Focus on Africa

Nigeria plans to decriminalise attempted suicide

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 Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Helen Oyibo Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: David Nzau Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

Surviving an acid attack

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 Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Priyanka Sippy and Bella Twine Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Moroccan Influencer jailed over public indecency

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 OgbonnaProducers: Ayuba Iliya, Helen Oyibo, Basma El Atti and Keikantse Shumba Senior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Uganda to send troops to Gaza

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 OgbonnaProducers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba IliyaSenior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Somalia: Humanitarian agency warns malnutrition

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 OgbonnaProducers: Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya Senior Producer: Bella TwineTechnical Producer: Jonathan MwangiEditors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla