A video shows a local official chastising a patient for crossing the border for treatment.

David Bamford
BBC World Service Newsroom

Image source, AFP

Angola's governing party, the MPLA - in power since independence nearly 50 years ago - appears close to winning another term, as the counting of votes in Thursday's elections enter its final stages.

The National Election Commission said President João Lourenço's party was holding on to its tally of more than 52%, with its long-time rivals, Unita, trailing with just under 43%.

The streets have remained calm, although earlier on Wednesday police used tear gas to disperse pro-opposition youths in the capital, Luanda.

Analysts say the results were likely to be closer than in previous elections, with many Angolans frustrated that only the elite has benefitted from the country's oil wealth.

Players and officials from Nigeria are seething after "horrible experience" travelling back from the Under-20 Women's World Cup.

Anne Ngugi
BBC News Swahili

One of Kenya's seven recently elected female governors has revealed she dropped out of high school temporarily as a teenager to work as a domestic worker.

Kawira Mwangaza, who has just been sworn in as the new governor of Meru county, said it happened when she was aged around 14 because her family was poor.

“I worked as a house help for almost a year. It was difficult but I knew deep down I was born a winner,” the politician, who is in her late forties, told the BBC.

“I never gave up hope that one day I would escape from the claws of poverty and succeed in life.”

House helps in Kenya are often underpaid and work for long hours in an unregulated industry.

But her determination saw her through and she went back to school the next year - and then went on to fund her college education with proceeds from a small business.

After becoming a successful businesswoman, Ms Mwangaza became interested in politics in 2013, running unsuccessfully for parliament.

Four years later she was triumphant after being elected as county woman representative - a special seat aimed at increasing female representation in parliament.

She has gone on to prove her political clout, by trouncing political bigwig Kiraitu Murungi, who was seeking a second term in office as governor.

Her campaign drew large crowds as she would bring her husband Mwarega Baichu, a musician and producer, along to rallies where he would entertain supporters on his guitar.

Female politicians in Kenyan often experience sexism and bullying and very few hold elective positions.

Read more:

• Taking on the sexist bullies to stand in Kenya's election

Jose Tembe
BBC News, Maputo

Mozambique will receive funds to improve transport in the capital, Maputo.

The World Bank has approved the equivalent of $250m (£211m) from the International Development Association for the country's first bus rapid transport system and other infrastructure projects.

The funds will be used to improve road access to poor neighbourhoods.

World Bank Director for Mozambique Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough said she was "delighted" to have achieved the milestone for Mozambicans.

"This operation will ultimately contribute to expanding economic opportunity and social inclusion. Poor access to jobs and services is a major constraint on urban economic productivity," she said.

The population of Maputo metropolitan has grown rapidly and is expected to reach almost four million people by 2035.

Patience Atuhaire
BBC News, Kampala

Image source, UPDF

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to Gen Elly Tumwine, who has died aged 68, saying he “fired the first shot” in the revolution that brought him to power.

He was referring to a raid by National Resistance Army (NRA) rebels on a military barracks in 1981.

An army statement added, external that Gen Tumwine, who joined the resistance in 1979, had also lost his eye in a battle during the five-year bush war and praised his “contribution to the revolution”. He was often pictured wearing dark sunglasses.

The general, who had lung cancer, was airlifted to a hospital in Kenya’s capital Nairobi two weeks ago.

In a series of tweets, external, the 77-year-old president spoke with admiration about a “dedicated and hard-working cadre”.

“I had taught him at Burunga Primary School in 1967, after our A-levels, as a student teacher, before going to university, later that year,” he remembered.

Gen Tumwine went on to graduate from Makerere University with a fine arts degree in 1977, then left a teaching job to join the resistance and with 9,000 others received military training in neighbouring Tanzania. He went on to lead the rebel army in 1984 for several years.

He has held several senior positions in government as well as being a long-term MP representing the army. For years he also led the committee that decided who would receive national hero medals.

The bush war veteran was also an artist and a musician who liked to compose songs in Runyankore, his mother tongue.

But he was most known for being a straight talker - and could be quite controversial.

He once told a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged torture of suspects held in safe houses by the security forces: “There are areas which for security reasons this committee cannot visit.”

As security minister in 2020 after a deadly election campaign protest, he said the armed forces “had a right to shoot you and kill you, if you reach a certain level of violence”.

Even when dropped from the cabinet in 2021, he was outspoken - advising President Museveni, who had just begun his sixth term in office, to prepare to leave power.

