Focus on Africa

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
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Carolyne Kiambo and Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Daniel Dadzie and Maryam Abdalla

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

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

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