Violence surges in eastern DRC

Violence surges in eastern DRC

Author: BBC World Service January 8, 2025 Duration: 33:20

The M23 rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured the key town of Masisi in the in the mineral-rich North Kivu province, in renewed, intense fighting. Why has there been an upsurge in the the violence and why is seizing control of Masisi so significant?

Also in the podcast, why does Nigeria have the highest rates of neonatal jaundice?

And we hear from two farmers in Sierra Leone - who are both amputees - about a project called Farming on Crutches, that is aimed at helping people with missing limbs find a new way to make a living.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Kaine Pieri here in London Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical producer: Francesca Dunne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi


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
Court affirms Ruto victory in Kenya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
William Ruto has been declared the next President of Kenya after the Supreme court rejected all challenges by Raila Odinga who said the results of the August elections were fraudulent.Also, Zambia's finance minister outl…
Zambia’s billion dollar bailout sparks economic hope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:30
Zambia has agreed a $1.3 billion bailout loan with the IMF after months of negotiations. We’ll look at what this might mean for the country. Why a community in North-West Cameroon are concerned about a strange smell comi…
Fighting intensifies in Tigray [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
Reports of a hospital being bombed in Tigray as fighting intensifies. Both sides once again blaming each other for the atrocity.Also, what are the real reasons behind the collapse of the South African health system?Plus,…
Results from Angola's elections are in [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:19
Final results for Angola's elections have been declared - the governing MPLA and President Lourenco are the winners - but opponents, Unita, stand by their claim that the result is a sham.Also, after a weekend of what's b…
Accusations and counter-accusations in Ethiopia over latest fighting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:22
We'll be in Ethiopia where the blame game over the latest outbreak of fighting continues. We'll hear from Tigrayan spokesperson Getachew Reda.Also, latest figures show that Angola's ruling MPLA is in the lead following e…
Mutual recriminations over fighting in Ethiopia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
Government and Tigrayan officials are blaming each other for renewed fighting in the north of Ethiopia.Also, thousands of South African workers are on strike over the rising cost of living.Plus, Togo's ambitions to becom…
Debt forgiveness from China for 17 African countries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:01
China writes off 23 debts owed by 17 African countries - does that give a lie to the so-called China debt trap?Also, rural Kenyans take Britain to Europe's top human rights court over historical forceful land evictions -…
Kenya's post-election wrangling continues in the courts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
The Kenyan Presidential contender, Raila Odinga, has filed a legal challenge to last week's election results.And we look at the aftermath of a two-day siege in a bombed hotel in Mogadishu, which finally ended after 30 ho…
Arrests made in Nigeria over mummified bodies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:51
Police in Nigeria have arrested three people in connection with the discovery of 20 mummified bodies near Benin City.Also, we examine the track record of Angola's third post independence president as elections draw near.…
Forest fires in Algeria:  At least 38 dead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
Algerian emergency workers struggle to contain forest fires in which at least 38 people have died.Also, Kenya's electoral commission boss asks for more security following threats and harassment of himself and his staff.P…