Africa Today

The UK parliament has passed the Rwanda asylum law. People arriving on small boats can have their asylum claims processed in Rwanda. When is this likely to take place and why is it of global significance?Why is Zimbabwe's newly introduced gold-backed currency already on the decline? And a strong caution about harmful chemicals found in hair relaxers.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers:Richard Kagoe, Patricia Whitehorne, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has urged regional leaders to forge common understanding and develop strategies to address the challenges posed by Autonomous Weapons Systems. What are autonomous weapons and what sort of threat do they pose to West African countries?Also how the remains of thousands of enslaved Africans on St Helena is reconnecting this island to the rest of the world.And the Nigerian artist causing outrage with his depictions of black people. What's behind his depiction and why is he doing it?Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Victor Sylver and Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

There have been heavy clashes between Amhara and Tigray in Ethiopia over disputed territory, according to reports. What's going on and how will it impact the country?Also why did the popular Nigerian preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, spread anti-vaccine messages to his followers? And as the countdown to the Paris Olympics continues, can an African country host the games?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

The United Nations received financial pledges of just over six hundred million dollars to help with Ethiopia's humanitarian crisis. It fell short of the one billion dollars the UN was seeking. Around 15 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in the country. Is the amount pledged enough and how will the funds be distributed?Also why is gambling on the rise on the continent, attracting young people? And why is South Africa installing the continent's biggest battery and how will it work?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The USAid Mission Director to Liberia Jim Wright has alleged that around 90% of pharmacies in the country are selling stolen medicine, donated by aid organisations. What's going on? Cattle rustling and banditry in northern Kenya is on the increase. What can be done to prevent this from happening? And a group of women accused of booing the Zimbabwean First Lady, Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, have been freed. We hear from the lawyer who represented them in court. Presenter:Richard Kagoe Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Daniel Dadzie, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Chad's interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby has begun campaigning ahead of the country's next presidential election, which is just three weeks away. He faces nine other candidates, including the junta-appointed Prime Minister Succès Masra. President Deby has pledged to strengthen security and guarantee Chad's peace and stability. Will he keep his promises? Also a look at Russia's growing influence in the Sahel as Russian troops arrive in Niger.And how African youth are thinking about future investments.

France is hosting an international conference on Sudan, one year after war broke out. It says, it's seeking much needed aid and attention. Observers say the Sudan crisis has been pushed out of the global conversation due to other ongoing conflicts. Will the conference make a difference? Why has Mali banned political activity and curtailed media freedoms?And cartoonist and satirist Jim Spire Ssentongo on the dangers and challenges of holding authority to account.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

How the Chibok girls are getting on with their lives ten years on from when they were kidnappedConcern over cyber-crime in Zambia following the busting of a syndicate scamming innocent peopleAnd why African men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer than white men.

South Africa's electoral commission (IEC) has published final candidate lists for general elections. Former president Jacob Zuma is free to contest in May's poll. Should the governing ANC be worried?We learn about the illicit organ trade in Western Kenya, with some young people selling their kidneys.And why Ivory Coast has announced a ban on begging in the commercial capital Abidjan.Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Yvette Twagiramariya, Victor Sylver and Paul Bakibinga Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Warring parties in Sudan accused of killing civilians both deliberately and indiscriminatelyCalls for Tanzanian troops to be withdrawn from the Democratic Republic of Congo after three Tanzanian soldiers were killed thereAnd what Eid Al Fitr celebrations hold for Afro-Palestinians in the Middle East?

Mozambican officials say that disinformation on cholera recently led to a ferry disaster in which more than 90 people died. Why is it still proving to be a challenge to control outbreaks of cholera in southern Africa? What can be done?How lack of basic hygiene in health facilities could be costing Sub-Saharan Africa billions of dollars.Popular Nigerian celebrity Bobrisky pleads guilty to abuse of the naira. What's really at play?Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Paul Bakibinga Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Sierra Leone faces a rampant drugs abuse crisis which President Bio describes as an existential threat to the countrySomalia and Turkey sign an agreement to collaborate on oil and gas explorationAnd we look at how a shortage of condoms is impacting HIV and AIDS cases in South Africa

Sierra Leone faces a rampant drugs abuse crisis which President Bio describes as an existential threat to the countrySomalia and Turkey sign an agreement to collaborate on oil and gas explorationAnd we look at how a shortage of condoms is impacting HIV and AIDS cases in South Africa

An underage girl has been placed under police protection in Ghana after it emerged she had been married to a 63-year-old traditional high priest. There was public outrage after footage of the customary wedding went viral. The office of the priest defended the marriage, saying it was only ceremonial. What's going on?Also we hear a moving conversation between two Rwandans, 30 years after the genocideAnd we visit London's first ever Nigerian Michelin star restaurant!Presenter: Richard Kagoe Producers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi, Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle Compliance: Karnie Sharp Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Gabon has opened up, what it calls, an inclusive national dialogue. Catholic Archbishop Jean-Patrick Iba-Ban who is leading the initiatve, said it should heal the wounds inflicted on the people of Gabon by former leaders who were more interested in power than the people they were called upon to lead. We'll hear analysis.Also Ghana's newly appointed health minister tells us how drones have revolutionised the delivery of critical medical supplies.And a ride with Pelumi Nubi, the PhD student driving from London to Lagos. Could she be the first known black woman to complete the journey? Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

South Africa opens a new border authority to curb illegal crossings from neighbouring countries. We hear from the BBC team that visited a town on the border with Zimbabwe. Ghana's new health minister has published a new book on the lessons learnt from the Covid pandemic in his country, and the experience of fear, facts, faith and fortune. And we explore the global potential and profitability of Africa fashion.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Victor Sylver Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Somalia's parliament has approved several constitutional changes which the government says are necessary to establish a stable political system. So what are the changes and why is it causing concern? Also why was Stanis Bujakera, a well known journalist in the Democratic Republic of Congo detained? And what's it like being a journalist in the DRC?And a conversation with wheelchair user, Adebola Daniel in Nigeria, on the discrimination he faced at the KFC at Lagos airport.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramaria, Stefania Okereke and Bella Hassan Technical Producer: Danny Cox Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

One of the first people to publicly declare herself a transwoman in Nigeria 20 years ago and who had to flee the country, tells us about her experience to stand up for the rights of transgender people.    As Uganda launches the country's first interest-free commercial Islamic bank, we take a look at how Shariah compliant banking works.    And nurses from across the continent, meeting in Rwanda and Sweden, have voiced their concerns over the growing crisis in their profession and the ‘medical brain drain’. We get reaction to the claim that the recruitment of staff from the continent by western nations is “a new form of colonialism.”Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nyasha Michelle, Rob Wilson, Richard Kagoe, Sunita Nahar Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Togo's parliament has voted for a new constitution which resulted in people taking to the streets in protest. The changes mean, parliament now has the power to elect the President for a single six-year term. It all sounds good in theory, so why are critics concerned? Also why does the United States and the United Nations refer to Guinea Bissau as a 'narco-state'?And the cost of cobalt mining in the DR Congo. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Victor Sylver and Rob Wilson Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Gambia's parliament is considering a bill, to reverse a ban on Female Genital Mutilation. If passed, Gambia will be the first country in the world to do this. Some Gambians say the ban violates their rights to practice their culture, others disagree. We'll hear from two women who share different views.Also the airspace dispute between Somalia and Somaliland continues. What's behind it?And a conference in Liberia encouraging young people to talk about issues that affect them. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke and Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi