Africa Today

People in Madagascar will head to the polls on Thursday, but 10 of the 13 candidates have called for a boycott of a presidential election which follows months of street protests. We look at why questions over the President Andry Rajoelina’s dual French nationality have contributed to a contentious campaign.Translators who have worked for German troops serving as United Nations peacekeepers in Mali say they fear reprisal attacks from jihadist militants, as the UN winds up its mission.2026 FIFA World Cup: Africa’s qualifiers kick off today, with a record number of teams from the continent set to make it to the finals.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have today asked their members to down their tools indefinitely. The two, are Nigeria's biggest labour representatives. They accuse the government of failing to meet their demands. What do they want?Also, after the recent apology by German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier where he expressed "shame" for the colonial atrocities his country inflicted on Tanzania, we look at Germany's colonial history across Africa.And we meet the African photographer Sarah Waiswa who is determined to show case the continent through a different lens.

Thousands of people in the Horn of Africa and East Africa have been uprooted by what the UN has called “once-in-a-century“ floods. We look at why this is happening now.Kenya's Ogiek community condemns the government, over forceful evictions that have forced members from their ancestral land.Plus, the initiative bringing hope to talented young South African musicians from townships in Cape Town.

Liberians return to the polls on Tuesday in a runoff election between President George Weah and former vice-president Joseph Boakai. It follows a fiercely fought first round in which neither candidate was able to secure 50% of the votes for an outright victory. So, what can we expect from the runoff? Also British Somali author Nadifa Mohamed leads us into a world of cruelty and horror about human zoos. She tells the story of a stillborn baby, whose parents came from the Bambuti community from present day Democratic Republic of Congo to the UK.And does the blockbuster Nigerian film, "Over the Bridge", take us beyond Nollywood and into movie magic?

Witnesses accuse Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of targeting non-Arabs in Darfur, after capturing the Sudanese army headquarters in West Darfur’s capital El Geneina. We ask a representative of the United Nations refugee agency what is happening in the region. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has downplayed his country’s expulsion from the Agoa free trade deal with the United States, but is his response mere posturing?And will burning poached wildlife products discourage criminals in Nigeria?

The security situation in Ethiopia's Amhara region has been concerning for a while now with the authorities in Addis Ababa trying to contain it. However, the latest escalation in violence between government forces and groups opposed to a disarmament plan is leading to a humanitarian crisis, amid fears that the conflict could spread.Also we look at a new report from Amnesty International, which accuses TikTok of directing content to children to the detriment of their mental health. TikTok denies the allegation. And did you know giraffes are even more at risk of extinction than elephants?

We look at the future of AI in Africa, with two people involved with the development of the technology on the continent. What are some of the benefits and potential risks? Abake Adenle is the founder of Ajala, a tech company which delivers voice automation solutions for African languages, and Alex Tsado is co-founder of Ahura AI – which aims to keep workers around the world up-to-date with AI.A month on from the start of the most recent escalation in the conflict between Hamas and Israel, where do African countries stand? Plus are Kenyan complaints that President William Ruto travels too much justified?

The United Nations says, thousands of people are trapped following severe flooding in Somalia. Over forty thousand remain displaced and 14 people have been killed. We hear the latest.Also, following on from a BBC Africa Eye investigation into corporal punishment in Kenya, we'll look at the broader context across Africa and around the world. Why does it still happen despite its ban and what is the long term impact?And we'll hear more about the fight for a rare African mask from Gabon which is at the centre of a multimillion-dollar legal battle in France.

There is growing concern over the spread of dengue fever around the world. A medical specialist tells us what dengue is, why cases are rising and what the difference is between dengue and malaria.Also, a year after the bloody war in Ethiopia came to an end, we look at how life has changed for people in Tigray, and what more needs to be done.And we hear a discussion on the recent royal visit to Kenya, by King Charles. What was it really about?

