Focus on Africa

Thousands of white South Africans abroad, including in the US, are returning home despite President Donald Trump alleging that they’re being targeted, a claim the South African government denies. At least 12,000 have checked their citizenship status in preparation for a permanent return. A South African relocation agency has reported a 70% surge in inquiries over the past six months. We explore what’s driving this trend.
Meanwhile, billions of Muslims around the world watch the sky for the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid celebrations. Science is changing how the moon is tracked, so how do astronomy and tradition intersect, and what does the sighting of the moon mean across Africa?
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Basma El Atti
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The BBC’s Africa Eye embeds with Puntland forces in Somalia’s northeastern Al-Miskaad mountains as they fight Islamic State (IS) militants. Nearly a decade after its defeat in the Middle East, IS has spread across Africa. Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland has become a key hub, with the UN estimating that IS in Somalia was comprised of up to 800 fighters last year. Over half of these militants were believed to be foreign recruits.
We also look at the rising number of Egyptians migrating irregularly to Europe. Victims' families said that smugglers were demanding thousands of dollars, sometimes issuing death threats, leaving loved ones living in fear. Egyptians now represent the largest African group entering the European Union (EU) and the second largest globally, after Bangladeshis. This episode explores what’s behind this surge in migration.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producer: Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: David Njenga Kinyanjui
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The Israeli military has carried out waves of airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah launched about 200 rockets into northern Israel. At least 687 people, including 98 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since then and 800,000 others have been displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.
Caught up in this conflict are tens of thousands of African domestic workers. Many say they cannot leave the country because they are employed under Lebanon’s Kafala system - a legal framework that ties a migrant worker’s residency to their employer, meaning they cannot change jobs or leave without their employer's consent. 
Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Banchi Yimer, who left her home country of Ethiopia to move to Lebanon over a decade ago. After workign as a domestic worker for years, she founded an NGO that advocates for the rights of African migrant workers. She spoke to Nkechi from Beirut about the plight of African migrant workers in Lebanon.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

During a parliamentary session, legislators in Senegal voted on a bill that was introduced last month by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, doubling the penalty for same sex relationships that are already a crime in the West African country. People convicted under the new law will now serve prison sentences of between 5 and 10 years and face fines of up to 17,600 USD.
We also look at why snakebite antivenom is so expensive in many African countries. In a conversation with Professor John Amuasi of the Global Snakebite Task Force, we discuss what can be done to improve access to treatment for snakebites in remote parts of Africa.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producers: Daniel Dadzie and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

In this episode, we explore two important stories from Africa. First, Algeria’s parliament has passed a revised law criminalising French colonial rule. The amendments remove earlier demands for an official apology and reparations after the Senate requested the changes. The law still includes demands for compensation for victims of French nuclear tests in Algeria.
We then turn to Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition causing involuntary tics that affects millions worldwide. In Africa, the condition is often misunderstood leading to stigma. Advocates are pushing for awareness, early diagnosis and support. We hear from someone in Nigeria about what it’s like to live with Tourette syndrome.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Basma El Atti and Ayuba Iliya
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla