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

That's all from the BBC Africa Live team until Monday morning.

In the meantime, you can find the latest updates on the BBC News website, or listen to our podcast Africa Today.

A reminder of our African proverb of the day:

Click here to send us your African proverbs.

And we leave you with this picture of dancers performing on a mountain near Durban during the annual pilgrimage of South Africa's Shembe Church. It is from our selection of the some of the best pictures from across the continent this week.

Image source, AFP

Catherine Byaruhanga
BBC News

A rebel commander of Ethiopia’s rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has told the BBC that the militants staged a prison break in Bule Hora city in the south of the country.

“After an hour-long fight with government forces, we broke [into] the prison and freed more than 2,000 people who have been jailed after being accused of supporting the OLA," Jaal Abdisa, OLA deputy commander for West Guji, which includes Bule Hora, told the BBC:

Local officials say the number of people who escaped is much lower at 480.

Residents in the area told the BBC they heard gunshots for several hours.

Commander Jaal Abdisa said the prison break was staged to free its sympathisers detained by the government.

But this was a bloody operation leaving a number of police officers dead. Local officials say some of those who escaped were convicted criminals and others were OLA members.

Even though the attack happened last weekend – details are only emerging in the last few days because the region is remote and too dangerous for the media to operate in.

Mobile phone footage which circulated after the prison break shows a chaotic scene at night.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the video, but armed fighters wearing military uniform are seen walking around as inmates quickly gather their belongings. The voice of a man then congratulates the prisoners on being released by the OLA.

Ethiopia’s parliament has designated the OLA as a terrorist group.

The militants claim they are fighting against the oppression of the Oromo people who make up 40% of Ethiopia’s population.

Despite efforts to reach peace in northern Ethiopia fighting has intensified in the populous Oromia region.

BBC World Service

A court in London has dismissed an attempt by Friends of the Earth to get the British government's financial support for a gas project in Mozambique to be declared unlawful.

The environmental group had argued that the $1bn (£821m) funding in the form of loans and guarantees would contravene the UK's climate change commitments under the Paris accords.

Friends of the Earth said the judgement was extremely disappointing.

The $20bn liquified natural gas project in northern Mozambique is being led by France's Total.

The legal action failed in a lower court and has now been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Michelle Katami
BBC Sport Africa

A flamboyant and loquacious Tanzanian boxer is in Kenya ahead of his first international bout.

Karim Madonga nicknamed mtu kazi (translated in street Kiswahili as "a fighter") has a huge following in East Africa and is known for his over the top boasts of his boxing ability.

In his last fight he described his punch as a "heat-seeking missile". Now before Saturday's bout, he compared his punch to a "Ukrainian missile".

The 43-year-old has won three fights, lost three and drawn one.

He drew crowds as he walked around the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

“I have been received well in Kenya. I started boxing in 2002, boxing has made me a brand. Boxing took me to the city. I am the only boxer who became a star after losing a fight. And when I am beaten I talk about it, when I win, I talk more about it. In boxing you have to know how to talk and fight. I know both. Wanyonyi will be beaten,” Mandonga told BBC Sport Africa.

His opponent, 39-year-old Daniel Wanyonyi, says Mandonga’s personality is good for the sport.

“His talk makes him popular. We love such boxers. I am good at boxing, he is good at talking. I am ready for the fight tomorrow, it will be 10 rounds. There is pressure because we are at home and everyone is expecting me to win... However, I am telling Kenyans to leave that to me, victory will remain at home,” Daniel said .

Their fight will serve as a curtain raiser for the main fight between Kenyan boxer Rayton Okwiri and Tanzanian boxer Ally Ndaro.

A total of 11 fights will take place at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). Organisers are hoping that the event will raise the profile of the sport which has waned over the years.

Kalkidan Yibeltal
BBC News

The authorities in Ethiopia’s Oromia region say they are searching for around four 480 prisoners who escaped following a rebel raid.

A local official blamed the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA ) for the attack which happened several days ago and left five police officers dead.

The OLA has not commented.

The deputy mayor of Bule Hora city told the BBC that some of the inmates were members of the OLA.

While international attention has focused on the peace deal in Tigray in northern Ethiopia, the security situation continues to deteriorate in parts of Oromia.

The sarcophagus of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh is to be exhibited in Paris on a rare loan for the first time in almost half-a-century.

The ornate coffin of Ramses The Second - who ruled Egypt from 1279-1213 BC – will go on show in the French capital for five months from April.

The ornate, yellow sculptured sarcophagus will be displayed empty, as Egyptian law forbids transporting royal mummies abroad.

