Summary

  • Attackers remove Nigerian man's eyes 'for ritual'

  • South Africans warned against sex with fake healers

  • Thousands of hawkers' stalls destroyed in Kenya

  • Kenyan MP pushes for law to recognise intersex people

  • Gabon's internet 'switched back on'

  • 'Two billion at risk from Zika in Africa and Asia'

  • Get Involved: #BBCAfricaLive WhatsApp: +44 7341070844

  • Email stories and comments to africalive@bbc.co.uk - Friday 2 September 2016

  1. Scroll down for Friday's storiespublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    We'll be back on Monday

    That's all from the BBC Africa Live page this week. 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

    The antelope that likes life does not enter the mosque of the hunters."

    A Somali proverb sent by Shariff Ahmed in Dadaab, Kenya

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

    And we leave you with this picture from our top shots of the week of camels relaxing near the pyramids of Giza in Egypt to get you into the weekend mood:

    Camels relaxing near the pyramids of Giza, EgyptImage source, Getty
  2. #IWearBlackThisFriday trends in Zimbabwepublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    The hashtag #IWearBlackThisFriday, external is trending in Zimbabwe as another way to protest after the authorities banned demonstrations in the capital, Harare, for the next two weeks.

    Opposition parties had intended to have a protest today.

    Some people have been posting photos of themselves dressed in black:

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  3. The satirical Resident Presidents: Is the African passport useless?published at 18:16 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Our satirical President Olushambles has got his African passport from the African Union.

    But he says he would rather trade it in for a German passport, which gives you visa-free travel to hundreds of countries.

    Listen to his latest rant:

    Media caption,

    Our Resident Presidents discuss the pros and cons of the African Union passport.

  4. South Sudan 'must accept extra UN force'published at 18:05 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Photos of South Sudan’s sacked Vice-President Riek Machar have been released showing him in apparent good health more than a month after he fled the capital, Juba, Reuters news agency reports.

    One of their correspondents had tweeted one of them:

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    Mr Machar went to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, for treatment and has not been seen in public since July's clashes between his supporters and those of President Salva Kiir which killed some 300 people.  

    Meanwhile, a delegation from the UN Security Council has arrived in Juba to discuss a UN resolution to send 4,000 extra peacekeepers to the country.

    The African troops would have a more robust mandate than the 12,000 UN soldiers already there.

    Mr Kiir’s government has described the decision as neo-colonialist and says it will not co-operate with the UN.

    The US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, told journalists in Juba that extra force would be important to help the UN mission protect civilians in future - it struggled to protect some 35,000 people who sought refuge at the base in July.

    The UN has launched an independent investigation into allegations that its peacekeepers also failed to respond when troops loyal to Mr Kiir attacked a residential compound popular with foreign aid workers.

    Some of them recently shared their traumatic experiences with the BBC’s Newsnight programme. Actors read their testimony to protect their identities:

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  5. What's Up Africa: Listening to sex show 'part of the job'published at 17:54 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    There have been protests about the economy in Zimbabwe and about hair in South Africa but satirist Ikenna Azuike starts his report on the week with an investigation into a sex talk show in Kenya. Watch his What's Up Africa round-up in 90 seconds:

    Media caption,

    Satirist Ikenna Azuike with his weekly round-up

  6. South Africa made official candidate to host Rugby World Cuppublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    South Africa rugby team in huddleImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    South Africa's national rugby team has faced criticism not having enough black players

    South Africa features among the four candidates to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, reports the game's regulator World Rugby, external., external

    That's despite government opposition, says the AFP news agency.

    Rugby is among four sports banned by the South African government from hosting international tournaments for failing to create enough opportunities for black players.  

    South Africa is up against Ireland, Italy and France and the winner will be named in November 2017.

    Watch more: South African rugby's race struggle

  7. Moving ministries in Tanzania – 43 years and countingpublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    motorbike taxis
    Image caption,

    Bikers waiting for business in Dodoma which will get busier in years to come

    Some 43 years ago Tanzania's president announced he was going to move the government from the coastal city of Dar es Salaam to the capital, Dodoma.

    But things haven't quite gone to plan.

    Besides parliament, there are only a few official buildings in the city, which was chosen as the capital because it is geographically in the centre of the country, reports the BBC's Aboubakar Famau.  

