Focus on Africa

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
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Helen Oyibo
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo, Charlse Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

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
Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham
Senior Producers: Charles Gitonga and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

South Africa says it is asking Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia to share the cost of deporting tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to their home countries. The country's Department of Home Affairs says it spent nearly $18 million in the exercise, far exceeding the budgetary allocation. About 82,000 people were repatriated to their home countries since anti-migrant protests started.
And a UN report says one in three people can’t afford a healthy diet, despite a decline in global hunger in recent years. How are families across Africa coping with the affordability crisis?
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Basma El Atti, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla