Summary

  • Africa to get good view of 'blood moon' eclipse

  • 'Vagina is Wise' village causes laughter in Ghana parliament

  • Abiy Ahmed holds a brief meeting with 'ex-terrorist'

  • Bid to challenge Uganda presidential age-limit lifting fails

  • Kenya picked to host global sports event

  • Ethiopia funeral 'fit for hero' planned for Sunday

  • Zuma court case postponed

Live Reporting

  1. Comoros deputy survives assassination attempt

    BBC World Service

    One the vice-presidents of the Indian Ocean nation of Comoros has survived an assassination attempt days before a referendum on constitutional reform.

    Assailants opened fire on the car of Moustoidrane Abdou as he was returning to his home on the island of Anjouan.

    Nobody was injured in the attack on Sunday morning, but the car was badly damaged.

    A map showing the four main islands of the Comoros archipelago

    The Comoros archipelago has four main islannds - Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjouan and Mayotte. Mayotte, however, voted against independence and is still governed by France.

    The attack came a week before a controversial referendum that could allow President Azali Assoumani to extend his term in office, and abolish the vice-presidential posts.

    Critics of the president have been detained and placed under house arrest during the referendum campaign, which has also seen violent clashes between protesters and security forces.

    After more than 20 coups or attempted coups, the archipelago of islands that make up Comoros are trying to consolidate political stability and use tourism to climb out of poverty.

  2. Kenyan school fire leaves 12 in hospital

    Will Ross
    Africa editor, BBC World Service

    A secondary school in Nairobi has become the latest to be closed down due to a fire.

    Twelve students from Highway Secondary School were taken to hospital just 24 hours after another fire broke out at a school in the Rift Valley.

    More than 40 schools across Kenya have been affected by fires during the current exam season - some are thought to have been started by students protesting against educational reforms, including a crackdown on exam cheating.

    In 2016, more than 100 Kenyan schools were burnt down.

  3. Gender-neutral title now an option at SA university

    University of the WitwatersrandGetty Images

    The University of the Witwatersrand, often called Wits University, is ranked in the top five African universities

    South Africa's prestigious Wits University has given students the option to change the gender prefix - such as Mr, Ms and Mrs - listed on their communication with faculty staff. The university wanted to create a more inclusive environment for students who are transgender‚ non-binary or gender non-conforming.

    The gender-neutral title "Mx" is among the titles students can now use.

    "Now they can specify the title they would like to have," says a spokesperson at the university's Transformation and Employment Equity Office, adding:

    Addressing somebody by a particular name or title are intrinsically affirming for people who are transgender or gender non-conforming or gender queer. It makes you part of the university culture if you feel you are visibly appreciated and respected."

    While students will now be able to opt out of using traditional titles like Mr, Miss and Mrs - the title used on their graduation certificates would still have to match the gender listed on their legal documentation, which for many is the gender they were assigned at birth.

    South Africa's Gender and Quality Commission has called the change at Wits University "very progressive", according to news site Eyewitness News, adding they "hope this can be taken forward" nationwide.

    *This post has been edited to clarify that students have the choice to opt out of traditional titles

  4. Nobel Prize bid for Raila Odinga

    Supporters of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga have lauched an online petition to have him nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

    The petition, which has 1,888 signatures so far, says Mr Odinga "saved Kenya from turning into bloody civil war" by shaking hands with rival Uhuru Kenyatta after last year's disputed elections. Mr Odinga is also praised for "sacrificing his freedom" for peace.

    President Kenyatta was declared winner of a controversial re-run of the presidential election in October last year.

    He won 98% of the vote with turnout at just under 39% - less than half that recorded in the original vote in August, according to Kenya's election commission. His rival Mr Odinga pulled out of the re-run and urged his supporters to boycott it.

    Mr Kenyatta was also declared the winner in the August vote, which was annulled because of "irregularities". About 50 people are reported to have died in violence since the poll.

    The unprecedented decision from the Supreme Court cancelling the result did not attribute any blame to President Kenyatta's party or campaign.

    Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) shakes hands with the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition opposition leader Raila Odinga after a news conference at the March 9, 2018 at Harambee house office in Nairobi.AFP

    Raila Odinga (R) shook hands with President Kenyatta in March signifying a political truce

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  5. Egypt's leader hits out at 'dangerous rumours'

    BBC World Service

    Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi says that rumours aimed at fuelling discontent are among the most serious dangers that his country faces.

    Addressing students from military academies, Mr Sisi said there were elements seeking to manipulate people.

    He said they wanted to sow confusion and frustration, and warned that such things could destroy nations.

    He claimed that more than 20,000 rumours had been spread in recent months.

    Mr Sisi's critics accuse him of presiding over the most serious crackdown on dissent in years. Many who oppose his policies have been jailed.

    A woman walks past a campaign sign for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi one day before the presidential elections on March 25, 2018 in Cairo, Egypt.Getty Images

  6. Wise words

    Our proverb of the day:

    The tortoise wishes to fight with his fist, but he has no fingers."

    A Hausa proverb sent by Abayomi Ode in Lagos, Nigeria

    An African spurred tortoiseAFP

    Click here to send us your African proverbs.

  7. Good morning

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