Got a TV Licence?

You need one to watch live TV on any channel or device, and BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s the law.

Find out more
I don’t have a TV Licence.

Live Reporting

All times stated are UK

Get involved

  1. Scroll down for this week’s stories 👇

    We'll be back on Monday

    BBC Africa Live

    Farouk Chothia & Tara John

    That's all from the BBC Africa Live page for now. We'll be back on Monday. In the meantime, keep up-to-date with what's happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or check the BBC News website.

    A reminder of our wise words:

    Quote Message: Those who haven't seen the Nile are thankful to a spring." from Sent by Shiferaw Abate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    Sent by Shiferaw Abate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Click here to send us your African proverbs.

    And we leave you with this photo from our gallery of the week of a priestess attending a festival for the Yoruba fertility goddess Osun in south-western Nigeria.

    A priestess attends a festival on Friday for the Yoruba fertility goddess Osun, in Osogbo in south-western Nigeria…
  2. Ghana ex-leader's comeback bid 'not surprising'

    Favour Nunoo

    BBC Pidgin, Lagos

    Former Ghanaian President John Mahama's decision to make a fresh bid for the presidency does not come as a surprise.

    He gave a strong indication of his desire to seek re-election by organising "unity walks" to heal the divisions in his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party following their defeat in the 2016 elections.

    On Thursday, Mr Mahama said he would seek the NDC's nomination to run for the presidency in the 2020 election.

    “I’ve prayed diligently about the task ahead and I believe I owe a duty to God and my country to take our great party back into government,” he said in a video posted on social media.

    View more on twitter

    His chances of securing the nomination - ahead of Alban Bagbin, the opposition leader in parliament - are very high. He has the youth of the party behind him, he remains its most marketable candidate and has the financial war chest needed to run the NDC's 2020 campaign.

    Mr Mahama was president for one four-year term. His bid for a second term failed after he was defeated by then-opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo.

    The 2020 elections, according to NDC officials, will be about comparing the four years of Mr Mahama's government to the four years of Mr Akufo-Addo's government.

    The NDC says the current government has been a failure - a charge it strongly rejects.

  3. Arsenal's Nwakali called up by Nigeria

    BBC Sport

    Arsenal youngster Kelechi Nwakali has been included in an official Nigeria squad for the first time.

    The 20-year-old midfielder is on the books of Arsenal but has been loaned to Portuguese side Porto, where he is set to play with their B team.

    Kelechi Nwakali
    Image caption: Kelechi Nwakali has been playing for Porto's B team in Portugal since being loaned by Arsenal

    Nwakali did play for a Nigeria XI in a friendly against Spanish club Atletico Madrid in May.

    The Super Eagles' coach Gernot Rohr has named a 24-man squad for September's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Seychelles and his first since the World Cup.

    Nigeria failed to get past the group stage of the World Cup in Russia as they lost 2-0 to Croatia before beating Iceland by the same scoreline and finally losing 2-1 to Argentina.

    Read the full story here

  4. Zimbabwe's MDC Alliance respects court verdict

    In this file photo taken on July 21, 2018 Zimbabwe main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa gestures as he addresses a crowd of supporters during an election campaign rally at White City stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    Image caption: Nelson Chamisa is a long-standing opponent of Zimbabwe's ruling party

    Zimbabwe's opposition says it "respects" the ruling of the Constitutional Court, which upheld President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory in disputed elections, but will continue "pursue all constitutionally permissible avenues to ensure that the sovereign will of the people is protected and guaranteed".

    In a series of tweets, the MDC Alliance said it believed "the verdict of the people who overwhelmingly voted" for its leader Nelson Chamisa to become the next president of Zimbabwe.

    The MDC Alliance called for peace and said "the sombre mood in the country in the wake of today’s court verdict is in itself a telling statement".

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
  5. Weah hails Wenger for 'revolutionary' approach

    President, George Weah (C) decorates and inducts former soccer manager Arsene Wenger into the Order of Distinction and Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Paynesville, outside Monrovia, Liberia, 2

    Liberia's President George Weah has lavishly praised former Arsenal former manager Arsène Wenger, as he gave him with the West African state's highest honour - the Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption.

    “You proved yourself as a teacher when you revolutionised forever the approach of scouting young talents all over the planet, particularly throughout Africa," Mr Weah said of his former coach during the ceremony in Monrovia, Reuters news agency reports.

    Thousands of spectators cheered as Wenger received his medal in a hall at the national stadium.

    Another coach, Claude Le Roy, who first told Wenger about Weah, also received the award.

    Here are some pictures from today's ceremony at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex:

    Former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour (C-R), chats with former Arsenal Coach, Arsene Wenger (C-L) at the induction ceremony of the Order of Distinction and Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Paynesville, outside Monrovia, Liberia
    Image caption: Former Ghanaian President John Kuffour chats with Wenger
    1 Liberian President, George Weah (C-R) decorates and inducts former soccer manager Arsene Wenger (C-L) into the Order of Distinction and Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Paynesville,
    Image caption: Mr Weah decorates his former football manager
    Liberian President, George Weah (C-R) decorates and inducts former soccer manager Arsene Wenger (C-L) into the Order of Distinction and Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Paynesville, outside Monrovia, Liberia, 24 August 2018.
    Image caption: Wenger shows his happiness

    See earlier post for more details

  6. Mnangagwa' supporters celebrate

    Some supporters of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party have been celebrating in the second city, Bulwayo, following the decision by the country's highest court to dismiss the opposition MDC Alliance's bid to annul President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory in elections, as this tweet shows:

    View more on twitter
  7. Zimbabwean rivals urged to bury hatchet

    Twitter users have been calling for unity in Zimbabwe after the country's highest court upheld President Emmerson Mnangagwa's narrow victory in fiercely contested elections on 30 July.

    Here are some of the reactions:

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
  8. Zimbabwe Tendai Biti reacts to court verdict

    Zimbabwe leading opposition figures Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change arrives in handcuffs at the Harare Magistrates court August 9, 2018

    Zimbabwean opposition politician Tendai Biti says "we will continue to fight for truth and justice" after the Constitutional Court threw out a bid by his MDC Alliance to annul the presidential results.

    "Legitimacy comes from the people and the people alone," he said in a tweet.

    View more on twitter

    Mr Biti was released on bail earlier in August after appearing in court on charges of inciting violence after he was deported from Zambia.

    At least six people were killed two days after the vote in clashes between security forces and MDC Alliance supporters who alleged that their leader, Nelson Chamisa, had been robbed of victory.

  9. Mnangagwa reaches out to the opposition

    Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the election results were "firmly in line with all pre-election polling" and that his party was "not surprised by the court’s decision", which confirmed his 30 July election win.

    In a series of tweets, he called for "peace and unity" after the Constitutional Court unanimously threw out a bid by the opposition MDC Alliance to annul the presidential results.

    This comes after an army crackdown following post-election protests left six people dead.

    He also reached out to his main challenger in the poll.

    "Nelson Chamisa, my door is open and my arms are outstretched, we are one nation, and we must put our nation first," Mr Mnangagwa wrote.

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter

    Mr Mnangagwa won the election with 50.7% of the vote, which meant he avoided a run-off with Mr Chamisa, who got 44.3%.

  10. 'No credible evidence' of rigging in Zimbawe poll

    Throwing out the bid by Zimbabwe's opposition presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa to overturn President Emmerson Mnangagwa's election victory, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said: "In the final analysis, the court finds the applicant has failed to place before it clear, direct, sufficient and credible evidence [of rigging]".

    Nelson Chamisa speaks after the announcement of election results in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 3, 2018
    Image caption: Mr Chamisa contested the presidency for the first time
  11. Zimbabwe court's verdict unanimous

    Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a news conference at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 3, 2018.
    Image caption: President Mnangagwa has promised to lead Zimbabwe into a new era

    Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the winner of the 30 July election, dismissing the bid by his rival, Nelson Chamisa, to annul the result.

    It opens the way for Mr Mnangagwa's inauguration as Zimbabwe's second elected leader since independence in 1980.

