Patrick Herminie, who wants to run for the presidency, says the case was politically motivated.

That's all from the BBC Africa Live team for now. There'll be an automated service until our team is back on Monday.

You can also listen to the BBC Focus on Africa podcast here.

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We leave you with this photo of Kenyan women marking Valentine's Day on Wednesday with a commemoration for victims of gender-based violence at a ceremony at the University of Nairobi:

Image source, Getty Images

Amanda Dlamini's presence on the commentary mic at the men's Afcon was an historic achievement for women in African football.

BBC World Service & Shingai Nyoka

Image source, AFP

The prominent Zimbabwean opposition politician, Job Sikhala, has been fined and given a nine-month suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of publishing falsehoods on social media.

In 2021 he said that a police officer had killed a child at a bus stop.

Sikhala's lawyer said he should never have been charged in the first place under a law which the top court long ruled to be unconstitutional.

The politician has just been released from almost two years of pre-trial detention on unrelated charges.

He has accused the government of weaponising the courts, and faces another appearance on Friday.

Read more on this story:

• Job Sikhala, the man determined to wrestle Zimbabwe’s 'crocodile'

BBC World Service

Image source, AFP

A court in the Seychelles has dropped witchcraft charges against the leader of the main opposition party.

Patrick Herminie was arrested four months ago after prosecutors said he had been corresponding on social media with a Tanzanian found in possession of items linked to witchcraft - bottles of brownish liquid and documents containing language and symbols described as satanic.

Mr Herminie has always insisted the charges were politically motivated and intended to thwart his bid to run for the presidency next year.

The charges against the Tanzanian remains in force.

The case is linked to the discovery of two exhumed bodies in a cemetery on the main Seychelles island of Mahé.

These are the nation's first fatalities since a recent deployment to support the Congolese army.

Image source, Rose Tata Wekesa/YouTube

Kenyan science teacher, Rose Tata Wekesa, appears to have broken the world record for the longest non-stop science lesson.

The classroom laboratory, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, erupted into loud cheers as the clock reached 50 hours.

But Ms Wekesa was not finished and has pressed on beyond the 50-hours target. The record will now need to be verified by Guinness World Records.

She is a biology and chemistry teacher at St. Austin's Academy, an international school in Nairobi.

Last month she told the privately owned Citizen Digital news website she was undertaking the challenge because she wanted "to show the doable and interesting side of science".

She added: "I want to motivate young ones in school who want to become teachers by showing a teacher can achieve greater things beyond the classroom."

Her attempt is currently being livestreamed online, external and is taking place at the Multimedia University in Kenya.

More stories about record-breakers:

• Afua Asantewaa: Ghanaian media personality ends 126-hour singing marathon
• How Guinness World Record mania has gripped Nigeria

Dorcas Wangira
Africa health correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Animal health authorities in Kenya have confirmed that three hyenas which attacked and bit people in different locations were infected with rabies.

A series of unusual hyena attacks have occurred in the country since January.

Samples were collected from a hyena that bit a university student this month in the capital, Nairobi, and one that attacked two people in the neighbouring county of Kajiado.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), said the confirmation of rabies in the hyenas explains the unusual and aggressive behaviour towards people.

KWS issued a warning to people in the affected areas to "exercise caution".

At the beginning of the year KWS issued advice telling people to: “try not to show your fear, keep yourself calm by talking to it”. This drew mixed reactions from Kenyans.

Rabies is a neglected, vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries.

It causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mainly in Asia and Africa. Most deaths occur in children under 15 years of age.

People are usually infected following a deep bite or scratch from an animal with rabies.

It can take a week or 2-3 months or even up to a year before symptoms begin to show. Affected people may experience muscle pain, fatigue, fever, fear, hallucination, aggression and irritability. Once clinical symptoms appear, it almost always kills.

No human case of rabies has been reported yet after the wave of hyena attacks.

KWS has begun mass vaccination of domestic dogs in Nairobi.

Kalkidan Yibeltal
BBC News, Addis Ababa

Image source, Reuters

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has blasted Israel's spokesperson for accusing her government of "representing the interests of [the] Hamas terrorist organisation".