It depicts the recumbent king in bright colours, wearing a striped pharaonic headdress and holding his sceptre and whip of office.

Ramses The Second – reputed to be a great warrior and builder of temples - is one of the best-known pharaohs.

BBC World Service

The anti apartheid activist, Frene Ginwala, who became the founding speaker of South Africa's first democratically elected parliament, has died at the age of 90.

During the 1960s and 70s she lived in exile in Mozambique from where she helped many prominent members of the banned African National Congress (ANC) escape abroad.

Ms Ginwala also travelled around the world drawing international attention to the abuses of the apartheid era.

When white-minority rule ended with the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, Ms Ginwala was appointed speaker of the National Assembly.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country was mourning the passing of a formidable patriot.

Omar Wally
Journalist, The Gambia

There's growing concern in The Gambia about the welfare of animals at a popular tourist farm owned by a soldier who was detained last month for allegedly plotting a coup.

Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera's family don't know how to feed the animals and have been asking for help.

Some scorpions, chameleons and snakes are among animals that have died since his arrest on 22 December.

The farm in Nema city some 155km (96 miles) west of the capital, Banjul, also has crocodiles, turtles and a fish pond.

People are also concerned about the state of the farm if it doesn't receive the care needed.

Lance Corporal Federa is being accused of being the mastermind of a plot to overthrow President Adama Barrow.

Last month, his sister told the BBC that he was not involved in any plot to topple the president.

Six other officers have also been detained.

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Image source, AFP

Russia says it is planning to work with Burkina Faso to develop strategies to fight terrorism in the West African nation, state-owned news agency AIB reports.

This emerged following a meeting between Burkinabe Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tembela and Russian ambassador accredited to Burkina Faso, Alex Saltynov.

"We will develop a roadmap for bilateral co-operation. And from this, we will see what Russia could bring to Burkina Faso within the framework of security and the fight against terrorism," the Russian envoy was quoted as saying.

Burkina Faso appears to be progressively embracing Russia under the influence of neighbouring Mali, where diplomatic relations with France collapsed last year over the deployment of mercenaries from the Wagner Group.

In December, the interim prime minister's visit to Russia triggered rumours of the presence of Russian mercenaries in the country.

Ameyu Etana
BBC Afaan Oromoo

Image source, Getty Images

Two high profile inmates have escaped after spraying chilli powder in the eyes of guards escorting them back to prison in south - western Ethiopian town of Alaba, police have said.

They were two of four who made the bid to break free.

"Out of four inmates who escaped, one was killed, another injured and two are still at large,’’ Deputy Commander Taju Negash of Southern Nations regional state police told the BBC.

It's unclear where the inmates got the chilli from.

The killed inmate was facing another charge of throwing a grenade at police officers while in prison.

Police say its members were not harmed by the chilli powder attack.

Red pepper is used in Ethiopian cuisine and Alaba is famous for its cultivation.

The authorities said the inmates on the run are dangerous and that they are planning to release their mugshots so the public can assist in the search.

Kennedy Gondwe
BBC News, Lusaka

A court in Zambia's Ndola city has released four Croatian couples on bail after they were charged on allegations of attempted child trafficking.

All the suspects pleaded not guilty.

Workers at a guesthouse say that the couples checked in without children, but on the third day of their stay they noticed they had four minors, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, in their care, local media report.

Three of the children were three years old and the other was 15 months old, Lusaka Times reports.

The couples said they had adopted them, the news site reports, but Zambian authorities said they will verify the claim with their Congolese counterparts.

Testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha, the guesthouse's General Manager, Estelle Banda, told the court that she got suspicious after the four couples checked-in.

Receptionist Ethel Chabala also told the court that she saw the children days after the couples checked in, and that the minors were crying uncontrollably, a matter that raised suspicion that they may have been held against their will.

The hotel staff informed the police of their suspicions leading to the arrest of the eight Croatian nationals.

The trial resumes on 23 January.

Eight Ghanaian high school students who were expelled for insulting President Nana Akufo-Addo in a viral video have been allowed to resume classes, according to the education ministry.

In a statement, the ministry said President Akufo-Addo had intervened in reversing the expulsion of the Chiana Senior High School students.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) "was directed to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal", a statement by the ministry's spokesperson said.

The students had initially been suspended before being expelled on Thursday by GES.

Kalkidan Yibeltal
BBC News, Addis Ababa

Image source, AFP

Ethiopia’s defence forces say members of the Amhara special forces - allies with the federal government during the two-year civil war against fighters from Tigray - have started withdrawing from the Tigrayan city of Shire and its environments.

