Thousands of Sudanese Christians face Christmas away from home as the Sudan war continues. We hear from one woman who was born into a Muslim family but converted to Christianity, on how her community tries to help those fleeing the war, and how she maintains Christmas traditions despite living in exile in Egypt.

We meet one of the young people who was at the forefront of the unprecedented #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Kenya.

And Ivorian chef Brice Assemian joins us in the studio to discuss and serve up the dish that the UN agency, Unesco, has declared a part of the unique heritage of Ivory Coast.

Presenter Audrey Brown Producers: Rob Wilson and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark. Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Dozens of people have died in stampedes to collect Christmas hampers in Nigeria raising concerns about safety at these events. Also in the programme, why South Sudanese civil servants have not been paid their salaries for nearly a year, and what South African shop owners are saying about the government's new regulations to address food poisonings.

Malawi's government is demanding billions in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone company for rubies exported over the last 10 years. The companies deny the claims

The tale of the child bride social media sensation in South Sudan.

And a couple share their painful experience with infertility

Presenter Audrey Brown Producers: Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Amie Liebowitz in London. Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Jonny Hall Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Piracy off the coast in Somalia, had cost the global economy around 7 billion US dollars just over a decade ago. Since then, international security patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lane all but eliminated piracy. But in recent months, there’s been a resurgence off the coast of the autonomous region of Puntland. Why is that?

Also, what's behind the fire at the parliamentary buildings in Liberia?

And why Nigerians are not all that happy about "Detty December"?

Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Todah Opeyemi in Lagos. Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

An underfunded and undermanned contingent of 400 Kenyan police are on a mission to quell gangs in Haiti. How are they coping?

More Somali migrants stranded in Libya return home.

And Algerian Kamel Daoud was recently awarded a top French prize for his novel Houris- why is it banned in Algeria?

Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Amie Liebowitz in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical producer: Jonathan Greer Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

Over a thousand Sierra Leoneans were recently arrested on the streets of Conakry in Guinea and deported. Sierra Leoneans reciprocated with their own deportation of Guineans. This all resulted in a diplomatic spat between the two countries. We'll get the details.

Also is Kenya really increasing state surveillance of its citizens? We'll hear government response to these claims

And a fresh start for Mali as production begins at the largest non-exploited lithium mine in the world!

Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Frenny Jowi and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi and Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The World Health Organization recently published its first-ever report on drowning prevention. The rates are highest in Africa-with Uganda one of the highest

And a Ghanaian shares his close encounter with jihadists in Burkina Faso

Are there academies in Nigeria where people are taught online scamming?

Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi, Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Amie Liebowitz in London. Senior producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer Philip Bull Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Residents of Mayotte have spoken of "apocalyptic scenes" caused by the worst storm in 90 years to hit the French Indian Ocean territory. Twenty people have been confirmed dead, but local authorities say that number could rise into thousands. We'll look at the impact.

Also a look at the painful legacy of landmines in Africa and why campaigns to end their use is always welcome

And the life and times of a political cartoonist. We'll hear from South Africa's Zapiro and Kenya's Maddo!

Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke Technical Producer: Phillip Bull Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Ethiopian authorities have reportedly deported hundreds of Eritreans. Many Eritreans there are refugees who fled forced military conscription and government oppression We hear about the lives of Syrians who fled war at home for a new life in Somalia Why did China give the least developed countries it has diplomatic ties with tariff free access.?

Presenter Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne.

Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to end their bitter dispute over Addis Ababa's plans to build a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland following talks in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the "historic agreement", which he said would eventually ensure landlocked Ethiopia's access to the sea. How significant is this?

Also what's keeping protestors on the streets of Mozambique?

And a look at the complicated relationship between South Africa and Nigeria.

Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Sunita Nahar, Rob Wilson and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba is in Lagos. Technical Producer: Fran Dunne Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Zambia's constitutional court says former President Lungu is ineligible for re-election.  He alleges political interference

We'll look at Operation Serengeti, a multinational attempt to stamp out cybercrime

Plus, a BBC investigation into how influencers are spreading disinformation on women's health on TikTok

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Victor Sylver and Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Nick Randell Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi