BBC Africa Live
Damian Zane, Nduka Orjinmo and Rosie Blunt

That's all from BBC Africa Live for now. Keep up-to-date with what's happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or check BBCAfrica.com.

A reminder of our wise words:

We leave you with this photo of a little boy in Mozambique who has been having fun on the beach:

Jose Tembe
BBC Africa, Maputo

Image source, Getty Images

A deadly pest, banana aphids, is threatening banana production in southern Mozambique.

The disease, known as Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), is transmitted by the pest.

Mozambican authorities have already cut down about 30,000 plants to prevent the spread of the disease.

"This virus is lethal. The plants die," said Celso Rufasse, coordinator of the BBTV virus control project.

Last year, a disease called Panama Evil hit banana plantations in northern Mozambique.

Mary Harper
Africa editor, BBC World Service

Image source, Getty Images

The authorities in Ethiopia say a referendum will be held to decide whether the Sidama ethnic group can form its own regional state.

The Sidama, who are based in southern Ethiopia, have been threatening to declare their own breakaway region.

Other ethnic groups say they will lose crucial resources if the Sidama succeed in forming their own state.

Ethiopia, which currently has nine semi-autonomous regions, has become increasingly unstable since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power last year.

There are fears that if the Sidama are granted their own region, other ethnic groups will also try to break away.

Image source, AFP

Uganda's social media tax, aimed at curbing "idle talk", has failed to raise as much revenue as the authorities had expected, The Daily Monitor reports., external

The privately owned newspaper says the tax has raised about $13m (£11m), which is just 17% of the expected revenue.

The social media tax was introduced last year to end what President Yoweri Museveni called "gossip" on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

It caused a backlash on social media, with some arguing that it was a way of restricting critical comments about the government.

There has since been a decrease in internet usage, although some users have managed to avoid the tax of $0.05 a day by using VPNs.

Patience Atuhaire
BBC Africa, Kampala

Image source, Getty Images

Ugandan authorities are working to identify people who may have come into contact with a woman who displayed symptoms of Ebola in a Uganda market last week, before dying later in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The woman, a well-known fishmonger according to a local district health official, vomited at a market in Mpondwe on the Ugandan border last Thursday - before returning to DR Congo and dying from Ebola.

She is said to have crossed into Uganda from DR Congo through an unofficial border point.

The WHO and the Uganda Health Ministry have confirmed that the fishmonger died from the virus.

An estimated 600 fishmongers and money changers at the Mpondwe border market are being identified and will be vaccinated.

In June, there were two Ebola deaths in western Uganda, near the border. Since then, no other Ebola cases have been reported within Uganda.

The latest incident increases the risk of Ebola spreading in Uganda, but authorities say they will not be closing the border market for now.

Over 6,000 people, mostly frontline health workers, have been vaccinated in Uganda since November 2018.

Since Ebola broke out in DR Congo, over 2,000 cases have been reported, and the viral disease has killed more than 1,500 people.

Image source, Getty Images

Drones and sirens could be used to crack down on rhino poaching, The New Scientist has reported., external

The University of Brighton found that drones and sharp siren sounds had a dramatic impact on encouraging rhino to leave poaching hotspots such as water holes, buildings and roads.

“We found the drones to be a much more effective tool at manipulating rhino movement than the sirens, mainly due to their long transmission range and capability of pursuing rhinos over long distances,” said Samuel Penny, who was leading the investigation.

“The drone’s manoeuvrability also allows for more precise control of rhino movement as it can be flown into positions in response to changes in rhino direction. In essence it can be used to herd them,” he added.

He said the smell of chilli was ineffective, despite being used to deter elephants, monkeys and bears.

“We actually recorded rhinos chewing on the chili-oil infused ropes on several occasions... so in this case, chili acted more as an attractant than a deterrent," said Mr Penny.

Milton Nkosi
BBC Africa, Johannesburg

Image source, Getty Images

The commission of inquiry investigating corruption allegations against South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma and other top officials has adjourned until Friday morning.

The decision follows a complaint by Mr Zuma’s lawyers, who said the former head of state was being cross-examined by the inquiry's legal team and this was contrary to the spirit of the invitation issued to him to testify.

Judge Raymond Zondo, who chairs the inquiry, adjourned proceedings to give the legal teams time to find "common ground".

More than 30 orphaned or rescued chimpanzees from West and Central Africa have been given a new home at a sanctuary in Nanyuki in central Kenya.

Timothy Mwangi is one of the animal carers at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which provides shelter to the animals, including chimpanzees who have been injured in the illegal wildlife trade.

Mohanad Hashim
BBC Africa

Image source, EPA

In essence there is nothing new in the political accord signed between the transitional military council (TMC) and civilian groups in the capital, Khartoum.

Most of the points agreed have been in the public domain for the past two months. Most of the crucial details seem to have been postponed until the hammering down of the constitutional declaration which governs the transitional period.

This is what was agreed:

Hybrid state council: The signatories agreed to a hybrid sovereign state council (SSC) made up of five civilian members and five military figures, with the 11th member to be a civilian and chosen by the 10 members.

For its first 21 months it will be headed by a general and in the final 18 months the council will be headed by a civilian.

But missing in these details is how the voting will play out if the six civilians vote against the five generals on any given issue.

The actual powers of this council will be decided by the constitutional declaration scheduled for ratification on Friday.

The Government: The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) will choose the prime minister. The cabinet should not exceed 20 portfolios. The military members of the SSC will nominate the defence and interior ministers. The prime minister can nominate up to two partisan figures to join the cabinet.

Anyone who runs a public office during the transitional period is not allowed to contest the elections scheduled at the end of the transitional period.

The Legislative Assembly: The wording is interesting. In point 13, it says the FFC “confirm their commitment to 67% of the membership of the assembly”. But point 14, says the TMC “confirms its position to review the percentages of representation in the legislative council’s membership”.

This assembly should be formed within 90 days after setting up the SSC and the cabinet.

The inquiry into the violence against protesters: The agreement says an independent national investigation committee should be formed to carry a transparent and diligent investigation. The committee could seek help from the African Union. There is no reference to immunity for those in senior state positions.

Uber drivers in Kenya's capital, Nairobi have gone on strike because of what they describe as low wages and poor working conditions.

In a statement, Uber said they are putting in place mechanisms to address the concerns of the drivers.

One driver explained to the BBC that while he receives $40 (£32) from passengers every day, after paying his costs he is left with nothing.

Another said that some colleagues have taken their own lives because of the pressures they are under.

Video journalists: Gloria Achieng and Njoroge Muigai.

Image source, AFP

All Ugandan cows are to receive birth certificates to allow them to be more easily traced in order to comply with European Union (EU) regulations, according to The Daily Monitor, external.

Countries producing food for the European market must provide proof of its traceability, said Mr Vincent Ssempijja, the minister for agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, on Tuesday.

He said products from Uganda were being impounded and banned from the EU.

“Farmers will be registered and their products given barcodes so that if they find a problem with one box, they look for the source and sort out the problem," he said.

"We cannot enter lucrative markets unless farmers register," he added.

Shingai Nyoka
BBC Africa, Harare

Image source, Getty Images

Zimbabwe government spokesman Nick Mangwana says what appears to be a leaked audio tape of the country's first lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has been doctored, privately-owned newspaper Newsday , externalreports.

The audio recording which has been widely reported in the local media, is of an alleged phone call between Mrs Mnangagwa and a top army commander that appears to show cracks between the military and the first family.

But Mr Mangwana told Newsday that information he received was that there is a lot of “manipulation and simulation of the first lady’s voice”.

In the eight-minute recording, a woman, who sounds like the first lady, tells the man not to kill her because she has children.

The woman, who is referred to as “your Excellency” by the man she is berating, accuses the military of spying on her, asking what they want from her and where they are taking the information.

She adds: “I am not involved in politics or the army.”

Sources say the call was prompted by a security personnel reassignment that the first lady was unhappy about.

The woman on the recording also says she is aware of a plot to kill her husband, that “they” are trying to get to her husband “through me”.

“Go and kill Mnangagwa not me because I am a mother,” the woman is heard saying.

Emerson Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017 after the military ousted his predecessor Robert Mugabe. He won an election a year ago, though the result was disputed by the opposition.

The World Health Organization has begun a meeting to assess whether the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo now constitutes an international public health emergency.

The meeting follows the discovery of a case in the eastern city of Goma, which is home to one million people and is a major transport hub.

The victim, a pastor, had travelled to the city from Butembo. He later died as he was being transported to a secure clinic back in Butembo.

The WHO has so far held back from declaring an international emergency, but the spread of Ebola to Goma could change that.

More than 1,600 people have died in the current outbreak - making it the second worst in history.

Image source, AFP

Ahmed Rouaba
BBC News

Image source, EPA

Algerians on social media are strongly critical of a government minister remaining in his post, despite being investigated for corruption and being on conditional bail.

Abdelkader Benmessaoud, the minister of tourism, was interrogated by a judge in a high profile corruption case, which also involved former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and transport tycoon Mohieddine Tahkout.

The Algerian Press Agency (APS) said Mr Benmessaoud was released on probation. He will therefore remain under investigation.

Hamdi Baala, a journalist for the Huffington Post in Algeria, posted in French on Twitter that Mr Benmessaoud had been granted bail, sarcastically adding: "Yes, and he still keeps his job."

Faycal Metaoui tweeted in Arabic: "Abdelkader Benmessaoud is the first cabinet minister in history to work while on probation."

In addition to Mr Benmessaoud, the Supreme Court has interrogated former ministers and current and former governors of provinces.

Army Chief of Staff General Gaid Salah, the de facto man in charge of the country, has vowed to bring to justice "all those suspected of corruption".

Protesters in the North African country are calling for the departure of interim head of state Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Abdelkader Bedoui as they push for greater change.

Image source, Getty Images

Menstrual cups are "as reliable as tampons", a new scientific review has shown.

The research, published in The Lancet Public Health, looked at 43 studies involving more than 3,000 women and girls in rich and poor countries.

It found that menstrual cups are just as leak-proof as tampons and because they are reusable, are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Researchers believe that making menstrual cups available globally could help tackle period poverty and health problems such as infections, even where water and toilet facilities are poor.

An organisation in Malawi has already started giving out menstrual cups to girls which has improved their school attendance.

Read the full report here.

A Central African Republic (CAR) parliamentary report has recommended that four Chinese-run gold mines be closed down because of health concerns and pollution.

BBC Newsday spoke to Father Aurelio Gazzera, an Italian Carmelite priest who works in the Bozoum region and has helped locals raise awareness of the health and environmental issues caused by the mines. He has taken photos and videos and written about it in his blog, external.

He said people living near the Ouham river had been drinking and washing in the river, which had been infected by chemicals used at the mines, including mercury and cyanide.

Infant mortality had increased since mining started, the priest said.

Father Gazzera also said that since workers from elsewhere had arrived in the area, there had been an increase in cases of local women being raped, along with prostitution.

He said local people were "very happy" that the mines could be closed.

Image source, Father Aurelio Gazzera

Image source, AFP

The deputy head of Sudan's ruling military council, Mohamed Mohamed Hamdan "Hemeti" Dagolo, said the agreement signed with civilians on Wednesday morning "opens up a new, promising era of partnership between our courageous armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)".

The RSF has been blamed for being behind the brutal 3 June crackdown on protesters in which dozens died.

But Gen Dagolo appeared to honour those who have lost their lives since anti-government protests broke out at the end of last year.

"This agreement is the fruit of strenuous and continuous efforts that the Sudanese people have long awaited in order to reach the horizons of freedom, peace and justice," he said.

"I salute the martyrs of the glorious December revolution and I salute the mothers of the martyrs who have been patient.

"I salute the women of my country and its youth... with wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured."

Image source, Getty Images

Africans are twice as likely to be refused UK visas than applicants from any other part of the world, a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) for Africa shows. , external

The study said the UK immigration system was "biased or even discriminating" against Africans and was "not currently fit for purpose".

It presents multiple challenges, including the need to travel long distances to apply for a visa, financial discrimination and no right of appeal, the report said.

“At a time when the UK needs to be ‘open for business’, the broken visas system is doing severe damage to UK-Africa relations across a variety of sectors," said Chi Onwurah MP, chair of the APPG for Africa.

"It is embarrassing, patronising and insulting to African applicants and leaves the slogan of 'Global Britain' empty and meaningless," she added.

Kennedy Gondwe
BBC News, Lusaka

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu says the country will not change its laws on homosexuality in exchange for donor aid.

According to the state-owned Daily Mail, external, Mr Lungu made the remarks when outgoing Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Henrik Cederin, and European Union head of delegation Alessandro Mariani visited him at state house.

The president was quoted as saying that "there are certain rights which are enjoyed in some parts of the world which may not be accepted by Zambians".

Zambia is a socially conservative country and homosexual acts carry a jail sentence of up to 14 years. The laws relate to the British colonial penal code.

Unlike in Kenya, where homosexuality is also illegal, there is no gay rights movement that is out in the open.

In 2011, the UK and US warned they would use foreign aid to push for homosexuality to be decriminalised in Africa.

In Zambia's neighbour Botswana, a court last month rejected colonial-era laws that imposed up to seven-year jail terms for same-sex relationships, saying they were unconstitutional. But the Botswana government said it would appeal against the landmark ruling.

In May, Kenya's High Court ruled against campaigners seeking to overturn a law banning gay sex.

Read more:

• Where is it illegal to be gay?
• Gay Ugandans regret fleeing to Kenya

The Zimbabwe government has called on the UK to take responsibility for an attack on Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo in London last week, Zimbabwe's state-linked Herald newspaper reports, external.

A group of angry Zimbabweans surrounded Mr Moyo as he got into his car outside Chatham House on Friday.

The protesters, allegedly opposition MDC Alliance supporters, were chanting and throwing water at him.

The UK government was responsible for providing security to protect Mr Moyo "in the event of any unforeseen security situations arising," the Herald quotes foreign ministry acting secretary, Pavelyn Musaka as saying.

She added that Zimbabwe respected "the rights to freedom and the rights of its citizens to demonstrate peacefully as part of the democratic process” but “objected to the assaults on Minister Moyo as head of the Zimbabwean delegation”.

She called on the UK government to "take all measures necessary" to bring the perpetrators to justice.