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Focus on Africa: Daily Summaries Delivered
by BBC World Service
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.
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- 2 days ago22 min
Where are Eritrea’s missing political prisoners?
Twenty-five years ago, a group of senior Eritrean politicians known as the G-15 called for democratic reform. Eleven were arrested and accused of treason. They have never been put on trial, and their families still do not know where they are. Human rights groups, including the UN, consider the G-15, prisoners of conscience and have been calling for their release.Among the detained was former defence and foreign minister, Petros Solomon. Two years later, his wife, Asther Yohannes, was also arrested. Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, has been speaking to their daughter, Hanna Petros Solomon about her search for her parents, and UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea, Dr Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker about the fate of those detained.Presenter: Nkechi OgbonnaProducers: Fana Negash and Carolyne JothamTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiSenior Producers: Priyanka SippyEditors: Daniel Dadzie, Maryam Abdalla
- 3 days ago22 min
Who is Morocco's first woman prime minister?
Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been named Morocco's first female prime minister, after her Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam) won the most seats in last week's parliamentary elections. The party secured 97 of the 395 seats in the lower house of parliament, short of an outright majority, which means El Mansouri’s first task will be to build a governing coalition. Speaking at the royal palace after her appointment by King Mohammed VI, El Mansouri described the moment as historic and said it was a source of pride for Moroccan women. And as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence on October 1, we look back at key moments in the country's history, and how plays and films are keeping those stories alive.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Rukia Bulle, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
- 4 days ago22 min
Nigeria's Dangote Kenya refinery breaks ground
Kenya has broken the ground for a new oil refinery backed by Nigerian industrialist and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. The 700,000 barrels per day refinery is believed to be a gamechanger in the energy security and stability of petroleum supply in the East African region. The construction of the $16bn dollar oil refinery in Lamu, coastal Kenya is expected to create about 60,000 jobs and be completed within three years. It hopes to provide 1,000 megawatts of power generation, twice the capacity of his Lagos refinery, serving the needs of the Lamu refinery and beyond.And we hear from Ghana's Abigail Anderson who is using modelling and content creation to raise awareness about the condition and what its like to pursue a career in modelling for people with vitiligoPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Rukia Bulle and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
- 5 days ago22 min
South Africa reels from spate of mass shootings
South Africa is reeling from a series of mass shootings that have left dozens of people dead in less than a week near three of South Africa's biggest cities. One attack happened on Saturday evening when eight gunmen stormed a bar near Johannesburg and opened fire on customers killing 18 people. A few hour later, 10 people were killed in a separate shooting outside an entertainment venue near Cape Town. Police say while robbery appears to be a primary motive, they have not ruled out turf wars between illegal mining groups. And one man is making school desks out of plastic bags to help address Ghana's waste problem. Makafui Awuku is the founder of Mckingtorch Africa, and he recycles the plastic sachet bags into school desksPresenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: , Rukia Bulle and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
- 6 days ago22 min
Ethiopia accuses Sudan, Eritrea of backing armed groups
As heavy fighting resumes between a coalition of armed opposition forces and Ethiopia's federal government, the country's army commander has accused Sudan and Eritrea of backing the rebel groups. Sudan has denied the claimes and described them as baseless. In Tigray, where a deadly war ended in 2022, the regional state broadcaster, Tigray TV went off air on Sunday. Privately-owned news outlet Zara Media Network reported that the station was hit by a drone strike by the federal military. And a new king is set to be crowned in Uganda's Tooro Kingdom on Tuesday, following the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. We hear about the coronation process.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
JAPA: Does migrating pay off?
For millions of young Africans, leaving home in search of better opportunities has become an increasingly attractive option. A recent Afrobarometer survey across 38 African countries found that 55% of young people aged 18–35 have considered emigrating. Roughly 22% would prefer to remain somewhere in Africa, while 60% favour Europe or North America. Among those considering leaving, better work opportunities are the leading motivation, but is this merely about better work opportunities and what would make young Africans stay? Host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Oluwaseyi Makinde, who moved from Nigeria to Canada as a teenager, only to return to Nigeria as an adult, and Omotoke Motunrayo Fatoki who made the move from Nigeria to Rwanda. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Ayuba Iliya, Carolyne Jotham and Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Herbert MasuaSenior Producers: Priyanka Sippy, Blessing Aderogba and Charles GitongaEditors: Daniel Dadzie, Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Ethiopia Tigray fighting sparks fears of new war
Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia between Tigrayan forces and the national army is threatening a return to civil war after four years of peace. On Thursday, The Ethiopian National Defense Force siad it had killed hundrends of Tigray fighters and captured a large number of others. The military described its activity as a counter-attack. Fighting is also escalating in Amhara and Afar regions of Ethiopia. We hear from a resident in Mekelle, Tigray's capital and what this means for the peace and stability of the country. And New York is hosting world leaders for the UN General Assembly. We get on a discussion with Africa's young people to understand if they connect with the policies that affect their future.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Rukia Bulle, Bella Twine and Keikantse Shumba Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
- 1 weeks ago22 min
Chad faces growing Sudan refugee burden
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR says Chad is now hosting around 1.5 million refugees and asylum-seekers from Sudan. And despite the war entering its fourth year, the flow of people has not stopped. More than 50,000 of them have arrived in Eastern Chad this year alone. We speak with Mamadou Dian Baldé, UNHCR's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa who recently visited some of the refugee camps in the region. And, September 23 is the International Day of Sign Languages. We look at the role of AI in advancing access to information and education for deaf communities.Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producer: Rukia Bulle Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla
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About Focus on Africa
Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.
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