    But President John Magufuli has promised the whole government - meaning all ministries and their civil servants - will move by the end of his first term in 2020.

    Our reporter took pictures of what the city looks like now.

    Building sites are now a common sight:

    Building site

    As are newly finished buildings...

    New building

    And where it all began - the statue of man who originally planned the Dodoma move, Julius Nyerere - is a popular spot for students to take souvenir pictures:

    Julius Nyerere statue
  8. Fifty one South Africans murdered each daypublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    South Africa's murder rate has increased by 4.9% over the last year, official statistics show.

    A total of 18,673 people were killed in the 12 months to March - 51 people every day - up from 17,805 in the previous year.

    Police Minister Nathi Nhleko was briefing parliament on the latest statistics. 

    Afterwards, speaking to journalists, he put the sharp increase was largely down to domestic violence and alcohol abuse, the AFP news agency reports.

    Quote Message

    What it says about us South Africans is that we are violent, we have a prevalent culture of violence.

    Quote Message

    It's not about what the government can do, it's about what we can (all) do. It's a huge societal issue that we have to deal with."

    But a BBC reporter says his briefing did not contain all bad news:

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    The minister said sexual violence was also down by 3.2%, but could also be because of under reporting.  

    Over a 10-year period, contact crime - when a person is harmed or injured - was down 14%,  Mr Nhleko said.

    A gang member in South Africa holding a gunImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Criminals are often armed in South Africa

  9. Gabon's internet 'turned back on'published at 16:37 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    An Al Jazeera reporter in Gabon's capital, Libreville, has started tweeting this afternoon after a two-day absence:

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    It has been confirmed that two opposition supporters died in overnight clashes with the security forces in Libreville, bringing the number of people killed in violence to five following the disputed presidential election.

    There are also reports of trouble in northern Gabon between Muslim shopkeepers and supporters of the opposition leader Jean Ping, who was declared to have lost the election narrowly.

    The traders are using knives and machetes to stop demonstrators from attacking their shops.

    The opposition accuses President Ali Bongo of rigging his election victory.

    Read the BBC News story for more.

  10. Eyes removed in 'Nigeria ritual attack'published at 16:28 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Ishaq Khalid
    BBC Africa, Bauchi

    Hussain Emmanuel
    Image caption,

    Hussain Emmanuel says he feels helpless and hopeless without his eyes

    A 19-year-old man in the northern Nigerian state of Bauchi says his eyes were removed by people who wanted to use them for ritual purposes.

    Human body parts for use in suspected witchcraft or for charms are mostly taken from children in Nigeria – it is not often that an adult falls victim.

    Hussain Emmanuel, who is being treated in hospital in Bauchi city, says the attack happened two weeks ago in his village in the remote Tafawa Balewa area.

    He said he was lured by two acquaintances in Marti village to a nearby river to go swimming.

    Mr Emmanuel, a self-employed motorbike mechanic, said he was hanging out with the two men because one of them had promised him a job in southern Nigeria.

    But when they got to the river they attacked him, attempted to strangle him with a chain and knocked him unconscious.

    When he woke up, he couldn’t see and began screaming until he was rescued by some passers-by who found both his eyes were missing. 

    Police say they are investigating the case, and have not commented on the motive of the two suspects who have yet to be apprehended.

  11. Africa's most expensive footballer 'understands fans' frustrations'published at 16:07 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Sadio ManeImage source, Getty Images

    When Senegalese footballer Sadio Mane's joined Premier League side Liverpool for £34m ($45m) over the summer, he became Africa's most expensive football player.

    But his compatriots aren't so impressed with the national team's performance - as in recent tournaments they haven't made it out of the group stages.

    Mane told the BBC's Babacar Diarra that he understood their frustration:

    Quote Message

    It’s not easy for them because they know our quality, they know what we can do for them."

    But he was cool about his history-making signing:

    Quote Message

    It’s part of football. Personally I didn’t have a pressure, I've always believe in my quality and I know what I can do for my team.

    The Senegal forward is on international duty with the Lions of Teranga for their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Namibia on Saturday.  

