Africa Today

More than 200 people have starved to death since July in Ethiopia's drought-hit and war-scarred Tigray region, local authorities say. Officials warn the region is on the brink of famine on a scale last seen in 1984. How did Tigray return to this desperate situation? Also why are Nigerians turning to crowdfunding to pay for ransoms?And what does it mean to be Black, African and British? How African migration is shaping politics, faith, business and culture in the UK.

Zambia is battling one of its worst cholera outbreaks in recent years. More than 300 people have died and nearly 6,000 active cases have been registered.Why did Nigeria’s Central Bank dissolve boards of three lenders?And the young Ghanaian entrepreneur using solar technology to help farmers protect their produce from wastage

Burundi has closed its borders with Rwanda after accusing its neighbour of funding rebel attacks. Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies the charge, but Burundi's government has branded him a "bad neighbour". Can the two neigbours overcome their differences?Also a report on migrant workers facing forced labour and exploitation in MauritiusAnd a doctor from Sierra Leone tells us how his country and developing countries can hold onto their health care workers.

Cape Verde becomes the first sub-Saharan country to get rid of the deadly malaria disease in 50 yearsWhy is South Africa aiming to legislate for proper labelling of foodstuffs? And the anticipation and excitement of the African Cup of Nations which kicks off in Ivory Coast this weekend !

Voters in Comoros head to the polls on Sunday to elect the next president. The incumbent Azali Assoumani is seeking a fourth term, but who are his main challengers? The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, this Sunday, but next time hosts Kenya did not qualify for this year’s tournament. Former Kenyan international Musa Otieno says the game’s infrastructure in the country needs to improve. And Knives down, Gloves up, we hear from a young man with Ivorian and Guinean heritage, on the connection between good mental health and sport and why he established a boxing club after a lifechanging act of violence.

South Africa is taking Israel to the ICJ in the Hague. Pretoria alleges that genocide is being committed against Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. So far more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's operation against Hamas militants.Are Ethiopians in Somalia and Somaliland now living in fear as tensions rise between Mogadishu and Hargeisa after a seaport access deal ? And the future of Artificial Intelligence in Africa.

President Ruto’s flagship visa-free policy for all visitors to Kenya has come into effect, but travellers are finding that it is not working as expected. Five years after Cyclone Idai devastated lives and livelihoods in Mozambique, how are people in the areas that were worst affected doing now? And we hear from the Ghanaian tennis photographer whose images of young African players captured the admiration of one of the sport’s all-time greats - Serena Williams.

A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence of widespread abuse by the founder of one of the world's biggest evangelical churches the late TB Joshua. Former members accuse him of rape, torture and forced abortions. As Senegalese courts deal blow to opposition leader Ousmane Sonko's presidential hopes, What does this portend for the coming elections?And why is the Nigerian government on a crackdown of fake degrees?

Troops from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), that includes Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania, have been deployed to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to fight the M23 and other armed groups. They have replaced the UN mission Monusco and an east African force that was deemed to be ineffective. Can Sadc succeed in reducing instability in the region?Thousands of unaccompanied children were among record numbers of irregular migrants who arrived in Spain last year. Amnesty International in Spain says the authorities there are overwhelmed.And nine months on from the outbreak of hostilities between rival military factions in Sudan, what is life like for ordinary citizens? We hear from one resident in the capital, Khartoum.

Why was Sierra Leone's ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma charged with treason ? He has denied any involvement in an attack which killed about 20 people last November.Where next for Chad after a contested constitutional referendum vote?And renowned cellist Abel Selaocoe on how South African oral traditions are connected to classical music.

Somalia has described an agreement that landlocked Ethiopia made with the self-declared republic of Somaliland over sea access as “an act of aggression”. What are the implications for the entire Horn of Africa region? A new succession battle for the Zulu throne has been triggered after a court in South Africa ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa's official crowning of the new Zulu king last year was unlawful. And we hear why analysts are bullish about online gaming in Africa and believe the market is set to hit the billion-dollar mark by the end of this year.

As South Africa battles increased load shedding, could nuclear energy be the answer to address the crisis?And the BBC's Ian Wafula's backstory to Africa Eye's investigation into how members of the LGBT community in Nigeria are being targeted by criminal gangsAnd we talk to the award-winning Somali director Ahmed Farah on his debut feature film-Ayaalne

The new year 2024, marks significant anniversaries for two countries. It is 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic election, signalling the dismantling of centuries of violent colonial and racial domination. At the same time, Rwanda was descending into a genocide that would leave up to a million people dead. Today we look back to that time to see how Rwanda and South Africa navigated those years. And Afrobeats has always been popular among the people who made the music. But last year the milestones kept piling up. So what does 2024 have in store for the music genre? We hear from the host of the UK Afrobeats chart show Eddie Kadi, and the Nigerian superstar nicknamed the Queen of Afrobeats, Yemi Alade.

The fighting that erupted in Sudan on 15 April this year between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continues unabated. We hear from the BBC's Mohanad Hashim who has been covering the conflict from the start. It is more than a story to him. It involves his homeland, his family, and his compatriots.Also, we meet Idiat Shiole, the 3D virtual fashion designer and creator of multiple AI models, representing a broader range of African women on the virtual catwalk.And a look back at Africa's sporting triumphs in 2023!

The Internationally acclaimed South African playwright, producer and composer Mbongeni Ngema has died in a car accident at the age of 68. He was best known for writing the award-winning musical Sarafina, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Miriam Makeba. It was nominated for both the Tony and Grammy Awards. We look back at the legacy of Mbongeni Ngema.Also, part two of the discussion on coups and democracies on the continent with the Director of the Africa Programme of the International Crisis Group, Murithi Mutiga.And in the run up to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast early next year, is the set piece 'Club versus Country' still being debated?

The Nigerian government is providing free train rides and a 50% reduction in public bus fares over the festive period. So, what's been the reaction from Nigerians? Also with a series of coups and major civil unrests across Africa, we are asking if democratic gains made over the last few decades are being reversed.And a look back at the horrific fire that killed up to 80 people in Johannesburg last August.

Northern herders launch a deadly attack on farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria, leaving over 140 people dead and hundreds more injured. What's behind this cycle of violence?Also we follow the stories of migrants from North Africa, across the Mediterranean Sea, to Lampedusa, an island off the Italian Coast. It's one of the deadliest known crossings in the world. Not everyone makes it across safely. And we meet the award winning Ethiopian scientist, creating drought resistant and weed resistant African grains!

The price of chocolate has risen, that's as the cost of cocoa rises. After the Ivory Coast, Ghana is one of the world's largest producers of cocoa. We'll look at the importance of ethical cocoa production and ask if local farmers benefit or not?Also, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite in many parts of Africa, how can households make the most of the festive season, despite the squeeze on their budgets?And the Nigerian chef and world record breaker Hilda Baci, shares her Christmas day menu!

As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, we look back at the week that's been and look ahead to the next few days. Has Sudan's conflict been forgotten and what next for the Sudanese people? Also we remember Shakahola. The Kenyan cult that made headlines around the world. And why is the pan African e-commerce company Jumia, exiting the continent?

How are Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea affecting Africa?Kenya and the EU sign an historic economic partnership agreement to boost trade. Will the East African region benefit?Will a new sickle cell treatment approved in the UK and US give hope for patients in Africa?