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Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

BBC World Service

Two essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the news from Africa. Hosted by Nkechi Ogbonna.

Focus on Africa

Now, you may have heard about a trial currently happening in the US, it’s a tragic case where a mother has been charged for killing her three children. However, her lawyers have argued she was experiencing with postpartum psychosis at that time. The trial has put a spotlight on postpartum psychosis - which is a rare and severe mental health condition, including symptoms such as mania, depression, confusion, and hallucinations. So, what’s it like to experience postpartum psychosis? And how do you come out on the other side? Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Chebet Birir, a 33-year-old journalist from Kenya and a mother of four about her journey with the illness.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba and Carolyne Jotham
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior producers: Priyanka Sippy and Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

'My journey with postpartum psychosis'

American country music star, Dolly Parton passed away this week and her fans across the continent have felt the loss greatly. Her songs, such as Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, crossed generations, borders and musical genres. We hear from the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the South African group who worked with Parton on Knockin' on Heaven's Door in 1995, and later collaborated on Peace Train, which appeared on her album, Treasures. 

And with Nigeria’s elections being months away, can a new Muslim-Christian agreement help ease religious tensions?

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Jotham, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

African fans pay tribute to Dolly Parton

US President Donald Trump's senior Africa envoy has asked the UN to extend its arms embargo from Darfur to all of Sudan, amid a recent escalation in the conflict. Now in its fourth year, the war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and forced 14 million more to flee their homes. An arms embargo covering the Darfur region has been in place for more than two decades - and will expire next month if not amended or renewed. 

And, following immense drought and land degradation in the Sahel region, restoration efforts have begun aimed at helping vulnerable groups who are battling the impact of climate change in the region.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Helen Oyibo 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

US calls for Sudan arms embargo

Somali piracy is rising again. The buccaneers capitalize on security gaps, targeting cargo ships and demanding multi-million dollar ransoms. On Sunday, nine people were reportedly killed in a drone strike on a small boat off the coast of Somalia, in a series of attacks linked to the hijacking of a Cameroon-flagged vessel. 

And in Mozambique, a simple paper appointment book is helping tackle long clinic queues hoping to bring healthcare services closer to pregnant women 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Kiambo and Blessing Aderogba 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Pirate attacks on Somalia's shipping lanes

The Nigerian government plans to decriminalise attempted suicide. It is currently an offence punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both. Suicide is a major public health concern, with the country recording around 300,000 attempts every year, and at least 7,000 deaths. We hear from a survivor and a mental health expert. 

And, as more countries move to ban social media access for teenagers because of safety concerns, we hear from two young people who are members of TikTok's Global Youth Council. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Helen Oyibo 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Nigeria plans to decriminalise attempted suicide

Imagine living with the lifelong physical and psychological scars of an attack fuelled by misogyny or romantic rejection. It’s the brutal reality for many women globally, yet the stigma of acid violence forces most survivors into silence. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna sits down with two survivors. They share their raw stories of living with the trauma, finding the strength to heal, and rebuilding their lives.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba
Senior Producer: Priyanka Sippy and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Surviving an acid attack

A Moroccan influencer is serving a ten month jail sentence for violating public decency laws. Soukaina Janah was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour while marketing a dress on TikTok. She has also been banned from using her social media accounts for three years. 

Also, rising water levels in Kenya's Baringo lake is driving crocodiles into people's homes. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Ayuba Iliya, Helen Oyibo, Basma El Atti and Keikantse Shumba 

Senior Producer: Bella Twine

Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi

Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Moroccan Influencer jailed over public indecency

Uganda's parliament has approved plans to deploy it's troops to Gaza under a U.S.-backed International Stabilization Force mission. This is an invitation from President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative which is meant to oversee post war transition. The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would be made up of countries willing to send their troops to take over some of the security tasks that were managed by Hamas for so many years. 

And, for World Photography Day, we follow a Congolese photographer’s journey through the lens, as he captures the meaning of home.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya

Senior Producer: Bella Twine

Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi

Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda to send troops to Gaza

An international medical charity is warning that children in southwest Somalia face alarming food shortages. A survey by Doctors Without Borders found half the children screened were acutely malnourished and one quarter severely malnourished. 

According to a survey by Doctors Without Borders, that was conducted over 800 households in 14 displacement sites in Baidoa, it found that over 200 families are surviving on just one meal a day. 

And Cannabis remains one of Africa's most controversial policy issues. While supporters point to economic and medical benefits, critics warn it could result in higher rates of abuse. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya 

Senior Producer: Bella Twine

Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi

Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Somalia: Humanitarian agency warns malnutrition

Security officers in Zambia have arrested 11 people including opposition candidate Brian Mundubile. The government claims that they could be planning a revolt. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema who is running for second, five-year term is taking an early lead in the count. The main opposition party has disputed the results.

And why are African vultures classified as endangered birds? 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Helen Oyibo 
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charlse Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Vote counting underway after Zambia election

A recent report by Cognitive Market Research says the global placenta powder market is expanding rapidly, driven by growing demand for placenta-based cosmetics and dietary supplements. But across Africa, deep-rooted cultural traditions mean the organ is usually buried, not consumed. So, why are some modern African mothers breaking with tradition? Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to maternal health advocate Ruth Sally Kodam and a placenta encapsulation specialist, Mary-Nissi Lemon, to understand the placenta and the different practices to either preserve or consume it. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham
Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui 
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Are placenta practices changing in Africa?

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