Summary

  • Uganda's presidential candidates wrap up their election campaigns

  • Africa's first UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali dies

  • Two Ethiopian opposition activists released from prison after 19 months

  • Al-Shabab steals vehicles after attacking police stations near Somali capital

  • Nigeria's president sacks the director of the budget office

  • Benin's Angelique Kidjo wins Grammy for best world music album

  1. Raped Boko Haram escapees 'stigmatised'published at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Nigerian girls and women, who were kidnapped and raped by Boko Haram have faced mistrust and hostility from their families and wider communities after escaping the Islamist militant group, a new report says, external

    Communities interviewed for the report viewed returnees as "Boko Haram wives" and "annoba", meaning epidemics in the Hausa language, conveying the fear they have been radicalised and, if allowed to return home, might recruit others, according to the report by International Alert and the UN's children fund (Unicef).

    The children, who were born as a result of the women's rapes, were also stigmatised, accused of having “bad blood”, the report adds. 

    However, over time they did reintegrate once trust was rebuilt, the report said. 

    Kim Toogood, one of the report's authors, has been speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 

    Listen to her interview here

    freed captiveImage source, Nigerian Army
    Image caption,

    even for those who escape Boko Haram, the struggle is not necessarily over

    Read more: The girl who escaped from Boko Haram

  2. Getting ready for Uganda ralliespublished at 12:49 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    The BBC's Patience Atuhaire has been out and about in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, snapping pictures ahead of the last rallies before Thursday's presidential poll.

    She saw this effigy of one of the main opposition candidates Kizza Besigye on the Jinja road, where he's expected to pass by.

    Kizza Besigye statue

    She also spotted a group of policemen standing by in case there's any trouble.

    Uganda police

    There was one death after Mr Besigye's supporters clashed with police on Monday.

    Meanwhile, in another part of the city, President Yoweri Museveni's supporters are kitted out for his rally:

    Man wearing Museveni t-shirt

    "Mu 7" is a play on Museveni's numerical-sounding name. 

    And Patience also spotted this pro-Museveni motorbike:

    Painted motorbike
  3. Al-Shabab attacks police stations near Somalia's capitalpublished at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Al-Shabab militants in Somalia have attacked police stations and a military base close to the capital, Mogadishu. 

    The town of Afgoye was seen as a safe area but the jihadists attacked overnight, killing at least 10 people, most of whom are reported to be Somali soldiers. 

    The al-Shabab fighters also captured heavy weapons and military vehicles. 

    A 22,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force is backing Somalia's government but in recent weeks the militants have been on the offensive and the security situation has deteriorated.  

  4. Uganda's Besigye back on the campaign trailpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Ugandan opposition candidate Kizza Besigye is back out campaigning in the capital, Kamapla, after police said he could hold rallies after agreeing a route.

    He was briefly detained by police on Monday and later his supporters clashed with security officials.

    An independent French journalist has been tweeting from the Ntinda area of the city, where large crowds appear to have gathered to show their support: 

  5. Burundi seeks to stop grenade attacks with motorbike banpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Burundi has introduced a ban on motorbikes from the centre of the capital Bujumbura after a string of grenade attacks by people using motorcycles, the mayor said, AFP news agency reports. 

    On Monday, men on bikes threw three grenades in the city centre, while two other blasts were reported in a northern suburb, killing a child and wounding about 30 people, AFP adds. 

    "Having seen that it is these motorcycle taxis that often carry the criminals who explode grenades in the city, we decided to ban them from the centre of Bujumbura," city mayor Freddy Mbonimpa said. 

    security forces in bujumburaImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    There was a heavy security presence in the capital on Monday after the attacks

  6. Morocco unveil Frenchman Herve Renard as coachpublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Former Ivory Coast boss Herve Renard has been appointed as the new coach of Morocco to replace Badou Zaki.

    Renard lead Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015, three years after winning it with Zambia.

    After his Nations Cup victory with the Elephants Renard left to take over at French club Lille in May but was sacked in November.

    herve renardImage source, Getty Images

    Read the full BBC Sport story

  7. Uganda's Museveni showing off country's developmentpublished at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    During the last day of campaigning ahead of Thursday's presidential poll, Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni has been trumpeting a Ugandan example of technical innovation.

    He's been tweeting from the official launch of what has been described as Africa's first solar-powered bus, which was built in Uganda.

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    He also took a dig at his opponents:

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  8. 'The Great African Horror Story: Depression'published at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    As part of BBC's focus on the issue of mental health this week, we are featuring the work of South African photographer Thembela Nymless Ngayi.

    In his photographic series, The Great African Horror Story: Depression, he tackles the stigma around mental health – particularly for black men – in his community. 

    His subjects play the role of a couple, where the man is suffering from severe depression. 

    Mr Ngayi obscures the man's facial expressions to reflect his feeling of hopelessness and invisibility: 

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    Quote Message

    “When you are depressed, everything does not seem to make sense. There is a loss of colour, taste, joy. Each day is the same and nothing seems to make sense.”

    Photographer Thembela Nymless Ngayi

    According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point during their lives - ranging from the mild to the severe.  

    But often people are ashamed about seeking help, or face social stigma from others in the community.

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    UK mental health charity Mind has lots more information, external on the symptoms, possible causes and treatments for depression. 

    Do you have experience of depression, either directly or through someone close to you? You can share your stories with us anonymously by email on africalive@bbc.co.uk and we'll post a selection on the live page. 

  9. Four oil producers try to stop the declining oil pricepublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Four of the world's main oil exporters have agreed to freeze production to try to tackle a glut of the commodity that has led to falling prices. 

    The decline in the price has had a negative effect on the economies of two of Africa's biggest oil producers, Nigeria and Angola.

    Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela say they will keep output at January levels as long as other producers do the same. 

    But Iran has already made clear that it wants to increase production following the lifting of sanctions last month. 

    The announcement may not have had the desired effect, with oil prices falling again after news of the consensus between the four became known. 

  10. Kidjo: "Africa is positive, Africa is joyful"published at 11:31 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Angelique KidjoImage source, Reuters

    We reported earlier on Angelique Kidjo's Grammy win (see 09:19 entry) and in her speech she said she was dedicating the award "to all traditional musicians in Africa".

    She also told the audience that they "have to discover... the vibrant and joyful music that comes from my continent".

    And she added:

    Quote Message

    Africa is on the rise. Africa is positive. Africa is joyful."

    US rapper Kendrick Lamar was the big winner on the night, taking five Grammys.

    The website Okay Africa, external described his live performance as "one of the most powerful in live television history".

    During his set, he declared: "I'm African-American. I'm African," the website reports.

    And the performance ended with him standing in front of a silhouetted map of Africa, with the text his LA neighbourhood, Compton, superimposed over it. 

    Kendrick LamarImage source, Getty Images
  11. Interpol 'investigating dead body found on plane' in Hararepublished at 11:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Nomsa Maseko
    BBC Africa, Johannesburg

    Interpol is reportedly working with officials in Zimbabwe to investigate the death of a man whose body was found aboard a cargo plane carrying large sums of South African currency. 

    The plane was grounded in Harare together with its consignment on Sunday. 

    The money on board the plane, which was travelling from Germany to South Africa, was for the South African Reserve bank. 

    The body of an unidentified man, believed to be that of a stowaway, was found inside an air conditioning compartment when it touched down in Harare. 

    It is suspected the deceased hid in the plane's landing gear, which cut his arm when the wheels were pulled up.  

    South Africa's ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela says six crew and some officials from South Africa’s federal bank were on board, and they have been questioned by Zimbabwean police.

    Harare airport
  12. Kenya national broadcasting headquarters closed over unpaid taxespublished at 10:58 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    banner outside KBC

    The premises of Kenya’s state broadcaster were temporarily shut down this morning over unpaid land taxes of up to $20m (£14m), some of which are reported to date back more than half a century, since just after independence. 

    Officials of the Nairobi County government sealed off the gates of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) compound demanding payment. 

    Authorities had earlier threatened to auction the building and the assets of broadcaster, in order to clear the debt. 

    A huge notice displaying the debt owed to the city has now been placed outside the gates of the building.

    It's reported that KBC has now paid $50,000 of what's been owed.

    A county official has told the BBC that dozens of other state departments and institutions owe the city of Nairobi millions of dollars in unpaid land taxes. 

