Inside Sierra Leone's justice system

Inside Sierra Leone's justice system

Author: BBC World Service October 3, 2023 Duration: 33:45

Focus on Africa takes you inside Sierra Leone's overcrowded prisons and looks closely at the country's justice system. Our reporter Umaru Fofana looks into a much needed review on how prisoners are treated.

Also the Nobel peace prize-winning gynaecologist Denis Mukwege, who is renowned for helping victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announces his plans to run for president in December. What's the reaction in the DRC and can Denis Mukwege make a difference?

And we talk to African playwrights, Tonderai Munyevu and Yael Farber who join over 60 of the world's leading playwrights for an online charity auction taking place at Christie's in London. The event, "Out of the Margins", is organised by the Good Chance theatre and will include writers; Wole Soyinka, Inua Ellams, Tom Stoppard, Tina Fey, and Tanika Gupta.


Each weekday, as the afternoon draws to a close, Focus on Africa provides a thoughtful and necessary pause to understand the continent's dynamic pulse. Produced by the BBC World Service, this daily podcast goes beyond headlines, unpacking two essential stories with depth and context. The reporting doesn't just explain the major events shaping nations and communities; it deliberately highlights the individuals living through these changes, ensuring the human dimension of every story is heard. Furthermore, the program offers a vital African perspective on worldwide events, examining how global developments resonate locally. Under the steady guidance of host Nkechi Ogbonna, listeners are offered clarity and insight, making complex issues accessible. This reliable briefing is crafted to fit into your routine, arriving before the evening with the authority and nuance you expect. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with a nuanced portrait of a continent, its people, and its place in the world, all delivered with journalistic rigor five days a week.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 922

Focus on Africa
Podcast Episodes
Nigeria: Gunmen free kidnapped schoolchildren [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:53
Gunmen in Nigeria have freed a number of pupils who were kidnapped from an Islamic school in May, according to their head teacher. Why are women's and girl's reproductive rights under siege despite Kenya's new Constituti…
Judges reject president's appeal to change Kenya constitution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:41
Appeal Court judges in Kenya have upheld an earlier decision by a lower court blocking a government-backed plan to make fundamental changes to the country's constitution, calling the project "unconstitutional and unlawfu…
Uganda to host 2,000 Afghan refugees on US request [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:02
Uganda will take in 2,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the crisis in their country.Refugees Minister Esther Anyakun told the BBC that President Yoweri Museveni agreed to take in the refugees at the request of the Americans.Ke…
Burkina Faso: Compaore to be tried over Sankara assassination [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
Burkina Faso’s former president Blaise Compaore faces a military trial, accused of involvement in the killing of his predecessor Thomas Sankara.Plus, more than 40 people have died after their boat got into trouble betwee…
Millions face hunger in Somalia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:10
Millions of Somalis face severe food shortages and hunger by the end of the year due to low rainfall and destructive locusts. Eritrean authorities release dozens of prisoners jailed for practising their Christian faith.…
Tanzania’s new president charts new Covid-19 course for the country [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan has outlined a shift in government policy in the areas of media freedom, Covid-19 response and foreign policy.Sudan has declared a state of emergency in west Darfur following…
2020 Review: How has Africa handled the big challenges? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:55
The Covid-19 crisis has been the big story of 2020 but how has Africa handled the pandemic, and amid the serious set backs have there also been some digital and technical gains? What opportunities will the African Contin…
Africa Today: Highlights from 2020 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:45
From a prestigious award for standing up for science, to breaking barriers to become the highest ranking woman in the Nigerian police force, and the ultra-viral internet dance challenge, Jerusalema – in this special Chri…
Kenyan officials accused of Covid-19 corruption [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:22
At least 15 top Kenyan government officials and businesspeople face prosecution in connection for alleged theft of tens of millions of dollars meant for Covid-19 supplies. Zambia’s credit rating has been downgraded over…
US sanction former Gambia first lady [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
The United States has imposed sanctions on the country's former First Lady Zineb Jammeh accusing her of corruption during her husband Yahya Jammeh's rule. The US treasury suspects her of helping the former president tran…