“I remain a freedom fighter and admire him and thank him as my teacher, my mentor, my leader, and my hero. I will continue to give him my genuine support and advice.

“And to me now, the best advice we can give him is to prepare for a smooth transition so that we ensure stability and long-term peace for the future.”

He was one of a dwindling generation of bush war veterans who many young Ugandans feel have held the country to ransom with constant reminders about the liberation struggle.

On the announcement of his death, many on social media reacted with callous comments.

Image source, Reuters

Pupils in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province have been told to wear traditional clothes to school next Tuesday to honour the new Zulu king.

Misuzulu ka Zwelithini was coronated in a traditional ceremony on Saturday, even as some royals argued he was not the rightful heir to the throne.

The provincial education department has declared 30 August a day for schools to celebrate and honour the new 48-year-old monarch, external.

Teachers and other school employees have also been asked to wear their traditional attire to celebrate the "historic event".

In a circular, the department committed to working with the king in pursuit of quality public education in the province.

Clothing is an important part of Zulu culture - and often includes colourful beadwork and animal skins.

Read more:

• In pictures: Festivities as Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini is crowned
• Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini crowned in South Africa

On Wednesday 532 migrants crossed in 11 boats, bringing the total for August to 6,925.

David Bamford
BBC World Service Newsroom

Image source, EPA

Updated provisional results in Angola's elections suggest that the governing MPLA's earlier strong lead has receded.

The National Election Commission said that with 86% of the votes counted, President João Lourenço's party - which has been in power for four decades - has received just over 52%.

The opposition movement, Unita, has just under 43%.

Unita earlier said that its provisional data suggested it was leading in the poll.

Analysts had predicted a close result.

The African observer mission (ICGLR) praised the peaceful conduct of the election, and urged all political parties to respect the outcome.

The MPLA has been criticised for not tackling inflation, poverty and unemployment, despite huge oil wealth.

Read more:

• Angola election: Long-dominant MPLA faces tough Unita challenge

Moroccan singer, Abir, has trichotillomania, a mental health disorder which causes the urge to pull hair out.

BBC's Kalkidan Yibeltal explains what lies behind the renewed violence in northern Ethiopia.

Richard Kagoe
BBC News, Nairobi

Image source, AFP

A record seven female governors are about to be sworn in on Thursday in Kenya following the recent elections in which a total of 45 regional governors were elected.

The vote has ushered in new wave of female leaders - previously there were only three women holding these influential positions.

Governors are in charge of huge budgets and are expected to spearhead development in their counties.

More than 20 female candidates had vied for the gubernatorial posts.

Despite women making up nearly half of registered voters, very few female leaders hold elective positions.

Martha Koome, Kenya’s first female chief justice, has appointed 45 judges to preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the incoming governors.

The seven women to be sworn in are:

• Fatuma Achani - Kwale County
• Susan Kihika- Nakuru County
• Cecily Mbarire- Embu County
• Kawira Mwangaza - Meru County
• Wavinya Ndeti- Machakos County

• Anne Waiguru - Kirinyaga County
• Gladys Wanga- Homa Bay County.

Read more:

• Kenya election: Taking on the sexist bullies to stand

Nomsa Maseko
BBC southern Africa correspondent

Image source, Limpopo Provincial Government

South Africa's health department has launched an investigation into comments made by a provincial health minister to a Zimbabwean patient undergoing treatment.

In a widely circulated video clip, Dr Phophi Ramathuba is seen chastising a reportedly undocumented Zimbabwean patient scheduled for surgery at a hospital in South Africa’s Limpopo province.

Her comments have been viewed as blaming foreign nationals for the country's ailing healthcare system.

Dr Ramathuba told the patient that Zimbabwe should take responsibility for her health issues and not South Africa.

She added that Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa did not contribute to South Africa’s health budget.

Opposition political parties are demanding the official’s resignation and said she should be reprimanded for humiliating the patient.

However, Dr Ramathuba has said she stands by her comments, adding that the Limpopo province, which is on the border with Zimbabwe, has an “influx of foreign nationals who are choking the province’s health system resulting in doctors often working under pressure”.

She also said her comments should not be misconstrued as xenophobic.

The patient, she said, had told her that she had been in a car crash in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, and was advised to cross the border to seek medical attention.

Nkechi Ogbonna
West Africa business journalist, BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

Shop owners in Ghana are threatening to close their business premises next Monday to protest against the weakening of the country’s currency, the cedi.

At 10 cedis to the US dollar, traders are finding it difficult to stay in business as the cost of importing and clearing goods continues to rise.

