Abdi Dahir has been threatened by the Islamist insurgent group Al Shabaab who believe portraiture is ‘haram’ or forbidden under Islam. Other Somalis have told him art is a waste of time with so many people out of work.But the Prime Minister spotted and praised his work and he has 250K followers on TikTok. So what drives the 28 year old founder of Mogadishu’s art centre and school?For today’s Africa Daily, Peter Musembi speaks with Maslah Abdi Dahir – and one of his students Anisa Abdulahi Farah.Produced by Mohamed Gabobe in Mogadishu.

The government of Zimbabwe is pressing ahead with compensating white citizens who lost their farms due to the country’s land reform programme. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently told the media that the time has come. “We struck an agreement a few years back and we have now begun to honour that agreement”The controversial law, which was introduced in the year 2000, led to at least 4,000 white citizens being kicked out of their farms to make way for their black counterparts. The then president Robert Mugabe argued that he was addressing historical injustices. During the colonial era, much of the country's best and arable land was reserved for the white population. Black farmers were forced onto marginal areas. But some farmers are rejecting the offer made by president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje finds out why this is such a complex matter.Guests: Ish Mafundikwa, Harry Orphanides, Ben Freeth, Professor Mandivamba Rukuni and Taruvinga Magwiroto

“Immediately you say I am menopausal or I’m approaching 40 years, in our culture they will brand you as an old person.” Do you know what the menopause and perimenopause are? It can mean hot flushes, sore limbs, brain fog and depression – but the symptoms are almost as varied as women are. All women will go through it – but many people don’t know anything about it. Two women on the continent who are determined to change that are Irene Ngadire, head of Menopause Initiative Uganda, and Nigerian Sherry Nwadike, who’s going through the menopause herself. PRESENTER: Mimi Fawaz @mimosafawaz GUESTS: Irene Ngadire and Sherry Nwadike

Cardinals from around the world are meeting at the Vatican to elect the next head of the catholic church in a secret conclave. There are thought to have been three popes from Africa in the past, but the last of those was more than 1,500 years ago. So, could the new pope come from Africa? And what is at stake for the continent as the catholic church chooses its next leader? Alan Kasujja speaks to Reverend Professor Paulinus Odozor, a Professor of Theology and African Studies at Notre Dame University.

‘’When the bush is on fire, the chameleon must abandon the walking styles of its ancestors.’’Save the Children Fund says international aid cuts have significantly impacted school feeding programs in Africa, affecting millions of children who rely on these meals. Across the continent 86 million children benefit from subsidised programmes which make sure that even those below the poverty line can get at least one nutritious meal a day. In this episode of Africa Daily podcast Peter Musembi explores new research which suggests ways countries can fund their own programmes – and become more resilient.He speaks to Betty Kibaara who works on school feeding programmes at the Rockefeller Foundation - which also co-produced the report.

Aano Qabiil - or Clan Vengeance - is a short film which explores the vendettas between clans which have led to many senseless deaths in Somalia. One of the actors in the film is veteran poet and songwriter, Guudey Mohamed Geedi. He plays a man who tries to intervene to stop the owner of the teashop from being killed by a rival clan. After filming finished, Guudey Mohamed Geedi went to his village outside Warsheikh, in the Middle Shabelle region, to see his family. He was shot dead outside his home by armed men. Africa Daily’s Peter Musembi has been speaking to BBC Somali journalist Abdinasir Ali about how the tragedy has started a discussion about clan revenge killings.

“This was on another level, but a typical Nigerian wedding is usually big, bold, and rich in tradition and culture - it's a show of our heritage.”When Tanzanian music star Juma Jux married Nigerian influencer Priscilla Ojo, the hashtag #JP2025 took over social media feeds across Africa and beyond. Their lavish Lagos wedding had flamboyant fashion, a 15-foot cake entrance, and a celebrity-filled guestlist. It became one of the continent's most talked-about weddings.But in times of economic hardship for many, it also raises deeper questions: What do these extravagant weddings reveal about culture, class, and celebration in Africa today?Mpho Lakaje speaks to Nigerian content creator Anyanwu Chioma, known online as AnChi Vibes, and Tanzanian journalist Meenah Ally, who were both at the wedding.

In January 2024, protests erupted across Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa as Kenyans demanded justice for women killed in a wave of femicides. The government promised action, launching a 90 day task force to deliver recommendations to President William Ruto. But that deadline has long passed and there’s still no clear plan. BBC Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje speaks to feminist activist Editar Ochieng and policy expert Kavinya Makau to explore why progress has stalled, what’s happening behind the scenes and their thoughts on whether Kenya is truly committed to ending femicide.

”It has been a week and a half since we heard that Joseph Kabila was leaving South Africa for DRC. Since then, however, we haven’t heard much more about whether he arrived in Goma” - Goma resident. Last week the news that former President Joseph Kabila had returned to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo grabbed the attention of the world’s media. But why has his presence in that part of the country been such a hot topic, even against the backdrop of a potential, imminent deal between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda? Today on the podcast, Alan Kasujja speaks to the BBC’s Emery Makumeno in Kinshasa, Erik Kennes, a senior research fellow for the Africa Programme, while our reporter Ikaba Koyi gets opinions from residents in Goma.

“I can see that president Trump is trying to play some kind of a chess [game] to put the other nations in the context of a prisoner’s dilemma to say, okay, if I do this, what happens? If I do that, what happens?” - Professor Gowokani Chijere Chirwa, University of Malawi This week, American president Donald Trump will mark 100 days in office. His second tenure at the White House has been marred by controversial Executive Orders and heated exchanges with foreign governments. Some of his decisions, particularly the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have been devastating to many African countries. These funding cuts left millions of HIV and TB patients in limbo. But it was his reciprocal tariffs that truly rattled the world. Even smaller countries like Lesotho who were slapped with a 50% hike and Madagascar who received 47%, were not spared. So, today, Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje finds out what lessons African governments should be taking from the unexpected import tax hikes. Guests: Professor Gowokani Chijere Chirwa and Prosper Chitambara

“This generation of storytellers are ageing. Our elders are ageing. I am the one who needs to start this preservation process — at least in my family,” says Hana Baba, a Sudanese-American journalist and podcaster. Her new podcast, Folktales from Sudan, brings ancient Arabic fables to life in English for the first time. It’s aimed at young people in the diaspora who may not speak the language or have lost their connection to Sudanese traditions. As conflict continues to devastate Sudan and displace millions, Hana believes there’s an urgent need to preserve the stories, humour, and wisdom of her culture, and pass it on to the next generation.