Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service Newsroom

France has denied accusations by the military junta in Niger that it planned to destabilise the country.

Earlier the junta said French soldiers had freed captured jihadists, in order to attack military positions and that a French aircraft had breached the country's airspace, which was closed on Sunday.

But the government in Paris said the flight in question had been authorised by Niger's armed forces.

The coup leaders detained elected President Mohamed Bazoum last month and have since rebuffed diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke to Mr Bazoum earlier and assured him of ongoing support.

African netball is being tipped for growth after successfully hosting its first World Cup in Cape Town.

Kennedy Gondwe
BBC News, Lusaka

Image source, Getty Images

Zambian opposition Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe has been charged with libel and released on bail over a series of controversial social media posts.

Police Chief Graphael Musamba told a media briefing that Mr M’membe’s recent utterances bordered on inciting "civil disobedience" against the government.

“Him referring to military juntas in West Africa, only means one thing, to destabilise the peace the country has being enjoying. Is this the socialism he is preaching about, bringing military coups?" he said.Mr M’membe denies the allegations and despite his arrest has continued issuing statements online.

He claims a fresh order has been issued to the police and other law enforcement agencies to take full possession of all his electronic devices - phones, laptops and other belongings.

“What a sheer waste of time and energy? Let the police legally request for what they want from us and we shall cooperate, instead of resorting to such primitive policing techniques,” he posted on his Facebook page.

Mr M’membe who is a journalist-turned-politician once owned the Post newspaper which was controversially liquidated in 2016 for allegedly failing to meet tax obligations.

Favour Nunoo
BBC News, Accra

The sanctions imposed on Niger by the regional bloc Ecowas since last month's coup are intended to put pressure on the junta there.

But they may have an impact on other parts of the region.

There are concerns in Ghana that the sanctions could lead to an increase in price of some food items at a time when the country is already experiencing high inflation.

Ghana imports a large majority of its onions from Niger, according to traders in the capital city, Accra.

They have now raised an alarm over a possible shortage of the vital cooking ingredient.

Ecowas sanctions include a cut in trade ties with member states and this has resulted in over 70 trucks loaded with onions intended for Ghana being stuck at the Niger border.

Traders say the price of a bag of onion is likely to go up by 90% if the sanctions persist.

In 2021, Niger exported about $23m (£18m) worth of onions to Ghana and other West African countries.

Beryl Munoko
BBC News, London

Image source, Flight Radar

The closure of Niger's airspace since Sunday has resulted in longer and more fuel-consuming flights for multiple airlines.

It adds at least two hours of additional flight time or up to 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) for most flights from Europe to the south of the continent.

Niger's junta closed the airspace following the threat of military action from the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, if President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated.

The announcement was made while some flights were already in the air and they had to be re-routed while others had to fly back to their departure points.

Harriet Sergeant was travelling on a British Airways flight from Nairobi on Sunday night.

“We had gone to sleep... About four hours later, the captain woke us up and told us that we had to return because Niger had closed its airspace... There was simply not enough fuel to go around. So we had to go back, which was a really terrible feeling,” she said.

Flights had already been avoiding Libyan and Sudanese airspace.

Sudan’s ban on flights went into effect following the conflict there.

Multiple European countries including Germany, France and the UK as well as the US and Canada, prohibit their civil aircraft from operating in Libyan airspace.

Airlines will now have to alter their operations to accommodate the extra kilometres to their flights. which will increase the amount of fuel each flight will need adding to the costs.

Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service Newsroom

Image source, Reuters

The military junta in Niger has accused France, the former colonial power, of trying to destabilise the country.

It said a French aircraft had breached the country's airspace, which the junta had closed.

It also said French soldiers had freed captured jihadists, in order to attack military positions.

There's been no response yet from France.

Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted at the end of last month and the coup leaders have since resisted diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis.

Earlier US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke to Mr Bazoum and assured him of ongoing support.

The regional bloc Ecowas, which had threatened military intervention, is due to meet on Thursday to consider its next move.

Thomas Naadi
BBC News, Accra

Image source, AFP

In Ghana, prices rose, on average, by 43.1% over the past year, in the latest figures published by the country's statistical service.

This is a slight increase from the previous month's inflation rate, but it has caused concern among experts as it was the third consecutive month when it rose. At the beginning of the year there were signs that inflation was slowing.

The price rises are largely driven by the high cost of food.

In efforts to bring down inflation, the central bank has been raising interest rates, which is aimed at reducing demand.

But economist Dr Adu Sarkodie argues that the stubborn inflation rate is down to the bank printing too much money.

"If inflation was only caused by the cost of production, fuel costs and exchange rate effects, we would have seen the rate fall below 40% by now," he said.

On Tuesday, Ghana’s largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, issued a three-week ultimatum to the governor of the bank, Dr Ernest Addison, and his deputies, to resign.

They accuse them of incompetence, mismanagement and recklessness – allegations that central bank officials have denied.

Read more from Thomas about the cost of living in Ghana:

• Entrepreneurs struggle as cedi plunges and inflations rises

No group has yet come forward to admit responsibility for the attack outside Mogadishu.

Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service Newsroom

Image source, EPA

The Kenyan government has begun talks with the opposition to try and resolve a political feud following a series of violent protests over the high cost of living and calls for electoral reforms.

Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has organised a series of demonstrations in recent months.

Officials say at least 20 people have been killed in clashes between the security forces and protesters.

However, activists say the figure is much higher.

The unrest has provoked alarm at home and abroad and prompted calls for mediation to end the standoff.

Residents of the Khartoum area are shaken by an intense wave of bombing targeting paramilitary forces.

Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act contradicts the World Bank Group's values, the global financier says.

BBC Arabic's Sudan Lifeline radio

Sudanese medical workers in North Kordofan state have been striking for the last five days demanding payment of financial dues.

The strike in El-Obayed hospital includes all emergency and trauma facilities, while dialysis centres, gynaecology and obstetrics facilities are still partially functioning.

Dr Nazifa Awad Allah said this was a last resort for the doctors after more than 12 meetings over two months had failed to reach an agreement.

The doctors say they are striking due to lack of adequate transportation to and from hospitals, low numbers of medical staff, delayed financial payments over about 10 months, as well as terrible working conditions.

“We also called for providing a suitable work environment for doctors, given that hospitals and doctors’ lounge are in very bad conditions," added another Sudanese doctor on strike.

Fighting continues between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's capital Khartoum as well as the adjacent cities of Omdurman and Bahri despite international mediation efforts.

Image source, Getty Images

Celebrated Malian musician Salif Keita has resigned from the National Transitional Council (CNT) - the legislative body set up to help steer the country away from military rule towards democracy.

In a video shared online, , externalan official reads out a statement on behalf of Keita in which he says he resigned from the position for "purely personal reasons".

"I will always remain the undisputed friend of my country's military," the statement adds.

Keita had been a member of Mali’s transitional legislative assembly since December 2020 after it was formed following the August 2020 coup that ousted former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (no relation).

However, some local media reports say Mr Keita was fired due to misconduct.

They say , externalthe dismissal was motivated by "serious acts of breach of the duties of probity, dignity and honour".

The largely pro-junta CNT has 147 members and has been overseeing constitutional and other legal reforms ahead of transitional elections in which Mali's military rulers are expected to hand over power to civilians in early 2024.

Kalkidan Yibeltal
BBC News, Addis Ababa

Doctors in Bahir Dar, the capital of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, have told the BBC that a large number of civilians have been killed in recent fighting between local militias and government troops.

A doctor in the city’s main hospital said casualties included elderly people and a five-month old baby.

Residents said that a militia had taken control of a prison and released inmates.

Tensions have been rising since April when the government announced it was dismantling regional forces across Ethiopia, provoking protests by Amhara nationalists who said the move would weaken their region.

In a statement on Tuesday, the government said there was relative calm in parts of the region while measures were being taken to clear the two biggest cities, Bahir Dar and Gondar, of militias.

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it has suspended flights to four airports in the region - including Bahirdar and Gondar - for three days.

Image source, Getty Images

The World Bank has suspended new loans to Uganda following the country's enactment of a tough law against same-sex relations.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the anti-LGBT law in May, which imposes the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" and a 20-year jail term for "promoting" homosexuality.

The World Bank said in a statement, external on Tuesday that the law "fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values”, noting that its vision "includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality”.

It said that “no new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors” pending a review of the efficacy of new measures put up in the context of the new legislation.

Uganda has dismissed the move as unjust and hypocritical.

"There are many Middle East countries who do not tolerate homosexuals, they actually hang and execute homosexuals. In the US many states have passed laws that are either against or restrict activities of homosexuality... so why pick on Uganda?" Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs Okello Oryem was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.

The World Bank had provided $5.4bn ($4.2bn) in development financing to Uganda by the end of 2022, mostly in health and education projects, Reuters reports.

In June, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of $120m to Uganda but warned of tighter restrictions on financing over the anti-gay law.

The World Bank joins the US in imposing sanctions against Uganda over the anti-homosexuality law.