    The inauguration ceremony is expected to take place this weekend.

    Read: The 'crocodile' who snapped back

  12. Zimbabwe opposition allegations 'unsubstantiated'

    Delivering the verdict of Zimbabwe's highest court, Chief Justice Luke Malaba called allegations of ballot-tampering "bold and unsubstantiated".

    It was Zimbabwe's first election since long-time leader Robert Mugabe was ousted from power last year.

    Two days after the vote, at least six people were killed in clashes between security forces and MDC Alliance supporters, who alleged that party leader Nelson Chamisa had been robbed of victory.

    Lawyers representing the oppostion Movement For Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa arrive at the Constitutional Court building in Harare, Zimbabwe, 22 August 2018.
    Image caption: A high-powered legal team represented Mr Chamisa
  13. Security cordon around Zimbabwe court

    The streets around the Constitutional Court in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, were cordoned off by security officers to prevent a repeat of the violence seen after the fiercely contested election, reports the BBC's Shingai Nyoka from the city.

    The roads are empty, our reporter adds.

  14. BreakingZimbabwe court dismisses challenge to Mnangagwa's win

    Zimbabwe's highest court has thrown a bid by the main opposition MDC Alliance to annul President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory in the heavily disputed 30 July election.

    Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa gives a media conference at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 3, 2018
    Image caption: Emmerson Mnangagwa beat Nelson Chamisa by a narrow margin

    MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa rejected Mr Mnangagwa's victory, saying the poll had been rigged.

    Mr Mnangagwa won 50.7% of the vote and Mr Chamisa 44.3%.

  15. Bellamy graduate gets international call-up

    BBC Sport

    Mustapha Bundu
    Image caption: Mustapha Bundu says the Craig Bellamy academy was key to his football development

    Denmark-based Mustapha Bundu is set to be the first graduate from Craig Bellamy's now defunct football academy to play for Sierra Leone.

    The 21-year old striker is on coach John Keister's 35-man provisional squad for their away 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.

    The Group F encounter is scheduled to take place in Hawass on September 9.

    "It means the world to me as it's the dream of every player to play for his or her country," Bundu told BBC Sport.

    "It also means a lot to my family because my dad never had the chance to play for Leone Stars when he was a footballer."

    Read the full story here

  16. MDC says Zimbabwe government 'undermining' court

    Ibrahim Haithar

    BBC Monitoring, Nairobi

    Zimbabwean opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance president Nelson Chamisa speaks to the press after a press conference in Harare, on August 2, 2018
    Image caption: Nelson Chamisa's party lodged the appeal with the Constitutional Court

    Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance has accused the government of undermining an expected judgment by the Constitutional Court on the validity of the 30 July election.

    The statement comes after today's court ruling on the disputed presidential election was delayed for an hour.

    “President Nelson Chamisa would like to address some specific, disturbing events that would seem to undermine the court process that is ongoing,” an MDC Alliance official told the media outside the court.

    Quote Message: At various points this morning in Harare, we have experienced jets flying above. This suggests that there is somebody preparing for an inauguration. It is not clear how anybody would begin this process before the courts have made a determination on the case that’s before them"
    Quote Message: The problem with that is that Zimbabweans and the world know that the judgment is expected at 2pm [local time] and has not been pronounced just yet"
    Quote Message: It is important for the people involved, including the government, to understand that the courts need to be respected and everybody must wait until the courts have made their proclamation before we do anything else"

    The opposition party also accused Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga of making statements that undermined the court's process.

    The MDC Alliance, which put the petition before the court, says the vote was rigged and is seeking a new election or for its leader, Mr Chamisa, to be named the winner.

  17. Somalia joins al-Shabab - the football club

    French L1 football club Toulouse's new Brazilian midfielder Wergiton Do Rosario Calmon, known as Somalia, poses during his official presentation at the municipal stadium in Toulouse, south-western France, on August 11, 2015.

    A few eyebrows were raised when French football club Toulouse announced that the Brazilian midfielder, Somalia, has joined the Saudi football team, al-Shabab.

    The 29-year-old Somalia, whose real name is Wergiton do Rosario Calmon, has been playing with Toulouse for three years before signing a two-year contract with al-Shabab.

    View more on twitter

    For more than a decade, Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which means youth in Arabic, has been battling the UN-backed government in Somalia. It has also been behind a string of attacks across East Africa.

    Some Twitter users were amused by that juxtaposition:

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
  18. President George Weah honours Arsène Wenger

    George Weah and Arsene Wenger
    Image caption: Arsene Wenger played a vital role in George Weah's football career

    Liberia's President George Weah has decorated former Arsenal football club manager Arsène Wenger with the country's highest honour at a ceremony in the capital, Monrovia.

    Wenger was Mr Weah's first European football coach and brought him to Monaco in 1988.

    Mr Weah went on to become the only African to win Fifa World Player of the Year, and the first international sports star to become president.

    Wenger was inducted into Liberia's Order of Distinction and has been given the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption.

    Some Liberians say that the honour should not have been given to an individual for what they had done for the president personally, reports the BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh from the capital, Monrovia.

    Liberia's Information Minister Eugene Nagbe told the BBC the award was not only about Mr Weah's personal connection with Wenger, but was a way to recognize that the Frenchman had "contributed to sports in Africa and has given many Africans opportunities".

    Read more: Arsène Wenger gets hero's welcome in Liberia

  19. South Africans shocked by death threat claim

    Milton Nkosi

    BBC Africa, Johannesburg

    Mcebisi Jonas gestures ahead of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry probing state capture in Johannesburg, South Africa August 24, 2018.
    Image caption: Mcebisi Jonas's testimony has been the most explosive so far

    The evidence given by South Africa's former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas - that controversial businessman Ajay Gupta "threatened to kill” him if he disclosed they met in 2015 - has shocked the nation.

    Allegations of corruption have swirled for many years now but the suggestion that it may have morphed into some form of mafia operation during the presidency of Jacob Zuma has left many people bewildered.

    Mr Gupta has previously denied meeting Mr Jonas, but the former deputy minister told a judge-led inquiry into state corruption that the meeting did take place and the businessman "threatened to kill” him if he spoke about it.

    It is the most explosive allegation that the commission has heard since it began sitting in South Africa’s main city Johannesburg earlier this week.

    In fact, the African National Congress (ANC), the party in power since the end of white-minority rule in 1994, is under scrutiny at the inquiry.

    When it was fighting for the freedom of black people, no-one could have foreseen the level of corruption that has affected it.

    Both the Gupta and Zuma families have denied any wrongdoing.

    See earlier post.

  20. Uganda ex-police boss charged over repatriations

    Patience Atuhaire

    BBC Africa, Kampala

    Uganda’s former powerful police chief General Kale Kayihura has been charged before a court martial in the capital, Kampala, with abetting the illegal repatriation of Rwandan refugees and dissidents from Uganda.

    The prosecutors allege that Gen Kayihura aided the forceful repatriation of Rwandan exiles, including Lieutenant Joel Mutabazi, a former bodyguard to Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

    A group of seven police officers, believed to have been Gen Kayihura’s close associates, face similar charges.

    A picture taken on February 20, 2018, shows General Kale Kayihura, Inspector general of the police, during a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Kampala, Uganda
    Image caption: Gen Kayihura has been in detention since June

    The once-powerful general is also charged with the failure to protect arms and ammunition while in office.

    The army says that between 2010 and 2018, on many occasions, Gen Kayihura illegally issued guns to members of a vigilante group Boda Boda 2010, named after motorcycle taxis.

    The prosecutors added that he also failed to supervise and account for arms and ammunition issued to various police units.

    He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    The general ran the Uganda Police Force for 13 years, during which time the force became notorious for brutality towards activists and political opponents.

    Rights groups have also called for Gen Kayihura to answer for the alleged torture and abuse of detained Ugandans in the eastern town of Jinja.

    He was fired in March and arrested in June. He has been in military detention since then. Many suspect that political motives lie behind his downfall.