Image source, Getty Images

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has denied reports that its soldiers deployed in northern Mozambique for peacekeeping are starving due to shortage of food.

The army dismissed a local newspaper report titled 'BDF troops starving', terming it "baseless and unfounded".

In a statement on Wednesday, BDF said its soldiers in Mozambique's restive Cabo Delgado province are physically and morally supported to attain "fighting power".

About 300 BDF troops were deployed in 2021 under the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) mission to Mozambique (Samim).

Intensified patrols by Mozambican forces and Samim troops have resulted in a drop in militant activity in northern Mozambique, local media reported.

Samba Cyuzuzo
BBC Great Lakes

Image source, Twitter/ Carine Kanimba

The family of Paul Rusesabagina, the man whose heroism inspired the Hotel Rwanda movie, has spoken on his arrival to the US after more than two years in a Rwandan prison.

Mr Rusesabagina, 68, arrived at his home in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday afternoon after departing from Qatar.

"Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to bring him home. Our family is finally reunited today,” his daughter Carine Kanimba - who lead campaign to free her father, said on Twitter, external.

“We’re glad to have him back on US soil”, the White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was also quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Mr Rusesabagina was freed after talks brokered by Qatar. He was serving a sentence to 25 years on terrorism charges.

Image source, AFP

US ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, has been discharged from hospital after sustaining minor injuries in a car crash in the capital, Khartoum.

The embassy said two other employees were also involved in the Wednesday accident.

It did not state the cause of the accident but said the trio was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after experiencing minor injuries.

Ambassador Godfrey is now resting at home, the embassy tweeted, external.

Mr Godfrey is the first US ambassador to Sudan in nearly a quarter a century and arrived in the country in August 2022.

The two countries opened a “new chapter” in 2021 after Sudan completed paying compensation to American victims of terror attacks in Kenya, Tanzania and Yemen.

There is a heavy police presence in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, after the government banned opposition protests that are scheduled for Thursday.

Local media outlets have been sharing pictures of water canons and riot police stationed in opposition strongholds across the city.

Road blocks have also been mounted on roads leading to state house - the president's official residence.

Businesses have been opened in the city centre and public transport vehicles are operating. Authorities have, however, suspended train services in Nairobi ahead of expected demonstrations.

Protesters in the western towns of Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori have already blocked roads with bonfires and rocks, according to media reports.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arrived at his office at dawn and has urged Kenyans to report to work.

Image source, Getty Images

Kenya's interior ministry has said the country is on the brink of chaos, a situation that is “a grave danger to the rule of law and the stability of our country”.

The ministry on Wednesday vowed to deploy a robust police presence to stop what it called a descent into "irretrievable anarchy", ahead of more opposition protests planned for Thursday.

There have been several violent confrontations over recent days between supporters of the opposition politician, Raila Odinga, and the police.

Mr Odinga has called for the demonstrations twice a week – Monday and Thursdays - to protest against the high cost of living and what he calls the need for electoral justice after last year's election.

At least two people have been killed in the protests, with 85 civilians and 51 police officers injured, according to the interior ministry. Private properties have been damaged and looted, and a church and mosque burnt in the ensuing chaos.

On Monday, the former president Uhuru Kenyatta family's farm was invaded by looters and a gas cylinder factory linked to Mr Odinga was also vandalised.

“The current portrait of anarchy and the unfolding criminal madness must stop… Any aggravation of the prevailing situation would certainly set back the country. We must halt the descent,” the interior ministry said.

BBC World Service

Image source, AFP

The United States Vice-President Kamala Harris has arrived in Tanzania on the second leg of her first tour to Africa.

She will meet President Samia Suluhu where she is expected to raise the issue of Tanzania's non-alignment over the war in Ukraine.

The US has been keen to get more countries to condemn the Russian invasion.

Correspondents say the US vice-president's tour comes at a time of growing competition for influence in Africa by global powers such as China and Russia.

Jessica McCallin
BBC World Service Newsroom

Image source, Reuters

Police in Senegal fired tear gas and stun grenades at people demonstrating in the capital, Dakar, on the eve of a libel trial of an opposition leader.

Authorities have banned protests relating to Thursday's resumption of Ousmane Sonko's court case, but the main opposition coalition says it will defy the restrictions.

Mr Sonko is accused of defaming the tourism minister Mame Mbaye Niang with allegations of embezzlement. He denies the charges.

If found guilty, Sonko would be barred from running in next year's presidential election.

There has been violence in several cities since Mr Sonko's defamation trial opened on 16 March.

Last week, President Macky Sall urged police to take all appropriate measures to ensure security following deadly protests.

Image source, Getty Images

Eswatini has denied a report that it committed some public assets as collateral in case the government failed to pay Taiwan loans.

A local website had on 26 March reported that the government pledged to forfeit two national assets in case it failed to repay a loan for their construction.

Eswatini took a loan from Taiwan's Exim bank for the construction of the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel (Fish) - to host government offices and meetings.

In a statement on Wednesday, Eswatini's Economic Planning and Development Minister Thambo Gina said he was not aware of such an agreement, saying Eswatini laws do not allow pledging public assets as collateral for loans.

Mr Gina said the report created an "erroneous and regrettable disinformation campaign against a loyal and steadfast ally of the Kingdom of Eswatini".

"The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini bilateral cooperation with the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which dates back to 1968, is above board and conforms to the constitution and the country's laws," Mr Gina said.

He said the two countries have over the years signed periodic agreements to guide the cooperation in agreed areas of mutual interest.

Eswatini is the only African state and one of 14 countries worldwide that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan - which China regards as a breakaway province.

Taiwan and Eswatini are set to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic ties in September.

Our proverb of the day:

Click here to send us your African proverbs.

That's all for now from the BBC Africa Live team - we'll be back on Thursday morning, Nairobi time.

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

A reminder of Wednesday's wise words:

Click here to send us your African proverbs.

And we leave you with this photo that has just won this year's World Press Photo Contest in the Africa singles category - showing a so-called "witch camp" in Ghana. Women with dementia are sometimes perceived as witches and sent to live in these camps.

Image source, EPA/Lee-Ann Olwage

Will Ross
Africa editor, BBC World Service

Judges at the Supreme Court in London have started hearing a case which will determine whether nearly 30,000 Nigerians can seek compensation from the oil giant Shell for damage to land caused by a 2011 oil spill.

The communities from coastal areas in Bayelsa and Delta State said their land was badly damaged by the spill.

An earlier ruling by London's Court of Appeal said the case had been brought too long after the leak had happened.

Under English law a complainant can sue for damages to property no longer than six years after an alleged incident.

The spill was about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of Nigeria and lasted several hours before the pipeline was closed and oil stopped.

At least 40,000 barrels leaked into the sea, making it one of the largest spills ever in Nigeria.

The Nigerian communities argue that the oil devastated their shoreline and has continued to cause widespread damage to their land and water supply and so they should be allowed to seek compensation.

A ruling is not expected for months

Chris Ewokor
BBC News, Abuja

Image source, AFP

Nigeria has taken a step backwards politically as fewer women than ever won seats in the recently held elections, the UK’s outgoing ambassador has told the BBC.

Catriona Laing said the number of women elected had actually reduced.

She noted that the unwillingness of men to share political power with women had made Nigeria lag behind and miss out on global leadership and economic development opportunities.

“This 50% of the population are sadly not yet achieving the full contribution they can make to Nigeria.

“But I have seen so many examples of amazing role models - women in Nigeria and outside of Nigeria,” she said, citing the deputy UN chief, Amina Mohammed, and head of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as examples.

“You’ve got senior women… who are doing amazing things, you’ve got to exploit that 50%,” said Ms Laing, who has been in Nigeria for nearly five years - the first female British high commissioner to the country.

But she said Nigeria had made major democratic progress during the last election, having broken the dominance of the traditional two-party system and given the citizens more democratic choices.

She also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the improvements in the conduct of the polls despite some operational flaws.

But she called on the electoral body to investigate what caused the uploading failure of polling unit results to its portal for Nigerians to view in real time - a situation that has caused many to question the credibility of the exercise.

Four opposition parties have gone to a tribunal to challenge the outcome of the presidential election.

The British diplomat also spoke about the case of Nnamdi Kanu, a separatist leader who is on trial for treason.

He is also a British citizen and she said he had been provided with consular assistance - though the British government would not interfere in the legal process of a sovereign nation.

As she prepares to leave Nigeria, Ms Laing highlighted aspects of life in Nigeria she really enjoys, including the people, the food, and catfish pepper soup.

Lesotho is a small mountainous kingdom entirely surrounded by its much larger neighbour.

Aboubakar Famau
BBC News, Dar es Salaam

Image source, AFP

US Vice-President Kamala Harris is expected to arrive in Tanzania shortly for a three-day official visit - the second stop on her three-nation tour of Africa.

She will first meet President Samia Suluhu Hassan, before going to the Tanzania Start-up Association (TAS) to speak to upcoming entrepreneurs.

Expectations are very high among Tanzanians, especially within the business community, as they expect her visit to improve bilateral relations across the board.

The US and Tanzania enjoy a trading relationship that is valued at $424m (£344m) a yaer, while US investment in Tanzania amounts to $1bn.

Ms Harris is the first high-ranking official from President Joe Biden’s administration to visit the East African nation.

Tanzania and the US have long historical diplomatic ties - though they became a little strained under the tenure of Mrs Samia’s predecessor, John Magufuli.

The US has always been committed to strengthening democracy and working to improve women’s and children’s health, HIV/Aids, nutrition and food security.

Mr Magufuli, who died in office two years ago, was not shy of showing his intolerance for multiparty politics.

He was also infamous for scuppering an attempt to overturn the stipulation that pregnant schoolgirls be expelled from school.

Mrs Samia has sought to improve relations and visited the US 11 months ago when she met Ms Harris in Washington DC.

Ms Harris's visit also comes at a time when there is a growing debate on LGBT issues in East Africa - and she is likely touch on the topic. Parliament in neighbouring Uganda last week passed a law to crack down on homosexual activities, prompting widespread condemnation.

