Summary

  • Zimbabwe's leader pleads for end to protests

  • Nigerian troops killed by men "disguised as priests"

  • Amnesty accuses Ethiopia's security forces of killing protesters

  • Gabon bans night travel on main road

  • Ugandan minister warns gay community

  • Koffi Olomide performs at first concert since 'assault'

  • Get Involved: #BBCAfricaLive WhatsApp: +44 7341070844

  • Email stories and comments to africalive@bbc.co.uk - Monday 8 August 2016

  1. Scroll down for Monday's storiespublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    We'll be back tomorrow

    That's all from the BBC Africa Live page today. Keep up-to-date with what's happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or checking the BBC News website.   

    A reminder of today's wise words:

    Quote Message

    To measure how big the chicken is, first remove its feathers."

    Sent by Ernest Mulenga, Mufulira, Zambia

    Click here and scroll to the bottom to send us your African proverbs.  

    And we leave you with this image of Manon Brunet of France in action against Azza Besbes (L) of Tunisia during the women"s Sabre individual quarter-finals of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games: 

    Manon Brunet of France in action against Azza Besbes (L) of TunisiaImage source, European Photopress Agency
  2. Rio Olympics 2016: Big night for Chad le Clospublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    South Africa's Chad Le ClosImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    South Africa's Chad Le Clos

    Chad le Clos has a busy night ahead as he goes in the men’s 200m butterfly semi-finals at 02:10 GMT and 02:19 GMT to defend the title he won in London four years ago. 

    Le Clos won his heat and qualified for the semi-final 3rd fastest overall. 

    The man he beat to gold in London, the USA’s Michael Phelps, was third in his heat and fifth fastest overall. 

    Le Clos’ compatriot Sebastian Rousseau failed to advance after finishing last in his heat. Hungarian duo Tamas Kenderesi and Laszlo Cseh were the fastest into the semi-finals.

    Before that semi-final Le Clos goes in the final of the 200m freestyle. He qualified as the 7th fastest, with China’s Sun Yang the fastest. He has won silver in the 400m freestyle already in Rio.

  3. Rio Olympics 2016: Namibian boxer arrested for 'attempted sexual assault'published at 17:48 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Jonas JuniusImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Jonas Junius carried the Namibian flag during the opening ceremony in Rio

    A Namibian boxer has been arrested by Brazilian police on suspicion of attempting to sexually assault a maid in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic village.

    She alleged Jonas Junius, 22, had grabbed her and tried to kiss her. 

    She also accused him of offering her money to have sex.

    Junius is competing in the light welter weight division.

    Last week, a Moroccan boxer was arrested by police after allegedly assaulting two female cleaners.

    Read the full story here

  4. Libyans 'bury drowned migrants'published at 17:45 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    BBC World Service

    The residents of a town in Libya have reportedly buried the bodies of 21 drowned migrants that had washed up on their beach. 

    The authorities are said to have done nothing to facilitate the disposal of the corpses. 

    They lay decomposing for three days on the shore at Al-Maya, west of the capital, Tripoli.

     And as local people became increasingly concerned about the risk of the corpses spreading disease, they decided to act themselves and arranged the burials.    

    Read: Namless dead of the Mediterranean

    Mediterranean
    Image caption,

    Migrants often cross the Mediterranean in rickety boats to reach Europe

  5. 'Freedom to dress'published at 17:38 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Germany vs EgyptImage source, AFP

    People have been commenting on the pictures of the women's volleyball match between Egypt and Germany at the Rio 2016 Olympics. 

    Here's a selection of comments from Twitter:

    Quote Message

    Cultural differences in one photo.

    @ByJasonNg

    Quote Message

    Two #cultures enjoying the same #sport."

    @SherifGhatwarya

    Quote Message

    Freedom to dress."

    @Waithash

  6. Deby inaugurated for fifth termpublished at 17:09 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    James Copnall
    Africa editor, BBC World Service

    Idriss Deby looks on during the inauguration of his fifth term as president on August 8, 2016 in N"Djamena.Image source, AFP

    Chad's President Idriss Deby has been sworn in for a fifth term. An opposition coalition had called for people to stay at home, describing it as a national day of mourning. 

    It does not recognise the election result, saying the poll was rigged. 

    Mr Deby seized power in 1990 and has been in office ever since. 

    His swearing in ceremony was attended by several African presidents and the French defence minister. 

    Mr Deby has been able to obtain foreign support by presenting himself as a force for stability in the region. 

    Read: Chad profile

  7. New president for Sao Tome and Principepublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    A photograph dated 15 July 2016 showing the presidential candidate Evaristo Carvalho during a political rally at Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. Evaristo Carvalho won on 17 July 2016 the presidential elections in Sao Tome and Principe.Image source, EPA

    Former Prime Minister Evaristo Carvalho has been elected president of Sao Tome and Principe after incumbent Manuel Pinto da Costa dropped out of the race, citing irregularities, Reuters news agency reports.

    Mr Carvalho won 42,058 votes in Sunday's poll, the National Electoral Commission (CEN) said, announcing provisional results. 

    Only 46% of voters voted and of those 18% turned in blank or invalid ballots, CEN chairman Alberto Pereira is quoted by Reuters as saying. 

    Map

    Mr Carvalho, the vice-president of the ruling party, was guaranteed victory in Sunday's run-off after the president withdrew from the race, alleging the first round on 17 July was marred by widespread irregularities. 

     He trailed Mr Carvalho in that round by 24.8% to 49.8%. 

     A run-off was organised because of Mr Carvalho's failure to secure a clear majority. 

    The outgoing president ruled the former Portuguese colony from independence in 1975 until 1991, and again over the last five years. 

  8. What is behind Ethiopia's wave of protests?published at 16:44 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Protests in Oromia regionImage source, AFP

    Ethiopia's government normally keeps a tight grip on the country but has been unable to prevent a wave of protests in recent months. 

    There has not been anything on this scale in the last 25 years.

    They began in the Oromia region last November but have now sprung up in the Amhara region - the homelands of the country's two biggest ethnic groups.

    Read the full analysis here

  9. Ethiopia's security forces 'kill nearly 100'published at 16:27 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    ReutersImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration on Saturday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa

    At least 97 people were killed and hundreds more injured when Ethiopian security forces fired live bullets at peaceful protesters across the Oromia and Amhara regions over the weekend, Amnesty International says it has learned from credible sources. 

    Thousands of protesters turned out in Oromia and Amhara - Ethiopia's two most populated regions - to demand political reform, justice and the rule of law, Amnesty said.

    It added that 67 people were believed to have killed in different protests in Oromia. 

    The worst bloodshed, which "may amount to extrajudicial killings", took place in the northern city of Bahir Dar where at least 30 people were killed in one day, Amnesty said.

    Hundreds were also being held at unofficial detention centres, including police and military training bases, the rights group said.

    Its regional director, Michelle Kagari, added: 

    Quote Message

    The security forces’ response was heavy-handed, but unsurprising. Ethiopian forces have systematically used excessive force in their mistaken attempts to silence dissenting voices."

    Quote Message

    These crimes must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated and all those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts without recourse to death penalty.”

    The government has blamed "foreign enemies", social media activists and "terrorist groups" for the violence. 

    See earlier posts for more details 

  10. Gunmen 'disguised as priests' in deadly Nigerian attackpublished at 16:01 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar
    BBC Africa, Abuja

    Nigeria is experiencing the uprising of a militant group called the Niger Delta AvengersImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Militants have been attacking oil pipelines in the Niger Delta

    Gunmen disguised as priests in white robes and red caps have killed three Nigerian soldiers and and have stolen their weapons at a jetty in the oil-rich Niger Delta, a traditional ruler has said. 

    The attack in Nembe town in southern Bayelsa state came just days after 11 soldiers lost their lives in an ambush by armed bandits in the north of the country.  

    Security officials and local sources said at least three gunboats may have been seized in the latest attack. 

    The soldiers killed were part of ”Operation Crocodile Tears”, which is trying to secure oil facilities in the Niger Delta. 

    The attack took place at the jetty where about a year ago five soldiers and a policeman were killed and their weapons seized by the gunmen. 

    No group has said it carried out the raid, but the newly formed Niger Delta Avengers group has carried out a spate of attcks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta this year. 

    These attacks have severely disrupted oil production, worsening the economic crisis. 

    The militants say they are fighting for the government to use more oil revenue on curbing poverty in the region.  

  11. South African cleric condemns ANC's 'arrogance'published at 15:52 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    South African ruling party African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma (C) arrives for the ANC closing rally campaign for the municipal elections at Ellis Park Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Johannesburg, South AfricaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Mr Zuma has been blamed for the ANC's worst result

    A leading South African cleric has said that the governing African National Congress (ANC) suffered heavy losses in local government elections last week because of  its "arrogance" and dismissiveness" of voters.

