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BBC World Service

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

Focus on Africa

Undocumented foreign traders in Kenya have 90 days to legalise their status. This follows a directive from President William Ruto that they should not compete with Kenyans in small businesses. The trade ministry said some foreigners exploit visa rules to work in the country without the required permits. And in Sudan, we hear from a photographer who fled the violence in El-Fasher, a key city in Darfur, that is now under control by the Rapid Support Forces. He now lives in Tawila camp about 60km north of Darfur. For years, he documented the war. Now, his camera is chasing smiles despite the conflict. 

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui 
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba 
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Kenya gives foreign traders 90-day ultimatum

The United Nations has endorsed a new map projection that more accurately represents Africa’s true size. The "Correct the Map" resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by African Union (AU) member states, was adopted with the support of 164 countries, including France and the United Kingdom. The United States was the only country to vote against it, while six nations abstained. On this episode, we explore why this new map matters and what it reveals about Africa’s true scale.

And Nigeria has one of the world's highest numbers of out-of-school children, with the UN estimating that 19 million are missing out on education. Insecurity remains a major barrier. BBC Eye follows two young girls in Zamfara State who are rebuilding their futures through education after violence forced them out of school.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui 
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba 
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Why maps make Africa smaller

From selling charcoal, firewood and a popular West Africa staple food locally known as garri, to making waves on the global music scene. Liberian superstar JZyNO has come a long way. He started making music in Liberia before moving to Ghana to pursue his dreams, where he found a more developed music industry. In 2023, he broke onto the international scene with his hit single, Butta My Bread, which has amassed over 300 million views.
 
He sat down with Focus on Africa to reflect on life since his breakout hit, his humble beginnings in Liberia, and what the country needs to do to produce more globally successful artists.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Godwin Asediba, Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Jotham and Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

JZyNO on taking Liberia’s sound global

From devastating floods in Nepal to growing weather concerns across Africa, extreme weather is once again putting communities at risk. The United Nations warns that up to 162 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa live in areas exposed to the impending El Niño weather event. Experts say it could be the strongest El Niño in more than 70 years, bringing the risk of intensifying drought, extreme heat and flooding.

And we hear from a macro photographer who captures tiny insects in remarkable detail, in the environments they call home, to inspire people to care about their vital role in our ecosystems.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Is Africa ready for a stronger El Niño?

The senior adviser to US President Donald Trump on African and Arab Affairs, Massad Boulos, speaks exclusively to the BBC about why the US is asking the UN Security Council to approve a nationwide arms embargo on Sudan, a move Washington says could help end the war which has been ongoing for more than 3 years. A nationwide embargo would ban the sale, transfer or supply of weapons and military equipment to all sides of the conflict, including the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces.

And, despite affecting millions of people worldwide, dyslexia remains widely misunderstood in Africa. The neurodevelopmental learning difference can affect reading, spelling and language processing.

We hear from someone living with dyslexia about her experience and the stigma surrounding it.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Twine and Chiamaka Dike
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

US pushes for Sudan arms embargo

Guinea-Bissau awaits the results of Sunday's referendum on a proposed new constitution which aims to increase presidential powers. The vote is seen as an important step ahead of December's general election, which is expected to return the country to civilian rule after last year's military coup. The proposed constitution would give more powers to the president and reduce the number of parliamentary seats from 102 to 65. The military government says the changes would make parliament more effective and help reduce tensions between the president and prime minister.

And we enter the world of dressing as your favourite anime or video game character. This, known as Cosplay, is giving young people new ways to bring characters from animation, comics and video games to life, especially from Japanese animation, better known as Anime.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Guinea-Bissau votes to reshape presidency

Last Saturday, gunfire and attacks near the airport were witnessed in Niamey, Niger's capital city. Defecting soldiers known as the Armed Forces for the Restoration of the Fatherland, attempted a coup which was later contained by the military with the support of its Russia Africa corps. Authorities in the country have not said how many soldiers were involved in the coup, or how many people were killed in the ensuing violence. The current military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani came to power in 2023 after ousting then democratically-elected president Mohamed Bazoum. We look at what the latest mutiny means for the country's stability. 
 
And as a new report shows women make up only 6% of pilots globally, we find out if perceptions about women in aviation are changing in African countries.
 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna 
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya 
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango 
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga 
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Niger arrests soldiers behind failed mutiny

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

President William Ruto of Kenya has launched his Hustler Fund to alleviate poverty, which he says over a million Kenyans have signed up for. 

Also, Zimbabweans are trying to get to grips with the worst power shortages in years, but the Government is blaming former President Mugabe.

Plus, Moroccans are still basking in the glory of making it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup. So what is the secret of their success? We hear from Casablanca.

And we speak to Zambian artist Sampa the Great, whose name is a true reflection of her achievements so far. She shares her story, musical style, and love of African futurism and sci-fi.

Those stories in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.

William Ruto unveils his 'Hustler Fund' for Kenyans

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