Africa

An investigation by the British army has found that some soldiers stationed at a controversial base in Kenya continue to use sex workers despite being banned from doing so. Soldiers at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) used sex workers “at a low or moderate” level, a report said, …

With space at the Kasarani now limited to 27,000 ticket holders by Caf, supporters were keen to secure their place at Kenya’s final Group A game against Zambia on Sunday. Ticket sales were restarted in the early hours of Tuesday and by 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) the match was …

At least 40 people have been killed in an attack on a camp for displaced people in Sudan’s western Darfur region, according to an aid group that works there. The Abu Shouk Emergency Response Room said Monday’s assault was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The resistance committee …

The Nigerian air force has killed scores of gunmen, known locally as “bandits”, who were members of criminal gangs operating in Zamfara state, the military has said. The air force said in a statement on Monday that it carried out a raid in Makakkari forest, north-west Nigeria, which was the …

Olawale Adekola BBC News in Lagos Wedaeli Chibelushi BBC News WireImage/Getty Images Nigerian Afropop star Tems has told the BBC “people don’t really respect women” in her industry. The two-time Grammy award-winner told the BBC that at the start of her career, she struggled to be taken seriously. “I realised …

The death of a one-month-old baby girl who was the victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia has sparked widespread outrage. The baby was rushed to a hospital in the capital, Banjul, after she developed severe bleeding, but was pronounced dead on arrival, police said. Although an autopsy …

Ticket sales for some African Nations Championship (CHAN) matches in Nairobi have been suspended after chaotic scenes overshadowed Kenya’s victory over Morocco on Sunday. The Harambee Stars produced a shock by beating the pre-tournament favourites 1-0 at a packed Kasarani Stadium, yet the result was marred by disorder both inside …

The death of a one-month-old baby girl who was the victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia has sparked widespread outrage. The baby was rushed to a hospital in the capital, Banjiul, after she developed severe bleeding, but was pronounced dead on arrival, police said. Although an autopsy …

Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Mali accused of plotting to topple the country’s military leaders, sources say. The wave of arrests, which reportedly went on overnight and are expected to continue, reflect increased tensions within the military government, with reports that a jihadist insurgency in the north is …

EPA The Martian meteorite found in Niger went on display in New York before it was auctioned “Brazen! It is brazen!” Prof Paul Sereno says down the phone line from Chicago. He makes no effort to disguise his anger that a rare meteorite from Mars discovered two years ago in …

A bus carrying mourners from a funeral has crashed in western Kenya, killing 25 people, local authorities say. The driver lost control, veered off the road and overturned into a ditch along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway on Friday afternoon, a police report seen by the BBC says. This area is notorious …

A South African court has ruled that Zambia’s government can repatriate the body of former President Edgar Lungu and give him a state funeral, despite his family’s opposition. The Pretoria high court ruled in favour of the Zambian state, which had previously applied to block the family’s plans to bury …

Thomas Naadi BBC News in Accra Danai Nesta Kupemba BBC News Khanyisile Ngcobo BBC News EPA Ghana is in a period of national mourning after the helicopter crash Ghana’s President John Mahama has promised a full investigation into Wednesday’s helicopter crash that killed two government ministers and six other people. …

Paul Njie BBC News in Yaoundé AFP via Getty Images Cameroon’s constitutional council has upheld the decision by the country’s electoral body to exclude opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the 12 October presidential election. While the firebrand political figure was sidelined, 92-year-old President Paul Biya whose candidacy also faced opposition, …

Six people have been killed after a light aircraft belonging to a medical charity crashed in Kenya’s capitol, Nairobi, according to a local official. Charity AMREF Flying Doctors said the Cessna plane took off from Wilson airport on Thursday afternoon and was en route to Hargeisa in Somalia when it …

The Zambian government has dismissed claims of dangerous pollution in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety concerns raised by the US embassy. On Wednesday, the US embassy issued a health alert, ordering the immediate withdrawal of its personnel in Kitwe town and nearby areas due to concerns of “widespread contamination …

Mido has around 100 boys at The Maker and is aiming to expand the project to include girls. He says working on mental strength and adaptability is crucial to give his intake the best chance of succeeding in Europe. “We have a top psychology team who are working with the …

Tanzanians are mourning veteran politician and former Speaker of Parliament Job Ndugai, who became the first to resign from the role after a public fallout with the president. Ndugai, who has served as an MP for the past 25 years, died in Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital, on Wednesday at the age …

South Africa’s state prosecutor has officially withdrawn charges against one of the farm workers accused of killing two black woman and feeding their bodies to pigs. Adrian de Wet was one of three men facing murder charges after Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were killed while allegedly looking …

Ghana’s ministers of defence and environment have died in a military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti region, along with six other people, a government spokesperson says. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah told a press conference that Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala …