The government says "stopping the boats" is a key political priority, but how is it going about it?

Last November's peace deal has allowed aid supplies into Tigray again, but there are still concerns about the food situation.

Foster carer Mike Foster says looking after teenagers from abroad is the best thing he's done.

For the latest updates, go to bbc.com/africalive

Africa will win the World Cup 'within 15-20 years' says Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who has come closer than any coach to delivering that long-held aim.

The South African president is in a tight race with former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to lead party.

Only 8.8% of eligible voters took part in parliamentary elections largely boycotted by the opposition.

BBC World Service

Image source, Getty Images

South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) will today elect its executive.

The country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, will be seeking re-election as party leader, despite being embroiled in accusations of serious misconduct over an undeclared theft from his farm.

He’s up against the former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize - who also faces allegations of corruption. Both men deny any wrongdoing.

Some 4,426 ANC delegates will choose the new leadership. Correspondents say Mr Ramaphosa is predicted to retain his position in what is expected to be a closely fought race.

Despite crippling electricity blackouts across South Africa, it has emerged that the area where the conference is taking place has been exempted from power outages.

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe has said the party didn’t request any favours.

As rebels step up attacks, the government has responded with air strikes in the Oromia region.

Hundreds of dogs and their owners came together for the 4th annual Lagos Dog Carnival.

Tshala Muana was known for both her voice and sexy dancing which led to calls for her to be banned.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is disrupted during the opening speech of the ANC party conference.

Police say the boy was saved after local man threw stones at the animal to warn it off.

Mohammed El Zubaidy took his daughters from their mother and left them in Libya in 2015.

That's all from the BBC Africa Live team for this year - we're signing off for the festive season but will be back on Tuesday 3 January at bbc.com/africalive.

In the meantime you can get the latest news from the BBC website and our Africa Today podcast.

A reminder of our African proverb of the day:

Click here to send us your African proverbs.

And we leave you with this photo of Christmas lights in Nigeria - it's one of our favourites of the past week:

Image source, Reuters

"Immigrants are over-represented in the French national team in the World Cup," a far-right politician has said adding, "I do not think this team represent France".

Marion Marechal is the niece of far-right politician Marine Le Pen, and belongs to the recently formed Reconquête party, whose name refers to Spain's "Reconquista" period when Christians drove Muslim rulers out of the country.

Her comments ignore the fact that many black and Arab players were born in France, as well as the reality that the players - like millions of others in the country - are proud to be both French by nationality while also having roots in Africa or elsewhere.

Some have jokingly called France Africa's sixth team on account of having many footballers who boast African connections, and this image from Morocco World News , externalis being shared widely online:

Image source, Morocco World News

Tanitoluwa Adewumi rose to national stardom after winning a major tournament at eight years old.

Cyril Ramaphosa is under pressure as he opens the ANC conference where he is running for a new term.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino predicts a bright future for African football following the continent's 2022 World Cup display.

Image source, Getty Images

Some fans online are disappointed that singer Asake has only come to the attention of most British media now for a tragic news story, rather than earlier on for his talent.

Back in September tickets for the Nigerian star's London concert sold out in five minutes flat, external, but a crush on the night of the show has left four people in critical condition and the mayor says an urgent investigation is under way, external.

"My heart is with those who were injured last night...I pray you get well soonest", external, the afrobeats star posted on his Instagram account on Friday, adding that he was attempting to reach out to all the individuals involved in the crush.

There had been huge anticipation for his UK dates, however there were boos and many complaints at his Birmingham show, external that the artist had left fans waiting for hours before he came on stage.

At the time there had been some concern that the crowds at his shows weren't being managed properly which could have resulted in injuries.

Fans in Manchester for the 10 December concert were also discouraged from turning up to the venue without tickets, external in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the scenes at Birmingham.

Investigations into what happened at the London show are ongoing.