Prices for most basic goods and services have doubled over the last couple of months in Ghana, but incomes for the most part.

"We are demonstrating against the government to show the extent that we are suffering… The intention is not to punish the consuming public," said Joseph Obeng, president of the Ghana Union of Traders Associations president, about increasing interest rates and multiple taxes borne by traders.

In solidarity with the planned demonstration, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, an umbrella body for clearing agents, says it will also cease operations on Monday.

Inflation in Ghana now stands at over 31% - the highest in the last 20 years.

The government has pointed the blame at the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent Russia-Ukraine war.

But earlier there had been concerns about the country’s public debt, which now stands at $45.5bn (£38.3bn) - more than 77% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Image source, Getty Images

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has said Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia have looted a million litres of fuel from its warehouses in Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, that was meant to be used to deliver aid.

Tigrayan forces have not responded to the accusations which come after fresh fighting broke out on Wednesday for the first time in several months.

The UN and the US have urged Ethiopian troops and the Tigrayan forces to restore a humanitarian truce.

UN chief António Guterres said he was shocked by the resurgence in fighting, while the US expressed concern that renewed clashes could jeopardise progress made over the past five months.

The chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also called for the "immediate cessation of hostilities" and urged the warring sides to resume talks.

The conflict, which began in November 2020 in Tigray, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and left millions in need of food aid.

Read more:

• Tigray war: Fresh fighting shatters humanitarian truce
• Tigray crisis: Why it's hard getting aid into the region

Patience Atuhaire
BBC News, Kampala

Uganda’s former Security Minister General Elly Tumwine has died in neighbouring Kenya at the age of 68 following a long illness.

He was airlifted to a hospital in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, two weeks ago.

Gen Tumwine was one of the founder members of the National Resistance Army (NRA), which fought a five-year war that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986.

It is believed that Gen Tumwine fired the first shot as the then-rebel group attacked a military barracks and launched its bush war uprising in central Uganda.

He became commander of the rebel army in 1984 - holding the position until 1987, a year after it had taken power.

Gen Tumwine had held several positions in government over the last couple of decades, including security minister and deputy defence minister. He was also a long-term member of parliament representing the army.

As security minister he made controversial comments following election campaign protests in November 2020 after the security forces had killed at least 50 protesters, saying: "The police have a right to shoot you and kill you, if you reach a certain level of violence.”

He was dropped from cabinet last year and retired from the army in May.

Cabinet ministers have tweeted their condolences:

The US has hailed Deborah Samuel, a Christian second-year student killed in the northern Nigerian city of Sokoto in May for alleged blasphemy.

A mob of classmates beat her to death after accusing her of insulting Islam in a voice note she had shared on WhatsApp.

Samuel was recognised on Monday during the marking of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

"We honour her life as we continue the work to end such vicious violence," Ambassador Rashad Hussain tweeted.

The killing sparked a social media storm between some Muslims and Christians in the country, with each side accusing the other of intolerance and extremism.

A peaceful protest in Sokoto turned violent, with demands for the release of the suspected killers.

The state government imposed a 24-hour curfew to regain peace in the state.

More on this topic:

• Killed for blasphemy: 'Like a spear pierced my heart'

Volunteer migrant worker Pascale Hansez said Yordanos Brhane was "too good for this world".

The US has sent its first ambassador to Sudan in 25 years, two years after it removed it from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

Ambassador John Godfrey arrived in the capital, Khartoum, on Wednesday and tweeted that he was delighted to be there and looked forward to supporting the Sudanese people's transition to democracy:

Sudan was added to the list of countries that sponsor terrorism in 1993 after accusations that it supported al-Qaeda, whose founder Osama bin Laden lived in Sudan from 1992 to 1996.

In 1997, the US downgraded representation in Sudan from ambassador to the level of charge d’affaires and imposed economic sanctions.

The US announced plans to upgrade the representation in 2019 and the following year appointed an ambassador.

BBC World Service

Image source, AFP

Angola's electoral commission says the governing MPLA has registered a strong lead after the early results of Wednesday's presidential and parliamentary elections.

The commission said that with a third of ballots counted, President João Lourenço's party has received more than 60% of votes.

The rebel-turned opposition movement, Unita, has nearly 34%.

Unita has called the provisional results unreliable.

The MPLA, which has been in power for more than four decades, has been criticised for not tackling inflation, poverty and unemployment, despite huge oil wealth.

Read more:

• Angola election: Long-dominant MPLA faces tough Unita challenge