    KBC notice
  13. Oromo children's books to breathe life into once-banned languagepublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    The first publishing company to print children's books in the Oromo language, Africa's fourth largest language, external, which is spoken in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, has been launched.

    The Oromo language is spoken by an estimated 30 million people, and has at times been seen as having a lower status in Ethiopia.

    Toltu Tufa learnt Oromo from her father as she grew up in Australia. She told the BBC's Newsday programme why it was important to her to create the books:

    Media caption,

    The first publishing company for children's books in the Oromo language has launched.

  14. Anti-Kabila strike called in DR Congopublished at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Maud Jullien
    BBC Africa

    The streets of the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, were quieter than usual this morning, because of a general strike called on by opposition and civil society groups.

    They are protesting against any delay in the presidential election that would allow current President Joseph Kabila to extend his stay in power.

    There are suspicions that Mr Kabila's government is trying to slow down the electoral process.

    The constitution says he should stand down at the end of his second term in office, which is in December this year.

    A civil society group in the east of the country, Lucha, says six of its activists were arrested early this morning by policemen as they were praying and preparing banners for the strike. 

    The police spokesperson in Kinshasa was not immediately able to confirm the arrests, he said no incidents had been reported so far.

    French, US and Belgian schools have closed as a precautionary measure.

    Protests in Kinshasa January 2015Image source, AFP
    Image caption,

    There were anti-Kabila protests in Kinshasa in January last year

  15. Uganda's Museveni to wrap up campaignpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    One of the stops that Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni is due to make on the last day of campaigning ahead of Thursday's election is at the official launch of a solar-powered bus.

    The makers say it's the first solar-powered bus on the continent.

    A Ugandan PR executive is tweeting updates on Mr Museveni's campaign:

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  16. Nigeria's sea of tomatoespublished at 09:57 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper, external has a stunning photo to accompany its story of the surplus in this year's tomato harvest, which has caused prices to fall through the floor. 

    One tomato farmer in the northern state of Katsina tells the paper:

    "Our tomato [crop] is fresh and healthy this year as we recorded no pest attack but the problem is the glut which makes its price to drop to 300 Naira ($1.50) from 5,000 Naira ($25) per big basket."

    field of tomatoesImage source, daily trust
    Image caption,

    Tomato farmers are resorting to drying their produce to avoid wastage

  17. Uganda's Besigye: The people have made up their mindspublished at 09:25 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Patience Atuhaire
    BBC Africa, Kampala

    It's the last day of campaigning for Thursday's presidential elections in Uganda.

    The three main candidates - incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi - are all expected to hold final rallies in the capital, Kampala.

    Mr Besigye was briefly detained by police on Monday. Clashes between security forces and his supporters left one man dead and several injured. 

    The police have said that he can hold his rally today, though he will have to follow an agreed route.

    Mr Besigye says that people will not be put off.

    He told a press conference:

    Quote Message

    To those who think that the enthusiasm of the people of Uganda can change or be dampened, by unleashing the type of violence that we saw, I would like to say that it's too late. Your time is up. The people of Uganda have made up their minds."

    Mr Besigye's supporters and police clashed in Kamapla on MondayImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Mr Besigye's supporters and police clashed in Kamapla on Monday

  18. Benin's Angelique Kidjo dedicates Grammy to African artistspublished at 09:19 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

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    Benin's Angelique Kidjo won her third Grammy at the prestigious music awards in Los Angeles last night. 

    Her collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg took Best World Music Album. 

    Kidjo took the prize ahead of stiff competition from South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Malawi's Zomba Prison Project, Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil and Indian sitarist Anoushka Shankar.  

    After the awards, she took to Instagram to celebrate her win:

    "Thanks to my fans! I'm dedicating my Grammy to my fellow African artists and musicians! I love and respect you so much! You inspire me!"

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  19. Buhari sacks his budget directorpublished at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2016

    Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the director general of the government's budget office, Yahaya Gusau, over his handling of the current budget proposal.

    He has been in the job for six months.

    This comes after several questions being raised over the 2016 budget which the president announced at the end of last year.

    There have been accusations that some ministries inflated their budget allocations.

    Mr Gusau has been replaced by Tijjani Abdullahi.

    BuhariImage source, EPA