Africa highlights: Wednesday 25 November 2015 as it happened

Summary

Pope Francis arrives in Kenya on his first visit to Africa
He urged people to work for "reconciliation, peace, forgiveness and healing"
Nigerians deported from the UK to Lagos
Congolese basketballer Dikembe Mutombo honoured by NBA team
Islamic State group 'behind Tunisia bus blast'
Email stories and comments to africalive@bbc.co.uk - Wednesday 25 November 2015

Live Reporting

Naziru Mikailu and Lucy Fleming

Gambia minister: 'FGM has no roots in religion'published at 18:26
Gambia’s Information Minister Sheriff Bojang Said has told BBC Focus on Africa radio that the cabinet had no idea that President Yahya Jammeh was going to ban female genital mutilation (see 14:56 post).
But he said it was a welcome move in The Gambia – where the UN estimates three-quarters of the female population have had the procedure.
He added that imams that argue for the practice in the name of religion were wrong:
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People more versed in religious law have made it abundantly clear this has nothing to do with Islam, it is something more rooted culture than religion.
Satirical president seeks 13th termpublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Question: When is three terms in office not enough?
Answer: When you’re the president of Katwana…
His Excellency has been speaking to Focus on Africa presenter Sophie Ikenye in an exclusive interview during his visit to London.
Media caption,
What's Up Africa: Satirical president seeks 13th term
The satirical series What's Up Africa is a BBC and RNW Media co-production.
It is broadcast on Wednesdays and Fridays on Focus on Africa on BBC World News & partner stations across Africa from 17:30 GMT.
Catholic Africa - in 60 secondspublished at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Pope Francis has started his historic three-nation tour of Africa at a time the Catholic community is growing in the continent.
It has nearly 200 million devotees.
BBC Africa looks at the importance of Catholicism on the continent - in this 60-second video.
Media caption,
Catholic Africa - in 60 seconds
Sources: Vatican; Pew Research Center; Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA)
Produced by Baya Cat
SAA 'not insolvent'published at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
South Africa's public broadcaster tweets:
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On board the Pope's plane to Africapublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt reports from the papal plane:
Prior to his arrival in Kenya for a three-nation African tour, Pope Francis was filmed on board the papal plane greeting reporters.
Media caption,
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt reports from the papal plane
On board the Pope's plane to Africa
Prior to his arrival in Kenya for a three-nation African tour, Pope Francis was filmed on board the papal plane greeting reporters.
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Pope on Kenya's 'eloquent sign of hope'published at 16:00
Ending his first speech in Africa, Pope Francis says:
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I am told that here in Kenya it is a tradition for young schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity.
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May this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a society of solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country and throughout the great African continent.
He ends with these words in Swahili:
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Mungu abariki Kenya! [God bless Kenya!]
Pope says leaders have great responsibilitypublished at 15:58
The Pope addressing an audience at Kenya's State House said leaders had had a great responsibility:
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The Gospel tells us that from those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded.
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In that spirit, I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society.
Pope speaks about reconciliationpublished at 15:57
The Pope also spoke about divisions in society:
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All men and women of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing.
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Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration.
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Ultimately, the struggle against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation.
Pope on Kenya and conservationpublished at 15:54
The Pope said Kenya was blessed with “immense beauty” and said Kenyans are known “for a culture of conservation which does you honour”.
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The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature.
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“We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received.
Pope on young peoplepublished at 15:53
Image source, AP
Pope Francis also spoke at about Kenya as nation of young people
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The young are any nation’s most valuable resource
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To protect them, to invest in them and to offer them a helping hand, is the best way we can ensure a future worthy of the wisdom and spiritual values dear to their elders, values which are the very heart and soul of a people.
Pope on multi-ethnic and harmonious societiespublished at 15:51
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Kenya is a young and vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant role in the region.
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In many ways your experience of shaping a democracy is one shared by many other African nations.
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Like Kenya, they too are working to build, on the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multiethnic society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.
Pray for me, Kenyatta urges Popepublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked Pope Francis to pray for him as leads the country.
Some Kenyan media are tweeting from the event:
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The Pope plants a treepublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Kenyan paper tweets
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Uganda getting ready for the Popepublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
BBC World Service presenter tweets from Kenya
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Read the full profile of Pope Francis
21 gun salute for the Popepublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
A Kenya radio station tweets:
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#PopeInKenya trendingpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Many people are using the #PopeInKenya hashtag on Twitter to talk about Pope Francis' arrival in Kenya.
It is the first leg of his three-nation tour to Africa which will also take him to Uganda and the Central African Republic:
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Pope's motorcade arrives at State Housepublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Pope Francis and President Uhuru Kenyatta have arrived at Kenya's State House in Nairobi.
A Kenyan radio station has tweeted:
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Roads close for Pope motorcadepublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
A Kenyan radio station tweets:
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Pope Francis arrives in Kenyapublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Watch the arrival of Pope Francis at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi:
Media caption,
Pope Francis arrives in Kenya for a three-nation African tour
Heading for State Housepublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 25 November 2015
Pope Francis and President Uhuru Kenyatta on their way to government house.
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Summary

Live Reporting

On board the Pope's plane to Africa