    In a statement, Archbishop Njongonkulu, the former Anglican church head in southern Africa, added:  

    Quote Message

    There is a wonderful saying that you can fool some of the people some of the time; you can even fool all of the people some of the time; but you can’t fool all the people all the time.

    Quote Message

    The years of corruption and mismanagement of the Jacob Zuma government have taken their toll on the once proud organisation that was the ANC."

    The results saw the ANC suffering its worst defeat since it took power at the end of apartheid in 1994. 

    The opposition Democratic Alliance won the highest number of votes in Tshwane (which includes the capital, Pretoria) and Nelson Mandela Bay, a region from where some of South Africa's most revered anti-apartheid figures came.    

  12. Crowds cheer Besigye after his court appearancepublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Supporters of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye today swept the streets and cheered him on after his court appearance in the capital, Kampala. 

    Mr Besigye is facing charges of treason after allegedly declaring himself president following the February election which was won by long-serving ruler Yoweri Museveni. 

    Besigye alleges he was cheated out of victory. 

    These images were shared by NBS television station: 

  13. US worried about Ethiopia protestspublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    The US embassy in Ethiopia says it is deeply concerned about the violence which erupted in the country's Oromia and Amhara regions during anti-government protests at the weekend. 

    Read the full statement below:

    US reacts to Ethiopia protestsImage source, US Embassy in Ethiopia

    US President Barack Obama visited Ethiopia last year, describing it as an "outstanding partner" in the fight against militant Islamists.

    He also called on Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to improve the country's record on human rights and good governance.

    "I don't bite my tongue too much when it comes to these issues," Mr Obama said at the time. 

  14. Taiwan outraged over Kenyan deportationspublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Taiwan has protested to Kenya over its decision to send five of its citizens to China after they were acquitted of running a cyber crime cell last week. 

    The deportations violated their human rights and "seriously hurt the feelings of Taiwanese people", Taiwanese officials.  

    A Kenyan court acquitted 35 Chinese and five Taiwanese who were in custody since December 2014.

    The court instructed the Taiwanese to be repatriated to their country.   

    Statement from Kenya's courtImage source, Kenyan judiciary

    The group was accused of being involved in running an unlicensed telecommunication system and was engaged in organised crime, charges they had denied.     

    Taiwanese officials, who flew to Kenya from South Africa to deal with the crisis as Taiwan does not have an embassy in Nairobi, told the BBC the five were rearrested and deported to China on Sunday evening. 

    Kenya deported dozens of Taiwanese in April also accused of fraud, after they had been cleared of charges.    

    China has praised Kenya for supporting its "one-China policy".

    Beijing views Taiwan - self-ruling since 1950 - as a renegade region that must be reunited with the mainland.

    It insists that other countries cannot recognise both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only a few countries.

    Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with Kenya.

  15. What are Zambia's election issues?published at 14:21 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Zambian President Edgar Lungu addressing supportersImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Zambian President Edgar Lungu addressing supporters

    It's the final week of campaigning in Zambia, one of Africa's most stable democracies. 

    On Thursday Zambians will go to the polls - electing a new president and voting in a referendum on a bill of rights which includes the age of consent for marriage. 

    The economy is slowly recovering from a recent slump in prices on commodity goods, such as copper. 

    Zambia has also been hit by power cuts, which the government has blamed on drought.

    The government says there has been a rise in the harvest of the staple food, maize, but generally food and living costs remain high.

    Tonight, Focus on Africa will be broadcasting live from Zambia's capital, Lusaka. We will be looking at how Zambia will be voting, what are the talking points among Zambians before they cast their votes, and so much more. 

    We'd like to hear from you. Share your comments and questions for our guests on Facebook and Twitter (BBC Africa) and via Whatsapp on +44 7734 77 8817. It's tonight on Focus on Africa, with our Zambia special, at 1500 and 1700GMT.

  16. Angolan soldiers 'killed' by secessionistspublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    A road crossing is seen in Cabinda, Angola on January 20, 2010Image source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Rebels are demanding independence for Cabinda

    A rebel group in Angola says it has killed 10 soldier and wounded nine in fighting in the oil-producing Cabinda region. 

    The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), which wants independence for a region which accounts for half of Angola's oil output, has taken a more militant stance since the death of its 88-year-old founder Nzita Tiago earlier this year in exile in France, Reuters news agency says.  

    In its statement on Monday, FLEC also called on China's government to repatriate all its citizens in the oil-producing area as their presence "constitutes a provocation", the agency reports. 