    Watch the full interview on Focus on Africa TV at 17:30 GMT

  12. Ethiopia protests: African Union calls for restraintpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Mary Harper
    Africa editor, BBC World Service

    The African Union has called for restraint in Ethiopia where anti-government protests have continued for several months.

    In a rare statement on the situation, the AU called for dialogue between all parties involved.

    It said deaths had been reported and business disrupted.

    A Dutch-owned flower company in Ethiopia said, external protesters burned down its entire farm earlier this week, causing more than $11m (£8m) worth of damage.

    Human rights groups say at least 500 people have been killed and thousands arrested since the protests began.

    Read more: What is behind Ethiopia's protests?

    Mourners in EthiopiaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    The protests began last year in Oromia

  13. 'I was born with ambiguous genetalia'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    We reported earlier that a Kenyan MP has asked parliament to pass a law to recognise a third gender.

    The BBC's Idris Situma in Nairobi has been talking to the person who highlighted intersex people to the MP Isaac Mwaura.

    James Karanja, who identifies as a male, said that when he was born he had "ambiguous genitalia" and his parents wrongly identified his as a girl:

    Quote Message

    "My official name is Mary Waithera - the name that I was given by my mother after my gender was confused at birth. They thought I was a girl but I'm a boy.

    Quote Message

    I’m from a poor background so they never had a chance to take me to hospital to check my gender."

    Mr Karanja is currently undergoing a surgical realignment procedure, a costly medical expense beyond the reach of many.

    You can catch the full interview on BBC Focus on Africa radio at 15:00 GMT.

  14. Facebook's Zuckerberg returns to Nigeriapublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has returned to Nigeria for a second visit in a week.

    He was on his way back from Kenya.

    Sahara Reporters caught Mr Zuckerberg and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari posing for a selfie:

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    Tola Agunbiade from technology news website Tech Cabal wonders what motivated the second trip, external:

    Quote Message

    Did he suddenly remember he hadn’t seen the Nigerian government? Did he suddenly learn about AVDD and change his mind mid-air? Is he back to cosy up to the government to further his cause (Free Basics, Express Wifi)?

    AVDD is Aso Villa Demo Day  - three start-up companies have made it to the final to pitch their technology ideas to the president today. 

    Mr Zukcerberg was pictured at the event:

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  15. SA banks v the Guptas: SA judicial review callpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    Some members of the Gupta family in South Africa (left and middleImage source, Gallo Images
    Image caption,

    The Guptas moved from India to South Africa in 1993 and have acquired interests in computers, mining and air travel

    The South African cabinet has asked President Jacob Zuma to launch a judicial inquiry into why the country's top banks cut ties with companies owned by the wealthy Gupta family, a statement from the mines ministry says.

    The Indian-born family has faced criticism for being too close to Mr Zuma – and last year both denied that the Guptas had influenced the appointment of key ministers.

    In the wake of the allegations four major banks dropped Gupta-linked companies, whose businesses include media and mining interests. 

    In April, the Guptas’ Oakbay Investments said the closure of its bank accounts had made it virtually impossible to continue business, which could affect 7,500 jobs. 

    The government set up an inter-ministry committee - led by the mines minister - to investigate the banks' move and found they had failed to protect the rights of the Guptas, South Africa’s ENCA news site reports, external

    A family spokesman said the inquiry would not change plans announced last Saturday, external to exit its South African businesses this year, the Reuters news agency reports. 

    UPDATE: President Jacob Zuma’s office issued a statement on the evening of Friday 2 September denying that the cabinet had requested a judicial review. It said , externalthe call came from the mines minister alone.

    Read more: Who are the Guptas?

  16. Afcon 2017: Sierra Leone aim to end 20-year absencepublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    BBC Sport

    Sierra Leone will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for the first time in 20 years if they beat Ivory Coast on Saturday.

    But a point for Ivory Coast from the final Group I match would secure their place in Gabon next year.

    The Leone Stars, who sit 19 places below Ivory Coast in the African rankings, have been in Ghana to prepare for the game in order to avoid pressure from their fans at home.

    "My squad includes many young footballers who have never competed at the Nations Cup and tackling Ivory Coast is a massive challenge for them," Sierra Leone coach Sellas Tettah said.

    The teams drew 0-0 in their first Group I encounter last year in a match moved from Sierra Leone to Nigeria because of the Ebola virus.

    Ivory Coast will be eager to avoid a shock defeat that would end their defence of the title they won in Equatorial Guinea.

    The BBC Sport story has a full table of the this weekend's Afcon qualifying fixtures.

    Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone football playersImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Leone Stars, in blue, face Ivory Coast's mighty Elephants

  17. Kenyan MP pushes for law to recognise intersex peoplepublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    A Kenyan MP has asked the country's parliament to pass a law to recognise a third gender to end discrimination against those who identify as intersex.

    Isaac Mwaura is also asking for funding for gender alignment surgery and a public awareness campaign to end stigma against intersex people.

    "They see me as a curse," one person born female who later developed male physical characteristics told the BBC.

    Intersex are people whose sex is neither completely male nor female.

    Read the BBC News story.

    Isaac Mwaura
    Image caption,

    Isaac Mwaura is also asking for funding for alignment surgeries and a public sensitisation campaign

  18. get involved

    Get Involved: Should lenders look at your Facebook profile?published at 13:22 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    People taking selfiesImage source, Thinkstock
    Image caption,

    What would lenders make of your Facebook profile?

    A few readers have been commenting on Facebook, external on the money lenders that use your social media profile to decide if they will give you a loan.

    Jackson Ter from Lokoja in Nigeria doesn't seem worried about the principle behind this, but worries lenders may be deceived:

    Quote Message

    A social media profile can be deceitful, I don't think it should be the criteria."

    While McEden Wangang says he thinks it is a great idea:

    Quote Message

    If you're irresponsible it will hardly be hidden for long especially if you use the social media."

    Tell us on Facebook, external or Twitter, external how you feel about handing over this information in exchange for a loan.

    Is it an invasion of privacy or a smart way of working out credit worthiness?

    You can also tell us what you think on Whatsapp: +44 7341070844

  19. Guinea-Bissau's Zika cases 'not imported from Americas'published at 13:19 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    MosquitoImage source, SPL
    Image caption,

    Zika is spread by mosquitos

    The Zika cases found in Guineau-Bissau in July do not stem from the strain linked to a surge in birth defects in Latin America - the so-called Asian strain, the World Health Organization (WHO) says, external.

    Quote Message

    In Guinea-Bissau, the gene sequencing results of the four confirmed Zika cases sent in July have preliminarily confirmed that the cases are of the African lineage, ie, not the predominant global outbreak Asian lineage."

    WHO

    However, the WHO said an investigation was ongoing into five reported cases in Guinea-Bissau of microcephaly, when children are born with unusually small heads – which may be linked to Zika.

    Earlier we reported, that researchers had warned that more than two billion people were in danger of Zika infection in Africa and Asia.

    That study said that only country in Africa to have confirmed locally acquired infections with the Asian strain - behind the predominant global outbreak - was Cape Verde.

    The virus was first discovered in 1947 in Uganda's Zika forest and has been widespread on the continent since then. 

    Read more: Tracing Zika to its origins in Uganda

  20. South Africa's 'noiseless condoms'published at 12:51 British Summer Time 2 September 2016

    South Africa’s deputy president took advantage of the fact that his boss – President Jacob Zuma – was out of the country when he stood in for him in parliament on Thursday, presenting government-issue, noiseless fruit-flavoured condoms to MPs:

    Media caption,

    'Noiseless condoms' presented in South African parliament

    The condoms, Cyril Ramaphosa explained, were developed after complaints that government condoms were smelly and noisy.

    It caused quite a hubbub in parliament.

    Daily Maverick columnist Ranjeni Munusamy wrote, external that the "unorthodox move" was "quite unconventional" for the "normally prim and proper" Mr Ramaphosa:

    Quote Message

    His animated performance drew blushes and grins from the ANC benches and howls from the opposition, including 'You must give them to Zuma!' from the Economic Freedom Fighters [EFF]."

    The Daily Maverick columnist was not impressed by Mr Ramaphosa's performance, saying he played it "too safe" and did not reveal qualities of a true leader.  

    The EFF comment refers to a case 10 years ago when Mr Zuma admitted during his trial on a rape charge that he had had sex without a condom with a woman with HIV. He was cleared but the admission caused shock in a country where some seven million people are HIV positive.

    Read more: How do you make a man wear a condom?