BBC Africa Today

What Eswatini risks by standing with Taiwan

Loading player...
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has finally visited Eswatini where his arrival had been expected since April. The state visit was cancelled last minute, and Taiwan blames China - saying Beijing applied pressure on African countries not to allow the plane carrying President Ching-te to use their airspace on the way to the Kingdom of Eswatini. We look at the significance of this visit and Taiwan's diplomatic ties to the Southern Africa kingdom.

Also, we have a fire chat with Ghanian musician Stonebwoy, whose Accra-famous music festival known as BHIM is going global, headlining at the OVO Wembley Arena in London this August.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle, Blessing Aderogba and Mark Wilberforce
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Bella Twine
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla
5 May 11AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Gigantomastia: Living with my oversized breasts

For many women, having larger breasts may be down to genetics. But for some, breast growth is extreme, painful and life-altering. The condition is called 'gigantomastia'. A condition that causes excessive breast tissue growth, leading to chronic pain, mobility challenges, and emotional distress. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna…
29 May 11AM 24 min

Kenya's toxic masculinity influencers

BBC Global Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield has spent a year examining the rise of two of the most influential manosphere figures. In Kenya, she met Andrew Kibe who has millions of followers online and offline. We hear how these individuals have built massive online audiences and the lucrative business behind…
28 May 11AM 25 min

Ethiopia votes amid press freedom concerns

Ethiopia is scheduled to hold its general election on June 1. Millions of voters will be electing members of the national parliament and leaders of the regional councils fronted by 23 political parties. This election happens amid political and security uncertainties in the populous regions of Oromia and Amhara, while…
27 May 11AM 25 min

Ebola affecting burial traditions in DRC

The World Health Organisations says Ebola is spreading faster than originally thought and has declared a public health emergency of international concern. Ebola has also been reported in DR Congo's North and South Kivu provinces, as well as in neighbouring Uganda, where there have been seven confirmed cases. In the…
26 May 10AM 24 min

What does it mean to be African?

May 25 is Africa Day, observed annually to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity - now known as the African Union (AU). We spoke to three Africans, a generation X, a millennial and a Gen Z about the dreams and aspirations Africans today. And South African activists…
25 May 11AM 25 min
All episodes