Will Ross
Africa editor, BBC World Service

Image source, AFP

Human rights campaigners are calling on companies to increase the pay for impoverished miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are digging up cobalt - an essential commodity in the production of electric cars.

Huge mining companies engaged in the switch to greener energy are making multi-billion dollar profits, while the Congolese workers digging for cobalt are falling further into poverty.

That is the warning from two human rights groups - the UK’s Raid, and Cajj, which is based in southern DR Congo near Kolwezi where most of the world's cobalt is mined.

Food prices there have been soaring and the campaign groups say most miners are being paid much less than the $480 (£390) a month they need to support their families.

They want the mining giants, including those from Europe and China that operate DR Congo’s industrial mines, to pay more, and electric vehicle companies to end contracts with cobalt suppliers exploiting miners.

“The switch to clean energy must be a just transition, not one that leaves Congolese workers in increasingly desperate living conditions,” Cajj’s Josué Kashal said in a statement, external.

Pumza Fihlani
BBC News, Johannesburg

MPs in Lesotho are debating a motion to reclaim huge tracts of land from its giant neighbour South Africa.

“It’s time for what is ours to be returned to us,” opposition MP Tsepo Lipholo told his fellow lawmakers.

He said while this was an issue dating back many decades, he believed it was still an important issue that needed addressing.

His motion is based on a 1962 UN resolution that recognised the right to self-determination and independence for the people of Basutoland - as Lesotho was called before its independence in 1966.

Historically the Basotho lived in parts of South Africa's Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

But many were forced to move because of conflict in the 19th Century to present-day Lesotho where resources are scarce.

The landlocked country is largely mountainous with limited agricultural space in the lowlands.

The former British protectorate has been heavily dependent on the country which completely surrounds it - South Africa.

Over the decades thousands of workers have been forced by the lack of job opportunities to find work at South African mines.

Mr Lipholo said land reclaimed from South Africa would help to bring prosperity to the Basotho people.

The Lesotho government is yet to comment on the issue.

More on this topic:

• LISTEN: Why do some people in Lesotho want parts of South Africa?

Ferdinand Omondi
BBC News, Nairobi

Image source, Getty Images

The governor of Kisumu in western Kenya, the stronghold of opposition leader Raila Odinga, has suspended opposition protests in the county.

Governor Anyang Nyong’o said protesters would instead go to the capital, Nairobi, to join the demonstrations that have been called for twice a week - on Mondays and Thursdays - by Mr Odinga.

They are to protest against the high cost of living and what Mr Odinga calls electoral justice after last year's election.

Mr Nyong’o said he had taken the decision after consultations with his party.

It is unclear how he intends to enforce the suspension, especially with more fanatical supporters.

Kisumu city has witnessed some of the most violence since the protests began two weeks ago. At least three people have been killed nationwide, two of them in Kisumu.

Running battles between the police and protesters have been taking place in the capital and its suburbs, with many business shutting their operations in the city.

On Monday, crowds also set fire to parts of a farm owned by the family of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and a gas factory linked to Mr Odinga was also vandalised.

The opposition has indicated Thursday's protests will go on.

Anbarasan Ethirajan
South Asia editor, BBC World Service

A female cheetah who was relocated to India from Namibia last year has given birth to four cubs - the first in the country in about 70 years, the Indian environment minister says.

Bhupendar Yadav described it as a momentous event in India's conservation history - and tweeted a clip of the new-borns:

Asian cheetahs became extinct in India seven decades ago.

The Indian government released eight African cheetahs last year in the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh as part of an ambitious project to reintroduce the big cats.

Image source, Getty Images

Some of them are kept in protected large enclosures.

One of the animals died earlier this year due to illness.

More on this topic:

• Inside India's plan to bring back extinct cheetahs

Ghana's parliament has amended sections of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which makes attempting to take ones own life a crime.

Following the amendment on Tuesday, attempted suicide will now be considered a mental health issue requiring assistance by law, Ghana's TV3 network reported, external.

Ghanaian health experts have been pushing for the law to be changed, saying attempted suicide is a medical condition that needs health support rather than imprisonment.

Some survivors of attempted suicide had also called for resources to be spent on prevention.

Local media say about 1,500 cases of suicide are reported nationwide every year.

Image source, Getty Images

If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations in the UK which offer advice and support, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline

Samaritans provide a safe place to talk where calls are completely confidential. From the UK and Ireland call 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org, external.

• NHS help for suicidal thoughts, external
• Emotional Distress: Information and Support

Image source, Twitter/KWS

The stuffed body of the last male northern white rhino has been put on display at a Kenyan museum.

He was called Sudan and died aged 45 in March 2018 at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. He was put down after age-related complications worsened.

The taxidermy was done in the Czech Republic and afterwards Sudan was put on display in the National Museum in Prague in 2021, Kenya's tourism ministry said.

Only two northern white rhinos are alive today: his daughter and granddaughter.

Conservationists have harvested eggs from the females and hope to use in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to save the species from extinction.

More on this topic:

• The audacious plan that could save a species
• First step in plan to save northern white rhino