The rebranded Russian mercenary group Wagner offers Niger a regime survival package

Will a deal with Russia help or hinder Niger?

Three essential stories to round off your working day. Explaining the big topics and news from Africa, the people behind them, plus an African perspective on global stories. Hosted by Audrey Brown. Five days a week, ready by late afternoon, Monday to Friday.

News

A UN-backed special court has issued an international arrest warrant for the former president of the Central African Republic, François Bozizé. This is in connection with an investigation into his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed by soldiers in a prison between 2009 and 2013.  We'll get the details. Also why are gunmen guarding cocoa crops in Uganda? And a big victory for a small indigenous community in South Africa, who won a Goldman Environmental Prize for standing up to a multinational company. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Charles Gitonga, Paul Bakibinga.
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why has an arrest warrant been issued for CAR's ex-president?

The U.S. has warned of a looming potential "large scale massacre" in Al-Fashir, a city in Sudan.  The United Nations says it's also concerned about a possible imminent attack.  What's going on?  Also state TV in Mali says the senior IS commander, Abu Huzeifa,  who had a 5 million dollar bounty on his head has been killed by troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.  Who was he and why is his death being seen as significant?   And we meet the award winning Cameroonian conservationist saving manatees. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Why is there International concern about Al-Fashir in Sudan?

More than 160 people are now known to have been killed by weeks of flooding in Kenya following torrential rain, that's according to officials.  We'll hear from the Kenyan President, William Ruto. Also former UK diplomat, Tim Cole, says it's time to reset London's relationship with Africa.  What would that new relationship look like?  And we meet young Africans pushing the boundaries of representation in the gaming industry! Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorn, Nyasha Michelle and Rob Wilson
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Kenya Floods: Why wasn't Nairobi better prepared and will President Ruto declare a state of emergency?

It is 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic elections. Three decades on, is it hope or gloom for the 'rainbow nation'? Also did a national emergency against sexual violence set up 5 years ago, make any difference in Sierra Leone? And we meet the Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, using cloth to wrap up the brutalist Barbican centre in London and revealing a hidden history.   Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Paul Bakibinga
Editors :Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

How do South Africans feel as they mark 30 years of democracy?

More than 220 civilians, including at least 56 children, were massacred by Burkina Faso's military in a single day this year. That's the allegation by Human Rights Watch.  So, how did HRW reach this conclusion and what's the response from the Burkina Faso government? Also why is the DR Congo warning big tech companies, like Apple, to not use minerals from the eastern part of the country?   And we meet Nigerian Afrobeats artist, Ayra Starr! Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Stefania Okereke and Bella Hassan 
Technical Producer: Danny Cox
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Will a deal with Russia help or hinder Niger?

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