In response Ms Pandor told the BBC "insults are the last resort of a scoundrel".

Ms Pandor, who is in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to attend the African Union summit, said the international community had a responsibility to bring the Israel-Gaza conflict to an end.

"It’s unconscionable that the world has allowed this to carry on for so long," she said.

She added that the world needs to prepare for a "two-state solution".

Relations between Israel and South Africa have been tense since South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza - a charge it has rejected.

The ICJ ruled that Israel should do everything in its power to avoid killing Palestinians and they should address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Following the order, South Africa made an urgent request to the ICJ to consider whether Israel risks breaching the court orders.

Ms Pandor said South Africa will continue to "argue this onslaught on Palestinian people is designed to commit genocide".

Israel took action after Hamas-led gunmen killed at least 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages in a surprise attack on its territory on 7 October.

It has pledged to eliminate Hamas and get the hostages returned.

More than 27,800 Palestinians have been killed and at least 67,000 injured by the war launched by Israel in response, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Read more on South Africa's ICJ case against Israel:

• Israel reined in by ICJ rulings on Gaza - but will it obey?
• South Africa files ICJ case accusing Israel of 'genocidal acts'

Nichola Mandil
BBC News, Juba

Image source, Sumaya Elmatbagi

Tributes are pouring in for veteran Sudanese journalist Mahjoub Mohamed Salih, who has died at the age of 95.

Mr Salih passed away in the capital of Egypt, Cairo, on Tuesday.

South Sudanese and Sudanese journalists took to social media to express their grief at the passing of a media icon who founded the oldest independent newspaper in Sudan, Al-Ayyam, in 1958.

“We mourn the dean of Sudanese journalists, Mr Mahjoub Mohamed Salih, a fierce warrior on the path of peace and justice, defender of democracy and human rights," wrote journalist Isma’il Kushkush.

Mr Salih became a journalist in 1949 after joining the Sudanese independence movement from Egypt.

He rose to prominence when he started covering the war in the western Sudan region of Darfur in 2003.

The Sudanese government forced him to close down his newspaper from November 2003 to January 2004 due to his reporting on the crisis in Darfur.

The Sudanese authorities said the closure was due to Al-Ayaam’s failure to pay taxes.

Mr Salih was also imprisoned several times for his coverage of the war.

In 2005 he received the Golden Pen of Freedom Award by the World Association of Newspapers.

Sumaya Elmatbagi, who worked as a reporter for Al-Ayyam newspaper for a number of years, mourned her former editor-in-chief in a moving post.

“You left us without saying goodbye – even to the homeland that you loved, struggled and fought for it all your life.

"You left without completing the story of your beloved city, Bahari, you left far from the land that you loved (Sudan).

“You are gone and the echoes of your voice still call us to the values of: freedom, peace, humanity and dignity. We mourn you. We will not forget your memory Mahjoub Mohamed Salih, father and friend of journalists."

BBC World Service

Image source, Reuters

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu is meeting state governors to discuss the crippling cost of living crisis.

One of Nigeria's most influential traditional rulers, the Sultan of Sokoto, said on Wednesday the country was at a tipping point, because of the increasing struggle many Nigerians faced in buying basic foods.

He called on President Tinubu to address the economic crisis sparked by his decision to cut fuel subsidies.

Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer, had for years underwritten the cost of petrol, but following his election last year, Mr Tinubu said the policy was unsustainable.

Higher transport costs have placed additional pressure on Nigerians and in recent weeks there have been protests over soaring food prices and the failure of wages to keep pace.

Unions have threatened strike action in the coming weeks.

Read more on this topic:

• Nigeria cost of living: People turn to 'throw-away' rice for food

Ashley Lime
BBC News, Nairobi

Image source, Ed Ram/Getty Images

Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has expressed interest in the powerful position of the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Local media reports indicate that Mr Odinga is lobbying other African leaders to evaluate his candidacy before he formally applies for the role.

"I am inclined to accept the challenge and I am ready and I offer myself to be of service. I have asked my friend (Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo) to continue to be a good ambassador and talk to other people," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Odinga served as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa between 2018 and February 2023, a tenure that ended due to controversy.

