Africa highlights: Wednesday 18 July 2017, as it happened

Summary

Everton's footballers are given a huge welcome in Tanzania
Police break up opposition protest in Zimbabwe
Somalia detains teachers accused of meeting militant Islamists
Plane carrying journalists crashes in Kenya
Nigeria court rules on PDP leadership row
Nigeria's acting leader says President Buhari is 'recuperating fast'
South African jazz legend Ray Phiri loses battle with cancer
Chinese troops head to Djibouti base

Live Reporting

Paul Bakibinga and Farouk Chothia

Ailing Buhari will be 'back very shortly'published at 11:18 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
The government has failed to disclose details of the president's illness
Nigeria's Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is "recuperating fast", and he expects him back "very shortly".
Mr Osinbajo made the comments at a brief press briefing in the capital, Abuja. He met Mr Buhari in London on Tuesday - their first meeting since the president flew to the UK in May to be treated for an unspecified illness.
Mr Osinbajo said he met Mr Buhari for more than hour:
Quote Message
He is in very good spirits... His humour is all there."
See earlier post for more details
SA music star died 'with relatives at bedside'published at 11:08 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Nomsa Maseko
BBC Africa, Johannesburg
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Ray Phiri suffered from cancer
South African jazz legend Ray Phiri, 70, was surrounded by family and friends when he died this morning at a private hospital in the eastern city of Nelspruit, family spokesman Paul Nkanyane has said.
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Phiri (L) and Nana of Sitmela perform on stage in August 2007 at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in South Africa's main city, Johannesburg
The Stimela lead vocalist was hospitalised two weeks ago and his condition became public when close friend and former band member Richard Mitchell started a crowdfunding initiative to help pay for his medical bills.
The musician received many awards in recognition for his contribution to music, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
See earlier post for more details
Is Buhari's health improving?published at 10:25 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Naziru Mikailu
BBC Abuja editor
The meeting in London between Nigeria's ailing President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo lasted for about an hour.
Mr Osinbajo, the vice-president, was invited by Mr Buhari. I understand that the meeting was to update the president on the state of the nation.
It was the first time the two leaders have met since President Buhari flew to London in May to be treated for an unspecified illness. It suggests that the president’s condition is improving.
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Mr Osinbajo is said to have a good relationship with Mr Buhari
See earlier post for more details
Everton rock into Tanzaniapublished at 09:33 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Stanley Kwenda
BBC Africa
Image caption,
Rooney's debut return to Everton will be in Tanzania
English Premier League side Everton have arrived in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, for their first ever tour of East Africa.
The visit is part of their pre-season tour ahead of the 2017/2018 Premier League season kick-off.
Everton, who finished seventh in the league last season, have brought the entire first team squad.
The team touched down at Dar es Salaam's international airport at 8am local time from Liverpool.
Among the travelling party is newly signed Wayne Rooney, who returned to the Toffees from Manchester United at the weekend on a free transfer.
Rooney is a big draw card and is expected to make his first appearance for Everton since he rejoined the club on Thursday in the friendly against Kenya's Gor Mahia at the 60,0000-seater National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Many fans have travelled from neighbouring countries to watch the game.
Those who gathered outside the team's Dar es Salaam hotel were chanting "Rooney Rooney" as he made his way out of the bus.
Also on hand was a sizeable group of nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who were elated to see their hero Yannick Bolasie. They sung traditional songs, which Bolasie responded to with some dances.
Image caption,
Everton's Yannick Bolasie was greeted by Congolese fans in Dar es Salaam
Thursday's match is organised as part of Everton's new shirt sponsorship deal with football betting firm Sportpesa of Kenya.
During their visit, Everton players will conduct coaching clinics and play a match against Albino United to help raise awareness against attacks on albino people. Many albinos have been killed in Tanzania for ritual purposes.
Image caption,
A traditional Masaai welcome was given to Everton in Tanzania
Chinese troops depart for first overseas military base in Djiboutipublished at 09:20 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Image source, CHINA NEWS SERVICE
Image caption,
The Chinese navy has visited Djibouti previously, with a ship docking at the tiny African nation's port in 2015
Ships carrying Chinese troops are heading to Djibouti to set up Beijing's first overseas military base, reports state media.
China says the support base will be used for peacekeeping and humanitarian aid in Africa and West Asia.
It will also be used for military co-operation, naval exercises and rescue missions, Xinhua said.
China has ramped up investment in Africa, as well as rapidly modernised its military in recent years.
Read the full BBC story here
Nigeria's ailing president meets Osinbajopublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Image source, AFP
Nigeria's Acting President Yemi Osinbajo held a "very good" meeting with ailing President Muhammudu Buhari in London on Tuesday, Mr Osinbajo's spokesman has said.
It was the first meeting between the two leaders since Mr Buhari, 74, flew to the UK on 7 May to be treated for an undisclosed illness.
In a tweet, the spokesman, Laolu Akande, said that Mr Osinbajo had returned to Nigeria after the meeting and would chair a meeting of the cabinet later today:
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On Monday, First Lady Aisha Buhari warned the "hyenas and jackals" will be banished in a cryptic Facebook post apparently aimed at officials suspected of plotting to succeed her husband, amid mounting concern about his heath.
Mr Osinbajo, 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.
Read: Should Nigerians be worried about Buhari's health?
Graceland star diespublished at 08:56 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Before his death, the musician appealed to the media to respect his privacy
South African jazz legend Ray Phiri has died at the age of 70 after a two-month battle with lung cancer.
The guitarist, producer and vocalist rose to fame when he featured on Paul Simon's Graceland album in 1986.
He was admitted to hospital a few days ago, while a public appeal was launched to help pay for his medical bills.
In an interview with South Africa's The Sowetan newspaper earlier this month, Phiri said:
Quote Message
Let me suffer [in peace with my] pain, on my own with my dignity."
Tributes have been pouring in for Phiri on Twitter:
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Today's wise wordspublished at 08:55 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Our African proverb of the day:
Quote Message
A snake is not a rope."
A Yoruba proverb sent by Ademola Adesina in Barcelona, Spain
Click here to send us you African proverbs
Good morningpublished at 08:55 British Summer Time 12 July 2017
Welcome to BBC Africa Live where we will bring you the latest news from around the continent.