  17. Ethiopia accuses 'foreign enemies' of fuelling protestspublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    A protester chants slogans during a demonstration over what they say is unfair distribution of wealth in the country at Meskel Square in Ethiopia"s capital Addis Ababa, August 6, 2016.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Campaigners say the security forces have disrupted peaceful protests

    Ethiopia's government has accused "foreign enemies", social media activists and "terrorist groups" of being behind the riots which have swept through its north-western and southern regions, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) reports.

    Protesters were arrested for destroying property and killing the security forces and citizens during the unauthorised demonstrations in the Oromia and Amhara regions at the weekend, it quotes a government statement as saying. 

    Arrests were also made in the capital, Addis Ababa, the statement added. 

    The "destructive forces" would be brought to justice, and would not be allowed to jeopardise Ethiopia's peace and development, FBC quotes the statement as saying.

    The government has been facing protests from the two largest ethnic communities over alleged human rights abuses and other issues.

    Read: Oromo protests and Ethiopian unity

  18. Mugabe in unity pleapublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Samuel Meso holds a banner with a message directed at Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe while taking part in a demonstration in Harare in this Wednesday, August, 3 2016 photo.Image source, AP
    Image caption,

    Protests to demand an end to Mr Mugabe's 36-year rule have increased in recent months

    Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has called for an end to protests against his rule and the worsening economic situation, saying the nation needed to be united to progress, the state-owned Herald newspaper reports, external.

    Speaking at a rally to mark Heroes Day, the 92-year-old leader said: 

    Quote Message

    I call for peace and unity among Zimbabweans. Let us remain united in defence of our sovereignty, in defence of what our national heroes fought for.

    Quote Message

    We should remain united, remain cognisant of the fact that without unity we cannot make much progress...

    Quote Message

    That's why things like protests don't pay because they end up being violent protests."

    Heroes Day commemorates those who died during Zimbabwe's war of independence.

    See earlier post for more details

  19. Internet shutdown ends as protests continue in Ethiopiapublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    BBC Monitoring

    Internet shutdown ends as protests continue in EthiopiaImage source, AFP

    Internet and telephone services have been restored in Ethiopia, two days after they were reportedly disrupted by the authorities following the eruption of anti-government protests in the north-western and southern regions.

    Media reports indicate that internet and phone services were interrupted in reaction to the protests in Amhara in the north-west) and Oromiya in the south.

    BBC Monitoring observed that nearly all Ethiopian media sources - state and private - based inside the country did not update their websites on 6 and 7 August. Some of the websites have started updating today.

    There has been no official comment by the government on the alleged shutdown, but international and opposition media outlets operating inside Ethiopia reported problems accessing the internet.

    Opposition media accused the authorities of disrupting the telecom systems as part of efforts to crackdown on the protests.

    The website of the exiled opposition Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) said on 7 August that the services "were cut off by the regime in Bahir Dar and Gonder."

    Read: what is behind Amhara trouble? 

  20. Ugandan minister warns gay communitypublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 8 August 2016

    Patience Atuhaire
    BBC Africa, Kampala

    Activist in UgandaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Gay Ugandans face discrimination and threats of violence

    Uganda's government will continue to suppress activities organised by the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, Ethics and Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo has said, as he defended last week's police crackdown on Gay Pride Week. 

    He told reporters:  

    Quote Message

    The promotion of gay activities is unwelcome in this nation...We have noted that the promotions being held are aimed at mobilizing people to join this LGBT movement, which goes against the argument that gays are born that way.

    Quote Message

    In our own cultural setting, anything to do with sexuality is reserved, and left only to take place in private, between four walls and in confidentiality. It is not acceptable that homosexuality be allowed to be performed anywhere, any time, anyhow."

    Quote Message

    A programme to rehabilitate the members of LGBTI community with the ultimate aim of giving them a chance to live normal lives again has been developed in my office. And government remains committed to ensuring that Ugandans live to their cherished values and principles."

    Police raided a Gay Pride week event at a nightclub  in the capital, Kampala, on Thursday.  

    Uganda's small LGBTI community had organised a Mr and Ms Pride event, as part of the Gay Pride week.

    Organisers were also forced to cancel a parade planned for Saturday following pressure from  the government. 

    Ethics and Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo
    Image caption,

    Simon Lokodo is a former Catholic priest

    Nicholas Opiyo, the lawyer representing the LGBTI community, told the BBC on Friday that the minister had threatened to mobilise a larger police force and even Ugandan citizens to attack any people promoting gay activities.

    Legislation allowing for life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality" and banning the "promotion of homosexuality" was annulled by Uganda's constitutional court in 2014.  

    However, homosexual acts remain illegal in Uganda.