For 24 years, Shankar endured a lonely existence - including at least 13 spent in solitary confinement.

A selection of the week's best photos from across the African continent and beyond.

Some commercial workers in Afriland Towers jumped out of the third and fourth floors when the fire started.

Despite opposition to the deal, Ghana's president says 40 more deportees will arrive from the US.

The parties of both President Lazarus Chakwera and his main rival, Peter Mutharika, say they won Tuesday's poll.

A specialist took the gold artefact from a Cairo museum and sold it through a jeweller, officials say.

Rwanda will make history when it becomes the first African nation to host cycling's Road World Championships from 21-28 September.

Marguerite Gnakadé has become a vocal critic of Togo's long-serving leader Faure Gnassingbé.

If no candidate wins more than half the votes, the top two contenders will head to a run-off.

The University of Surrey says it is tackling schistosomiasis, a major public health issue.

A photo of the 3,000-year-old bracelet has been sent to airports, seaports and border crossings to stop it being smuggled out of the country.

Islamists fighters are trying to prevent deliveries of fuel and other essential supplies to landlocked Mali.

Kenya's Beatrice Chebet is aiming to become just the third woman to clinch a 5,000m-10,000m double at the World Athletics Championships.

Niger's army has failed to contain the jihadist insurgency, with dozens killed in recent attacks.

As the 50th independence anniversary approaches the country grapples with poverty and inequality.

Million of litres of highly acidic waste spilled into rivers in a copper-mining area, farmers say.

The political rift that could spiral into conflict again after the vice-president was accused of treason.

Campaigns were overshadowed by price rises and fuel shortages.

The young men are seen dancing to a remix of a campaign song, with altered lyrics.

The 21-year-old was killed in 2012 and her body found in a septic tank in the garrison town of Nanyuki.