Summary

  • Ghanaian father of 100 wants more children

  • Madonna opens new children's hospital in Malawi

  • South African communists do not want Zuma at party congress

  • Afrobeats star Bobi Wine has been sworn in as an MP in Uganda

  • Melinda Gates to pledge millions of dollars for contraceptives

  • French diplomatic delegation 'denied Rwanda visas'

  • Anger over Macron's comment on African "civilisational' comment

  • New vaccine to protect against gonorrhoea

  • Kenya ready for IAAF World Under-18 Championships

  • Tanzania sports council dissolved

  1. Scroll down for Tuesday's storiespublished at 18:06 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    We'll be back tomorrow

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

    A reminder of today's wise words:

    Quote Message

    Beautiful things don't ask for attention. "

    A Kigezi proverb sent by Timothy Ahumuza in Kampala, Uganda

    Click here to send us your African proverbs.

    And we leave you with this picture from Instagram of somewhere in Basra in Mauritania's capital Nouakchott.

    This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Instagram
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip instagram post

    Allow Instagram content?

    This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of instagram post
  2. The super-banana engineered to save livespublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Lack of vitamin A causes blindness and even death in African children.

    Scientists in Australia have genetically-engineered a banana with an extra dose of the nutrient. Professor James Dale explains.

  3. Madonna arrives for opening of children's hospitalpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    We reported earlier that US pop superstar Madonna was in Malawi to open a newly built children's hospital wing in Malawi that was funded by her charity.

    She has now posted a video of her arrival at the hospital which is based in Malawi's second city of Blantyre.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  4. Pistorius trial legal analyst charged with fraudpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    A woman who acted as a legal analyst for the media during the Oscar Pistorius trial has appeared in court charged with fraud.

    Brenda Wardle - who denies the charges - is accused of pretending to be a practising attorney and offering to represent a convicted murderer.

    She appeared at Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court on Monday, South African media report.

    She featured as an expert on the BBC during the 2014 Pistorius trial.

    Ms Wardle also published a book called To Kill A Fragile Rose: The State's Case Against Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius.

    For more read:Pistorius legal analyst Brenda Wardle on fraud charges

    Brenda Wardle on BBC
    Image caption,

    Brenda Wardle(L) being interviewed on BBC, has appeared in court on fraud charges

  5. Suspects in court over Tunisia deadly museum attackpublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Suspects behind the March 2015 attack on the Bardo museum in the capital, Tunis in which 21 foreign tourists and a police officer were killed have appeared in court, AFP reports quoting court officials.

    The so called Islamic State claimed the attack.

    A defence lawyer Samir Ben Amor told AFP that 21 detained suspects, including two women were present at the unannounced hearing.

    Another defence lawyer, Rafik Ghak says that nearly 30 people are also being tried in absentia. None of the suspects were named.

    Since the revolution in 2011 over 120 security officers, and 20 civilians as well as 59 foreign tourists have been killed in militant attacks according to an official tally.

    Over 5,000 Tunisians have left the country to join militant islamist groups mainly in Iraq, Syria and Libya, AFP reports.

    Mosaics at the national Bardo MuseumImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack

  6. Ola Aina: Chelsea defender joins Hull City on loan for seasonpublished at 17:23 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Championship side Hull City have signed Chelsea defender Ola Aina, 20, on a season-long loan.

    The full-back made three substitute appearances in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup, and started two EFL Cup games last season.

    He is the first major arrival at Hull since Leonid Slutsky was appointed as manager in June.

    Aina who was born in London has declared his allegiance to Nigeria.

    "I'm very excited to be here and it is the start of a new chapter in my career. I just want to hit the ground running," Aina told Hull's website.

    Read full story

    Ola Aina (left)Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Ola Aina played against AC Milan and Real Madrid in friendlies prior to the 2016-17 season.

  7. Nigeria's first lady Aisha Buhari issues cryptic warningpublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Nigeria's first lady has warned that "hyenas and jackals" will be banished in a cryptic Facebook post apparently aimed at her husband's officials.

    Aisha Buhari's comments seem to be directed towards powerful ruling party politicians, says the BBC's Naziru Mikailu, in the capital Abuja.

