Focus on Africa

At least 50 soldiers have been killed in the latest attack in Mali as insecurity mounts in the country. The ambush took place near the northern town of Anefis and is one of the deadliest to occur in years. The attack has been claimed by Tuareg separatists and Al-Qaeda linked jihadists. The ambush has raised several questions about Mali's military strategy and playbook after the country ended cooperation with western allies and deepened ties with Russia.
And do you know about the historic Gnaoua genre of music from Morocco? This music is one of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage traditions. It developed in Morocco from the 16th and 17th centuries and is rooted in the history and spiritual practices of sub-Saharan African populations brought to the region via the trans-Saharan slave trade.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

The Algerian government has said that six people have died in wildfires in several provinces in recent days, as a deadly heatwave ravages the country. Officials have also instructed provincial governors to carry out comprehensive assessments of the damage to help guide future compensation for affected communities. The fires come as several Mediterranean countries, including France and Italy, are struggling with severe wildfires driven by extreme summer temperatures. Since the beginning of July, civil defence teams have responded to nearly 1,500 wildfires nationwide, more than double the number reported during the previous year.

Also, a new Google Trends report shows more Nigerian youth are using AI to learn foreign languages such as French and German, as well as sign language.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Kenyan authorities have denied reports that seven aid workers are quarantined in an Ebola facility in Central Kenya. Members of the public and civil society groups have raised concerns following reports that the aid workers who worked at Ebola health facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are quarantined at a US military base in the country.
And, we shed the spotlight on foundational learning in Africa. According to UNICEF, four out of five children across Africa are unable to read or understand a simple sentence by the age of 10.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, and Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

Every year, July 18 is marked as the Nelson Mandela International Day. It is a moment not only to celebrate the life of South Africa's first democratically elected president, but also to reflect on the values he championed which include justice, reconciliation and service to humanity. This year's commemorations included a live concert at London's Trafalgar Square, where artists gathered to honour the man affectionately known as Madiba. We speak to South African musician Asanda Mvana, better known as Msaki, about the role music can play in preserving Nelson Mandela's legacy as well as South Africa's minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
And how do scientists go about discovering new species of animals? We hear from Junior Amboko, the scientist who named the recently discovered species of monkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Victor Chege, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla

You may have heard about South Africa’s viral Netflix show, The Polygamist. The series has been trending across the continent, sparking conversations about relationships, marriage and fidelity.
Now, according to the Pew Research Center, a US-based think tank, only around 2% of the world's population lives in polygamous households. However, the practice is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 11% of people are part of polygamous families.
So, what is it really like to be in a polygamous marriage, and why do some people choose this way of life? We hear from Takid Master, his first wife, Cecilia, and his second wife, Mariam, about how their relationship works.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Kiambo and Bella Twine
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla