Focus on Africa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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