    The senior politicians appear to be suspected of manoeuvring for the presidency or deputy presidency while her husband is ill.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been in London since May receiving treatment.

    The vice-president has been acting in his place while he is out of the country, but there is no suggestion he is part of any plot against Mr Buhari.

    Mrs Buhari, who is also in London, says her 74 year old husband is recuperating well.

    For more read: Nigeria first lady Aisha Buhari warns off 'hyenas' on Facebook

    Aisha Buhari with President Muhammadu BuhariImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Aisha Buhari with President Buhari in 2015

  8. Ghanaian man with 100 children wants morepublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Thomas Naadi
    BBC Africa, Accra

    Today is World Population Day - and one man in Ghana has 100 reasons to mark his particular contribution.

    Kofi Asilenu, 80, is the father of 100 children by 12 wives.

    He lives with his family in a village called Amankrom, a 45-minute drive from the capital Accra.

    His family make up a third of the 600 people in the village.

    He told me that he wanted a big family because he did not have siblings:

    Quote Message

    I don’t have any brother or uncle, that’s why I decided to have many children so that they can give me a befitting burial when I die. In my home town if you give birth to one child they will say you are important so I want to have many children."

    Kofi Asilenu
    Image caption,

    Asilenu says he might have more children

    His big family has, however, come at a cost. He says that he was well off financially, but his resources have mostly been drained due to the cost of raising such a large brood - even though he says now he gets financial help from his children.

    Kofi Asilenu looks physically strong and even says he is willing to have more children - despite having mistakenly proposed to one of his daughters three years ago.

    The embarrassing incident meant he was forced to apologise to her, explaining that he had an eye problem so he could not recognise her.

    As for his wives, they are all happy with the set up.

    First wife Nayome Asilenu told the BBC:

    Quote Message

    When I married my husband and he decided to marry more women, I didn’t have any option. He’s able to take care of us, pay the children’s school fees. They are healthy and strong so there’s nothing wrong with that."

    Polygamy was preferred in Ghana, to have many children was seen as a symbol of wealth. However, things have changed with women having more control on deciding how many children they can have and also birth control measures have been promoted nationwide.

  9. Kenya ready for IAAF World Under-18 Championshipspublished at 16:11 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Idris Situma
    BBC Swahili, Nairobi

    Safaricom stadium Kasarani
    Image caption,

    Kenya spent $25m to refurbish the Kasarani stadium

    The stage is set for the 10th and final edition of the IAAF World Under-18 Championships, at the Safaricom stadium Kasarani in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

    This is after the IAAF president Lord Sebastian Coe gave the venue a big thumps up, thanks to a $25m (£20m) renovation.

    More than 800 athletes from at least 131 countries have already arrived in the country ahead of tomorrow's official opening.

    Organisers have planned a grand opening ceremony to be hosted by the President of the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) Lord Sebastian Coe and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    When Lord Coe visited the 30-year-old, newly refurbished stadium, he was treated to a trip down memory lane.

    He got an opportunity to meet some of his stiffest rivals during his days as a competing athlete- including Billy Konchella the former 800m World Champion.

    He said it was a pleasure to meet some of his former rivals:

    Quote Message

    So much of my career was defined by competing against Kenyan athletes this is incredible to meet some of my fierce rivals."

    Quote Message

    It’s a great pleasure to even get an opportunity to remind them of the good times across the world’’

    Coe a former track and field world champion was impressed by the work on the ground and declared Nairobi ready for the biggest athletics event ever to be hosted on African soil:

    Quote Message

    Kenya is actually hosting the largest ever world Athletics championships to ever be held in Africa . This will be a formidable championship"

    Security is extremely tight at the venue with a police station set up on the grounds.

    Time board at Safaricom stadium Kasarani
    Image caption,

    Will world records be broken in Nairobi?

    Participants in the Under 18 championships
    Image caption,

    Athletes at the IAAF World Under-18 Championships

  10. Tanzania's sports council dissolvedpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Sammy Awami
    BBC Africa, Dar es Salaam

    Harrison Mwakyembe
    Image caption,

    Sport minister Harrison Mwakyembe accused the council of negligence

    Tanzania's national sports council, the body in charge of sport management in the country, has been dissolved following allegations of corruption.

    This news has not come as a surprise as it has long been accused of incompetence.

    While dissolving the council, the sports minister Harrison Mwakyembe, said their failure to improve sports in the country had nothing to do with a shortage of funds but rather out of negligence.

    He also accused the council’s operation of being dominated by corruption.

    However the former Secretary General of the council Mohammed Kiganja denies this:

    Quote Message

    First of all, I must say that there was no corruption in the council. Though corruption has dominated the sports(sector) in the country in general.

    Quote Message

    If you go to elections in the football clubs, from the district to national level you’ll also find these problems”

    The shut down of the council comes just a fortnight after the president and other top officials of the country’s football federation were charged with money laundering.

  11. 'Who Fears Death' to get HBO treatmentpublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Nigerian-American author Nnedi Okorafor has announced her book has been picked up by arguably the world's most famous fantasy fiction writer, George RR Martin.

    The man behind the hugely successful Game of Thrones series looks set to be executive producer on Okorafor's 2012 book "Who Fears Death".

    She shared the exciting news on Twitter:

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  12. AMISOM 'returns' university to Somaliapublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    A university campus used as military base for the last decade has been handed back to Somalia's government.

    In what appears to be another step to normalcy, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) today gave back the main campus of Somalia's National University, the BBC's Mogadishu reporter, Ibrahim Mohamed Adan, said.

    The rundown campus has been used as a base by AMISOM for 10 years.

    At the ceremony was the AU representative for Somalia, Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira, Somalia's education minister, Abdirahman Dahir Osman, Italy's ambassador to Somalia, Carlo Campanile, and the UN special representative, Michael Keating.

    AU formally handing over university campus to Somali governmentImage source, Ibrahim Mohamed Adan
    Image caption,

    AU rep to Somalia Francisco Jose Madeira (R) hands over campus to Somali government

    Delegates at hand over of SomaliaImage source, Ibrahim Mohamed Adan
    Image caption,

    Italian ambassador Carlo Campanile (L), AU representative for Somalia Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira and Somalia's Education Minister Abdirahman Dahir Osman

    Building at Somalia's main UniversityImage source, Ibrahim Mohamed Adan
    Image caption,

    A university building that was home to AMISOM for 10 years

    Rundown part of Somalia's main universityImage source, Ibrahim Mohamed Adan
    Image caption,

    A rundown building at Somalia's national university

  13. 'Rooney will play in Tanzania'published at 14:39 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Nick Cavell
    BBC Africa Sport

    Everton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that English international Wayne Rooney will play against Kenya’s Gor Mahia in a friendly in Tanzania on Thursday.

    It will be Rooney’s first match back in an Everton shirt since he returned to the club from Manchester United.

    Koeman told the Everon website: “I’ve been several times to Africa but never to Tanzania, I’m looking forward to it. We leave on Tuesday evening and are back on Friday."

    That’s good because it’s not too long and it won’t have a negative effect on our pre-season. This is our first friendly and everybody will be involved for 45 minutes in the game. You play football to win and we will do that in Tanzania.”

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  14. 'Women like me don't play music'published at 14:02 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    A Burkinabe musician is hoping to encourage more women to pick up traditional instruments.

    Salimata Diabate overcame many challenges in order to pursue a career in music whilst growing up in Burkina Faso.

    Ms Diabate is now a renowned singer and balafon player and she hopes others will follow her lead.

  15. MSF calls for release of abducted colleagues in DR Congopublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    The international humanitarian NGO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is calling for the release of three of its members four years from the day they were abducted in North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)

    According to a statemen, externalt four of them were in North Kivu, on July 11 2013, to assess medical needs in Kamango, in the region when they were abducted during an attack on the village by the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

    The ADF has been operating in Uganda and DR Congo since the late 1990's.

    In August 2014 one of four who had been taken hostage managed to escape during an operation by the Congolese army against the ADF.

    There has however not been no news of the whereabouts of Philippe Bundya Musongelwa, Richard Muhindo Matabishi and Romy Ya-Dunia Ntibanyendera.

    The statement says that the ADF continues to fuel a climate of terror in the region between the Rwenzori Mountains and the forests of Virunga National Park.

