South Africa's MPs have gathered at parliament in Cape Town to vote on the country's next president.

And the man who will almost certainly be sworn in, Cyril Ramaphosa, is looking relatively relaxed about the situation:

But before they could get started, Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) leader Julius Malema called for parliament to be dissolved, and a general election called.

Speaker Baleka Mbete was unmoved by his demands - and so the EFF members, in their red boilersuits, left the chamber.

Mary Harper
Africa editor, BBC World Service

Image source, .

State-affiliated media in Ethiopia are reporting that the country's prime minister has tendered his resignation.

Hailemariam Desalegn is also reported to have resigned as chairman of the governing Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front.

So far, no reason has been given.

Ethiopia has been convulsed by nearly three years of opposition protests. The highly authoritarian government has failed to quell them.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested.

The ongoing disturbances have led to deep divisions in the governing coalition, with some of Ethiopia's powerful elites seeing the prime minister as weak and lacking in direction.

A turbulent Ethiopia is risky for the entire Horn of Africa.

This normally stable state is seen as key to holding the whole region together.

Ishaq Khalid
BBC Africa, Abuja

Image source, afp

The Nigerian military has launched a massive operation to end frequent killings linked to feuding between nomadic herdsmen and crop farmers in the north of the country.

Hundreds of people have been killed within the last one year in clashes and tit-for-tat attacks.

In response, the Nigerian military says it is now deploying thousands of troops - including special forces - in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states.

However, the security forces will also target kidnappers and armed robbers.

It is likely to overstretch the Nigerian military as it currently has thousands of troops fighting the militant group Boko Haram in the north-east of the country.

Many other troops are operating in the oil rich Niger-Delta in the south where militants are a demanding a greater share of the oil wealth.

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Image source, .

South African newspapers have welcomed President Jacob Zuma's long awaited resignation, with many editorials noting that although he went down fighting, his presidency was overwhelmingly marked by failure.

In its editorial headlined "The grand Zuma charade ends", privately-owned Business Day website commented on Zuma's defiant attitude during his press appearances:

The Financial Mail criticised the ANC's handling of Zuma throughout his presidency and the drawn-out exit, with a editorial which read:

On the Mail & Guardian website, analyst Richard Calland celebrated Zuma's exit, and looked to the future, saying that for Ramaphosa "the honeymoon will be short":

The Star newspaper's main headline read "Going Going Gone" with a photo of the back of Zuma's head. Below this were the subheadings "Zuma resigns" and "Cabinet changes loom".

The Sunday Times and Daily Maverick summarised Zuma's presidency and exit as "a bad movie" and "long nightmare" respectively.

South Africa's parliament is due to gather in less than 20 minutes for the election of the country's new president.

It is, of course, an exciting day - so making sure you get a good seat so you don't miss any of the action is all important.

It looks ANC MP Derek Hanekom wasn't willing to take the risk, so has arrived a little early, according to this tweet from one local journalist:

We will be following all the updates from Cape Town on Africa Live as they happen today, so keep checking back for more.

Image source, Getty Images

Ghana first ever skeleton star Akwasi Frimpong has begun chasing his Olympic dream in South Korea.

Unfortunately, it is not quite going to plan at the moment.

BBC Africa's Nick Cavell reports he came last on both of the first two runs, which means he is last overall ahead of the two final runs on Friday.

However, he is definitely not short of fans - with even those who he is competing against cheering him on (even if, as this tweet from the Dutch team says, it is in secret...):

You can read all about Frimpong's remarkable journey from Ghana to South Korea here, and take a closer look at all of Africa's Olympic hopefuls by clicking here.

State-affiliated media in Ethiopia are reporting the country's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned.

Africa Live will bring you more on this breaking story as it comes in.

For many years, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Morgan Tsvangirai found themselves on very different sides of Zimbabwe's political divide.

Mr Mnangagwa was one of the most powerful members of Robert Mugabe's government. Tsvangirai, who died yesterday at the age of 65, was leading the fight to end his 37-year rule, suffering beatings and losing friends along the way.

But this morning, Mr Mnangagwa, who has been Zimbabwe's president since November, paid tribute to his former opponent for his commitment to democracy and engaging with the wider world:

Image source, .

The two held a meeting together at the beginning of the year, and were pictured smiling and shaking hands:

Image source, AFP

Read more: Morgan Tsvangirai - the man who defied Mugabe

Our reporter Shingai Nyoka says the road approaching the headquarters of Zimababwe's main opposition party in Harare has been blocked off.

After the death of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai last night, deputy leader Nelson Chamisa called this morning's party meeting at Harvest House.

Hundreds of supporters have gathered there wearing party colours, singing and weeping, as these photos from our reporter show.

MDC leaders are expected to address the press soon.

Image source, Shingai Nyoka/ BBC

Image source, Shingai Nyoka/ BBC

Image source, Shingai Nyoka/ BBC

Keep checking back with Africa Live for more on this and the other big stories from around the continent.

Reporters from South Africa's Eyewitness News at Bloemfontein magistrates court say, external seven suspects, including a Gupta family member and several people linked to the powerful family, have so far appeared on charges of fraud and corruption.

The news site reports that Varun Gupta - a nephew of the Gupta brothers - is in the dock, along with Oakbay chief executive Ronica Ragavan, former Oakbay chief executive Nazeem Howa and Gupta business associate Ashu Chawla.

Oakbay is the holding company for the Gupta family's businesses, according to its website.

The Gupta family have been accused of using their close friendship with outgoing the outgoing president, Jacob Zuma, to wield enormous political influence - known in South Africa as "state capture".

The charges relate to the diversion of millions of dollars of public money from a project intended to help poor farmers.

Another suspect is expected to appear in court later today.

The elite Hawks police unit said two other suspects were still at large in South Africa, while another three were outside the country.

Mr Zuma and the three Gupta brothers have denied any wrongdoing.

See Africa Live's earlier post on the Gupta case here.

Image source, AFP

The Ugandan government has said it will leave no stone unturned in carrying out investigations into the alleged corruption and misuse of funds meant for refugees in the country.

President Yoweri Museveni told the press yesterday that whoever is proven to have embezzled money meant for refugees would be jailed.

The country has been praised for its progressive policy on refugees, but is now embroiled in a scandal over the alleged inflation of refugee numbers by government and aid officials as well as the misappropriation of aid funds.

There have also been allegations in local media of women and children refugees being trafficked, external.

The corruption is said to have been going on for about a year before it came to light.

In one instance, a Department of Refugees official implicated in corruption was transferred to another post, instead of facing justice.

The Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek, told the media the government has given security agencies one month to gather evidence.

The government has now introduced biometric re-verification for all refugees in the country. It has launched investigations into allegations of the misuse of food and funds, bribery and the trafficking of refugee girls.

Mr Onek added the government felt betrayed and let down by officials who embezzled money meant for refugees.

Uganda is now host to over 1.4 million refugees, the largest number of them being from South Sudan.

Though the minister says that the country remains committed to upholding its progressive refugee policy, he admits that the influx over the last two years created loopholes, and stretched the department’s capacity to effectively implement a humanitarian response.

Emmanuel Igunza
BBC Africa, Nairobi

At least 10 people have been killed and dozens others injured in violent anti-government demonstrations in Ethiopia.

News of the deaths in the Oromia region emerged as the government yielded to protesters' demands and freed hundreds of jailed suspects.

The release of jailed politicians and journalists was one of the key demands of the opposition in Oromia, who had called for a three-days boycott on work and businesses to put pressure on the government.

More than 700 people who have been facing charges or convicted were pardoned on Wednesday.

They included renowned journalist Eskinder Nega and dozens of opposition politicians who’ve been accused of having links to terror groups and inciting their supporters to violence.

The release sparked celebrations in various parts of the country.

Calm has now returned to many places in Oromia region where transport and businesses had been disrupted for days as protests raged on.

The release of imprisoned politicians is among key demands of protesters who have been demonstrating since 2015.

They also want greater political and economic reforms, and an end to state corruption.

Hundreds of people have died over that period with security forces facing local and international condemnation for using lethal force against civilians.

Jacob Zuma has sent his letter of resignation to the speaker of South Africa's parliament, Baleka Mbete:

It means his resignation is now official, ending his nine-year tenure as president.

Members and supporters of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have been gathering at Harvest House, the party's headquarters in the capital Harare.

The party's official Twitter page has shared these photos of the scene there:

Africa Live will be keeping an eye on developments there, where party leadership are due to address members and reporters for the first time after ex-leader Morgan Tsvangirai's death last night.

This has just come in from the South African police regarding yesterday's raid on the Gupta properties.

It says two people are still being sought following the arrests, and that three - two of Indian nationality - are out the country.

The other big story coming out of South Africa today is the Gupta case - and so, unsurprisingly, journalists have flocked to the court to report on what happens.

However, it seems police have decided the court is full - despite journalists arguing there is still lots of space for them to fill.

So who is in court today, and why does everyone want to be there?

Well, we aren't entirely sure. We know a number of people are due to appear following a raid on the wealthy, Indian-born family's compound in Johannesburg yesterday morning.

It has been reported one of the Gupta brothers was arrested - but that may or may not be correct.

If it is, it is the first time the Guptas have faced charges in court.

They family have been accused of using their close friendship with Mr Zuma to wield enormous political influence - known in South Africa as "state capture".

However, this particular case relates to allegations that money meant for the Vrede farm project, which was supposed to help poor black farmers, actually went into the pockets of the Zuma allies.

They have denied all allegations against them.

Africa Live will be keeping a close eye on proceeding in Bloemfontein and letting you know the latest.

Image source, AFP

Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), is to hold a press conference following the death of its leader Morgan Tsvangirai in South Africa last night.

Since news broke of Mr Tsvangirai's death last night, tributes have been pouring in:

South Africa has woken up to a new, post-Zuma era this morning - and his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, appeared keen to make the most of every second.

Pictures of the acting president on an early morning walk along Cape Town's seafront have been circulating on social media.

And from the looks of it, Ramaphosa - who is pictured with former minister Trevor Manuel - was in a great mood ahead of today's vote, which will almost definitely see him made South Africa's president:

Elsewhere on social media, others were also reacting to Jacob Zuma's late night resignation.

(You can read all about that here)

The hashtags #Zumahasfallen is trending in the country, with people flocking to social media to give their views - with cartoonists capturing the mood of the moment:

Parliament will meet at 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT) to begin the process of voting in the new president.

Africa Live will be keeping you updated with all the latest from South Africa throughout the day, so keep checking back.

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