This comes as Tigrayan fighters earlier in the week began handing over their weapons in line with a peace agreement signed in November in Pretoria to end the brutal war.

Tigrayan forces have been demanding the withdrawal of forces from Amhara and neighbouring Eritrea from the region.

A send-off ceremony was held for the Amhara forces attended by the army’s deputy chief of staff, General Abebaw Tadesse, a statement by the defence forces said.

However, there is still no indication if Eritrean troops will follow.

The withdrawal of Amhara fighters from Shire - one of the biggest cities in the region - is likely to please Tigrayan forces.

However, disputed land in Western Tigray - claimed by both regions and currently under Amhara forces- is expected to continue to be a destabilising factor.

Kenyan authorities have warned against unauthorised home DNA test kits which are being marketed on digital platforms for retail sale.

It follows debate on social media about the home DNA test collection kits going on sale at a cost of 800 shillings ($6; £5), with an extra charge levied to get laboratory results.

In a statement, the regulator said it had not authorised any retailer to sell such kits.

"Consumers are encouraged to report to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board in case they come across any retailer selling related products," it said.

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Image source, AFP

Sudanese military ruler Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir have agreed to set up a joint force to secure their two countries' 1,800km- (1,120 mile-) border, state-owned channel Sudan TV has reported.

The agreement was announced following talks between the two leaders in South Sudan's capital, Juba, on Thursday.

The two countries' defence and foreign ministers also attended the talks.

Gen Burhan and Mr Kiir also discussed the disputed Abyei region, calling for "regular joint meetings" to resolve the dispute over the territory, the statement added.

Mr Kiir also briefed Burhan on the implementation of the 2018 South Sudan peace agreement, of which Sudan is one of the main guarantors.

Image source, Getty Images

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has held talks with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto.

In a tweet, the Ukrainian president said they discussed food security and the Grain from Ukraine initiative - a humanitarian programme to get Ukrainian grain to countries with acute food shortages.

Mr Zelensky said they also spoke about the creation of grain hubs in Africa, and agreed to enhance co-operation between the two countries.

The Ukrainian president also thanked Kenya for its support and “constructive co-operation in the UN” amid the war in his country that began after the Russia invasion in February last year.

The Kenyan presidency has not issued any statement regarding the Thursday talks.

Kenya made its opposition to the Russian invasion in a speech at the UN Security Council soon after the war began.

In September, Mr Ruto said he was committed to playing a leading collaborative role at the global level in solving the crisis in Ukraine.

Image source, Getty Images

Eight high school students who were expelled on Thursday for insulting Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in a viral video have apologised and asked to be allowed back to school.

“I am here with my colleagues on our knees to beg the president, the headmaster, the education office and our fellow Ghanaians. We are sorry for our video that went viral. We did not mean for it to go viral, it was a childish play, we are sorry and on our knees that the President should call us back,” one of the students said in a video.

The former students of Chiana Senior High School in the Upper East region were initially suspended before being expelled on Thursday by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

GES described the students' actions as “very undesirable, and contrary to the acceptable standards of the conduct generally required of any student in Ghana’s educational system”, according to local reports.

An opposition MP said the decision was harsh and retrogressive and asked the president to intervene, My JoyOnline news site, external reports.

BBC World Service

Image source, AFP

The constitutional court in Benin has declared that pro-government parties won a majority of seats in Sunday's parliamentary election.

Allies of President Patrice Talon secured 81 seats, while the main opposition party, the Democrats, won 28 seats.

It is the first time in four years that the opposition will be represented in parliament, as in the last poll the only parties that were allowed to compete were the ones loyal to President Tallon, whose opponents were jailed or exiled at that time.

Earlier the Democrats' party leader, Eric Houndete, denounced the result, saying the poll was rigged, though without providing evidence.

BBC World Service

Image source, AFP

The French and German foreign ministers say there can be no reconciliation in Ethiopia without justice.

They were speaking in Addis Ababa after meeting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to discuss the progress of November's peace deal between the federal government and Tigrayan rebels.

The ministers called for the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism to punish abuses committed during the conflict.

The ministers said they hoped to visit parts of Ethiopia in the future where the question of accountability played a big role.

Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that the government would ensure crimes do not go unpunished.

He told journalists that Ethiopia had asked the UN human rights office and the government-appointed rights commission to deploy monitors in war-affected areas.

All sides in the two-year war in northern Ethiopia have been accused of war crimes.

The US says there has been incremental but significant progress in restoring humanitarian access to Tigray.