Summary

  • Mugabe sacks his deputy for "disloyalty"

  • President's wife tipped to become his deputy

  • Mozambique arrests eight for allegedly spreading rumours about vampire

  • British hostage killed in Nigeria

  • Burundi's first family adopt a baby

  • Liberia Supreme Court says it is "illegal" to proceed with run-off vote

  • More than 800,000 firms never paid taxes in Nigeria

  • Ugandan doctors go on strike

  • Africans dominate World Athlete of the Year nomination list

Live Reporting

Flora Drury and Farouk Chothia

  1. At least '800,000 firms in Nigeria have never paid taxes'

    This picture taken on January 29, 2016 in Lagos shows 1000 naira banknotes, Nigeria's currencyAFP

    Nigeria's government hopes to boost its income through better tax collection

    More than 800,000 companies in Nigeria, including government contractors, have never paid any taxes, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has revealed.

    In a statement, she also said that only 14 million Nigerians, out of an economically active base of 70 million, paid taxes.

    Of the 14 million, more than 95% were salary earners in the formal sector, but only 241 people paid personal income taxes amounting to about $65,500 (£50,000) in 2016, Ms Adeosun said.

    There was "systematic tax evasion at all levels", and the government planned to step up efforts to increase tax collection, she added.

    This would help reduce government reliance on oil revenue, Ms Adeosun said.

  2. Cameroon president marks 35 years in power

    Paul Biya speaks at the UNReuters

    Paul Biya studied law at the Sorbonne in Paris

    Cameroon's President Paul Biya is marking 35 years in office today - making him one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.

    Mr Biya first took office in 1982, when the country had a one party system.

    However, even though the country now has a multi-party system, he has managed to cling on to power.

    In 2011, after a controversial rule change which allowed him to run again, he won another seven years in office, with 78% of the vote.

    The landslide victory raised eyebrows among his opponents.

    Mr Biya is part of a select group of African leaders who have ruled their countries for more than 30 years, with only Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Obiang Nguema in Equatorial Guinea in power longer.

    The 84-year-old, who critics accuse of being authoritarian, is expected to stand again next year.

    You can find out more about Mr Biya here.

  3. Grace Mugabe calls for husband to sack his deputy

    Zimbabwe First Lady Grace Mugabe gestures as she addresses Zimbabwean worshippers and congregants from various indigenous church denominations at a religious gathering rally organised by Zimbabwean ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic FrontAFP

    Grace Mugabe is said to be extremely ambitious

    Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe has called for the expulsion of the powerful Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the ruling Zanu-PF party ahead of its elective congress next month, the state-run Herald newspaper reports.

    Her comments came a day after a visibly angry President Robert Mugabe, 93, threatened to fire Mr Mnangagwa, fuelling speculation he favours his wife to succeed him.

    Addressing members of indigenous church groups at a rally in the capital, Harare, on Sunday, Mrs Mugabe said:

    The snake must be hit on the head. We must deal with the real snake behind the factions and discord in the party. We are going for the congress as a united party."

    Mrs Mugabe, the head of the Zanu-PF women's league, and Mr Mnangagwa are seen as the front-runners in the battle to succeed Mr Mugabe when he dies or steps down.

    AFP news agency quoted her as saying her husband should anoint her as his successor:

    I say to Mr Mugabe you should... leave me to take over your post. Have no fear. If you want to give me the job give it to me freely."

    Her comments came a day after Mr Mnangagwa's supporters heckled her at a rally in the second city, Bulawayo.

    Mr Mugabe reacted angrily, pounding the podium with his fists and saying he would no longer tolerate constant insults from the vice president’s supporters.

    He warned Mr Mnangagwa and his followers to show loyalty to him or risk being sacked.

    Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe delivers a speech during the Zimbabwe ruling party youth interface Rally on November 4, 2017 in BulawayoAFP

    Mr Mugabe is the world's oldest ruler

    In a further sign that Mr Mnangagwa's political career is in deep trouble, two influential Zanu-PF regions, Mashonaland Central and Bulawayo, resolved on Sunday to ask Mr Mugabe to immediately dismiss he vice-president for allegedly undermining him, the Herald reports.

    Zanu-PF is expected to amend its constitution at its congress, setting aside one of the two posts of vice-president for a woman.

    The post is expected to be filled by Mrs Mugabe, increasing her chances of eventually succeeding her husband.

  4. Nigeria oil spills 'double neo-natal mortality'

    Creeks devastated as a result of spills from oil theives at Nembe Creek in Niger Delta on March 22, 2013.AFP

    Babies born to mothers who lived within 10km (six miles) of an oil spill before they were conceived in Nigeria are twice as likely to die, a new report claims.

    The Swiss study described the findings as an "alarming human tragedy".

    Researchers at the University of St Gallen discovered the infant mortality increased by around 38 per 100,000 births if the mother lived near an oil spill before conception.

    This, the report estimates, means oil spills could be responsible for the deaths of as many as 16,000 babies within their first month of life.

    Babies are particularly vulnerable to oil-related pollution, due to being in a critical development period and having not developed certain defences, the report says.

    Report co-author Roland Hodler told The Guardian the results were "absolutely shocking".

    This is a tragedy. Even four to five years prior to conception, an oil spill still matters. I think this should be seen as a first-world problem for something to be done."

    The report calls for a further investigation into the issue.

  6. Good morning

    Welcome to BBC Africa Live where we will bring you the latest news and views from around the continent.