    Abductions are still common and hundreds of people- Congolese, Ugandans, Burundians and Tanzanians have disappeared in this regional conflict.

    3 abducted MSF workersImage source, MSF
    Image caption,

    MSF staff abducted 4 years ago by ADF

  16. Afrobeats star Bobi Wine now MPpublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    One of Uganda's top Afrobeats musicians, Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has been sworn in as a member of parliament, the local New Vision newspaper is reporting, external

    The paper says he was sworn in by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, at the parliamentary buildings in the capital, Kampala, following his victory in a by-election last month.

    She gave him a copy of the house rules and the constitution:

    Quote Message

    “Honorable Kyagulanyi I congratulate and welcome you to the 10th parliament. Here is a copy of the rules of procedure and constitution. Study them and they will guide you."

    Since he is an independent MP, Mr Kyagulanyi was asked to choose which side of the house he preferred to sit and he picked the opposition side, the New Vision reports.

    See earlier post for more details

  17. Madonna to open new Malawi children's hospitalpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    US pop superstar Madonna is due to open a children's hospital wing in Malawi's second city of Blantyre, that her charity, Raising Malawi, has built.

    The Mercy and James Centre is named after two of her four adopted Malawian children.

    The paediatric hospital unit has taken two years to build and includes three operating theatres and a 50-bed ward.

    It is the first specialist health unit for children in the southern African nation, doubling the capacity for paediatric care at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, the report says.

    Madonna tweeted a video of the new hospital wing:

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post

    President Peter Mutharika is expected to attend the opening ceremony.

    Madonna, 58, set up the Raising Malawi charity in 2006, and has been a regular visitor to Malawi.

  18. SA communists ban Zuma from addressing party eventpublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Jacob ZumaImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    In May, Zuma was forced to abandon a rally after he was jeered by the crowd

    South Africa's Communist Party (SACP), a key ally of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has banned President Jacob Zuma from addressing its congress this week, the party spokeswoman told AFP news agency reports.

    Hlengiwe Nkonyane said the decision was based on Mr Zuma's political problems:

    "We advised the ANC that due to the tensions we are having... it would be best for the president not to address the national congress."

    It will be the first time that President Zuma, who came to power in 2009, has not addressed the congress, held every four years, AFP reports.

    SACP has been increasingly critical of Mr Zuma and called on him to step down over his alleged scandals and his connections to the controversial Gupta family, which is said to have undue influence over his government, a situation that has negatively affected ANC's public support.

    In May, he was forced to abandon a rally after he was jeered by the crowd, and the SACP said it did not want the same to happen at its event.

    The SACP, along with the ANC and the trade union federation Cosatu, was at the forefront of the struggle to end white-minority rule that led to the first non-racial elections in 1994.

    Mr Zuma will on 8 August face a motion of no-confidence in parliament called by the opposition.

    He is due to step down as ANC leader in December and as national president ahead of the 2019 election.

  19. How a Zimbabwean rain dance workspublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Zimbabwean cultural expert Pathisa Nyathi explains how important dance and other performance arts are to many African cultures.

    He spoke to Zeinab Badawi as part of the History of Africa documentary series:

  20. All roads lead to Ugandan parliamentpublished at 11:26 British Summer Time 11 July 2017

    Patience Atuhaire
    BBC Africa, Kampala

    There is plenty of excitement around Uganda's capital Kampala.

    As we reported earlier one of the country's best known Afrobeat musicians, Bobi Wine, is being sworn in today as a member of parliament.

    Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, won his seat as an independent candidate in a by-election held at the end of June.

    An entourage of bodaboda riders ( motorycycle taxis) have taken to the street to escort him to parliament buildings:

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    Bobi Wine memrobilia on Kampala streets
    Image caption,

    Traders are also selling Bobi Wine branded merchandise like these hats

    Boda boda cyclists in Kampala
    Image caption,

    A room for one more as bodaboda riders take over Kampala

    Bobi wine supporters on boda boda
    Image caption,

    Some of them are pulling stunts

    Ugandan police
    Image caption,

    Ugandan police at the ready ahead of Bobi Wine swearing in

    Bobi wine supporter heading for parliament
    Image caption,

    A Bobi Wine fan heading for his swearing in