Read more:

• Uganda anti-gay laws: Beaten and forced to flee for being LGBT

Gloria Aradi
BBC News, Nairobi

South African entertainment company Multichoice, which owns and operates satellite pay TV service DSTV, has withdrawn from Malawi after a court barred its local franchise from increasing prices.

The company said "no new subscriptions or reconnections will be accepted” and it would only continue serving clients with active subscriptions until 10 September.

The withdrawal of services from Malawi marks the end of a hostile relationship between Multichoice and the regulator.

Last month, Multichoice Malawi announced an increase in DSTV prices, but the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) acquired a temporary court injunction preventing the hike from going through.

MultiChoice Malawi reacted by obtaining a temporary stay of the injunction.

Macra in January fined MultiChoice 10 million kwacha ($9,220; £8,400) and ordered the company to refund subscribers the added amount after MultiChoice raised DSTV prices without the regulator’s approval.

MultiChoice Malawi argued that it was merely collecting subscription fees on behalf of MultiChoice Africa, which sets and adjusts the prices.

MultiChoice prides itself as Africa’s leading entertainment platform, serving 23.5 million households across 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

While DSTV provides various entertainment services, it is best known for the streaming of live sports events, particularly football.

In recent months, MultiChoice Africa has hiked the subscription fees for TV services in some markets, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.

The company has responded to criticism from users in these countries by explaining that the price hikes have been caused by inflation and subsequent increase in its operating costs.

Gloria Aradi
BBC News, Nairobi

Image source, Getty Images

Kenyans online have condemned a plan to increase national parks entry fees beginning from next year.

The Nairobi National Park, famed globally as the only national park within a city, is most affected by the proposed increase announced on Tuesday, with fees increasing by almost a factor of five.

The park’s entry fees will go up to 2,000 Kenyan shillings ($13; £12) - up from the current 430 shillings for Kenyans and East African residents.

Residents of other African countries and the rest of the world will pay up to $100 - more than double the current fee of $43.

Visitors to other parks across the country will also pay a higher amount depending on the park category and season, but the increase is lower than that charged to access the park in the capital.

Many Kenyans are arguing that the proposed fees are too high, coming amid a rise in the general cost of living.

Some say the increase will exclude most Kenyans from viewing wildlife and reduce their access to green spaces, particularly in the capital, Nairobi, which has limited free or affordable green spaces.

“High entrance fees might discourage families and students from learning about nature. We need solutions that encourage exploration and education without financial barriers. The proposed rates for 2024 in Mara and KWS parks need to be done away with,” said Stellamaris Miriti, a director of a tour company.

Kenyans have also accused the Kenya Wildlife Service, the agency behind the plan, of failing to show transparency in the public participation process that the agency says supports the hike.

According to KWS, the fees help the agency in “conserving and protecting natural resources, such as wildlife, habitats and ecosystems”.

Thomas Naadi
BBC News, Accra

Image source, Getty Images

Ghana’s main opposition party has given a three-week ultimatum to the central bank governor and his deputy to resign.

The National Democratic Congress accuses Ernest Addison of recklessness and mismanaging the bank - with the bank accused of illegally printing money and spending over $8.6m (£6.7m) on travel expenses.

A recent annual report of the central bank indicated it recorded about $5.4bn in losses last year.

The bank has denied the NDC allegations and attributed the losses to a domestic debt restructuring deal that was part of the conditions for securing a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Ghana is currently trying to navigate its way out of its worst economic crisis in a generation.

The country’s inflation hit a record 54% in December last year.

This May the country secured a $3bn IMF bailout programme to address the economic crisis.

Read more: Ghana IMF loan: Will $3bn solve the economic crisis?

After Newcastle United loaned him to Champions League rivals Feyenoord, is Yankuba Minteh about to take another step towards the Premier League?

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

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Talks between the governing Kenya Kwanza and the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalitions to end political tensions over the rising cost of living and electoral reforms are due to resume.

Azimio led deadly protests in March and July against President William Ruto’s government to demand the reconstitution of the electoral commission and the lowering of the cost of living.

The unrest worsened after the government introduced higher taxes and levies in July to raise revenue for President Ruto’s first budget.

Rights group said at least 30 people died in the protests but the opposition gave a higher death toll of 50.

No timeframe has been given over the talks by a 10-member panel and divisions persist over the agenda.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s team wants to discuss the cost of living and electoral reforms after it lost the elections last year, but the government insists it is already working to fix inflation and reduce the cost of basic commodities.

The opposition suspended demonstrations in April and May to allow a similar bipartisan dialogue process, but protests resumed after talks collapsed.

Both Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga have said that the talks would not lead to any power-sharing deal.