As the number of internally displaced persons rises to record levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we look at the devastating impact the ongoing conflict is having on children.Also how does Africa benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), signed into law by the United States, 23 years ago? And we speak to one woman, Amira Adawe, who is determined to highlight the dangers of using skin lightening products.

Amnesty International has accused social media giant Facebook of contributing to human rights abuses against Tigrayans during the two-year war in Ethiopia.As Nigeria begins vaccinating girls to prevent cervical cancer, we look at the picture across Africa.And we look at how masquerade in Nigeria is both an art form and act of resistance.

We'll look at the Kenyan government's plan to provide universal healthcare for all its citizens. It's back on the agenda, so what will it entail? Also a Nigerian High Court rules against calling the Indigenous People of Biafra a terrorist organisation, saying it's unconstitutional.And we hear the remarkable story of a little known African anti-slave trade campaigner, Quobina Ottobah Kuguano.

South Africa's men's rugby team made history by winning a fourth World Cup title. How did they achieve it, and what does it mean for the nation and the African continent?A BBC investigation reveals that some school teachers in Kenya are still administering corporal punishment, despite the practice having been banned more than 20 years ago.Plus, we meet the winners of the Mr. and Miss Albinism Southern Africa 2023 beauty pageant, who are drawing attention to problems faced by their community.

Bola Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria's president in May this year, after winning the country's most competitive election since the end of military rule in 1999. Defeated candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenged his victory in court, alleging the result was manipulated. On Thursday, Nigeria's Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the challenge. What does this mean for politics in Nigeria? Also as Turkey celebrates its 100th anniversary as a Republic, we look at the growing relationship between the country and Africa. What's Turkey's vision for the continent? And fans gear up ahead of the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, as South Africa's Springboks take on New Zealand's All Blacks!

It's three months since the coup in Niger, when Mohamed Bazoum was forced from office. Sanctions have been imposed by ECOWAS and the AU. In an interview with the BBC, the prime minister of Niger’s ruling military junta, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine says, Niger is being treated unfairly. Also Sudan's warring parties resume talks in Saudi Arabia. Can they agree on a ceasefire? And we'll meet Ghanaian musician and Kologo player, Stevo Atambire.

Zimbabweans are facing another major cholera outbreak. Just over a hundred people have died with around five thousand infected. We look at the many challenges faced by the country as it tries to deal with the current situation.Also two young Tanzanians are still missing in Israel following the attack by the militant group Hamas almost three weeks ago. The father of one of them, 21 year old Joshua Loitu, has been speaking of his anguish in not knowing where his son is.And why is Ghana at risk of losing state properties in London?

UAE firm DP World has signed a deal with Tanzania to manage two thirds of Dar-es-Salaam port for the next 30 years. The issue has provoked protests in Tanzania. The UAE is the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the US. The opposition criticised the deal when details first emerged in July, saying it violated Tanzania's constitution.Will the war between Israel and Hamas affect relations between Israel and its newest African ally Morocco?And we meet the Kenyan designer from the slums who dressed Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.

Sierra Leone’s APC opposition party has ended its boycott of parliament. The action had begun after June's presidential election, which the party decried as fraudulent. The All People’s Congress has now agreed to take up its seats in parliament.We hear from a Nigerian pilgrim who escaped from Israel after the conflict there flared up earlier this month.Plus Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Mr Eazi talks to us about his latest collaborative offer.

As China marks the tenth anniversary of its Belt and Road initiative in Beijing, we look at benefits for African countries. What are the continent's losses and gains from working with China?Also Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed has again said, his country needs its own seaport. Ethiopia is landlocked. So what would he need to do, to make that possible and at what cost?And how Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum went from running in borrowed shoes...to breaking world records.

Mozambique's opposition staged demonstrations nationwide to denounce fraud in local elections. The vote is seen as an indicator of what to expect in next year’s presidential election in the country that is rich in natural gas.   The history behind South Africa's complex and complicated relationship between Israel and Palestine   Plus, we meet the Ghanaian woman, Valarie Labi, who makes locally produced e-bikes to ease transport for women entrepreneurs in the north