His candidature must be backed by President William Ruto's administration and this could effectively shift the political landscape in the country as Raila would not be permitted to join the 2027 presidential race.

For one to clinch the position, member states have to throw their weight behind that candidate.

According to the continental bloc, the chairperson of the AUC is the chief executive officer, the union's legal representative and accounting officer.

Africa Cup of Nations winners Ivory Coast climb 10 places in the Fifa world rankings, while runners-up Nigeria move up to 28th.

Image source, Getty Images

Kenya's former multiple world record holder, Henry Rono, has died at the age of 72.

The athlete succumbed to a short illness on Thursday morning at a hospital in the capital, Nairobi, Athletics Kenya announced in a statement.

He made history by breaking four world records in just 81 days in 1978. He ran world bests in 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m and 3000m steeplechase.

He went on to break his own world record for the 5000m in 1981.

Rono moved to the US in 1986 where he lived for over three decades before returning home in 2019.

This news comes at a time when Kenya and the world is still mourning the death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who was killed in a road accident last Sunday.

See Rono's last interview with the BBC.

Emery Makumeno
BBC News, Kinshasa

Two South African soldiers have been killed and three others injured after a mortar bomb hit one of their military bases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where its troops were sent to quell violence.

These are the first casualties since the South African army began deploying to DR Congo last December.

The attack happened in Sake, about 27km (16 miles) west of Goma.

"Details of this incident are still sketchy at the moment, further investigation will be conducted to determine the basis of the incident," the South African army said in a statement released on Twitter on Thursday., external

South Africa's military together with troops from Tanzania and Malawi are part of the Southern African mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC), which was deployed to assist the government to bring peace, security and stability in the restive east of the country.

Last Monday, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the deployment of 2,900 soldiers.

The deployment will cost South Africa 2bn Rand ($105m; £83m) and is set to last until December this year, a statement from the presidency said.

On the eve of the attack on the South African base, the M23 rebel group had called on Sake residents to carry on with their businesses and added that M23 was "coming to liberate them and protect them from those heavy artillery, drone and combat tanks that are continuously killing women, children and elderly persons".

DR Congo is yet to react to the M23 statement.

A recent resurgence of fighting in eastern DR Congo has displaced tens of thousands of people.

Image source, Rose Tata Wekesa/Instagram

A Kenyan teacher is currently attempting to set the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest science lesson taught by an individual.

Rose Tata Wekesa is aiming to teach for at least 50 hours.

She is a biology and chemistry teacher at St. Austin's Academy, an international school in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, but is undertaking the challenge at the Multimedia University of Kenya, about 16km (nine miles) from the city.

By 8:00 GMT on Thursday, Ms Wekesa had clocked just over 42 hours in the challenge.

She hopes to continue her attempt until Friday.

"I want to show the doable and interesting side of science. I want to motivate young ones in school who want to become teachers by showing a teacher can achieve greater things beyond the classroom," Ms Wekesa told the privately owned Citizen Digital news website, external ahead of the challenge last month.

She also mentioned that she had stayed awake for 44 consecutive hours to prepare her body for the challenge.

Image source, Getty Images

Malawi's former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has apologised for accepting a cash kickback from a company under corruption investigation.

In 2017, while still in power, the party was accused of receiving $85,000 (£68,000) from Pioneer Investment in a controversial food rations deal.

Former President Peter Mutharika was reportedly the sole signatory of the DPP account at the time.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party's spokesperson, Shadric Namalomba, said they refunded it "out of regret for receiving money which was tainted with these serious allegations”, external.

The Pioneer Investment's chief is currently facing corruption charges for allegedly inflating the amount of the contract with the Malawi Police Service to supply food rations.

Youth and Society (YAS), a rights group, filed a court case against the DPP and two other parties.

The DPP disassociated itself from any dealings with Pioneer Foods, saying it was a law-abiding political party.

In 2021, the government froze Mr Mutharika's bank accounts and arrested some of his party officials over corruption allegations.

Mr Mutharika has accused the current government of politically prosecuting him but the authorities have maintained that they are simply following the law.

In June 2020, Mr Mutharika lost his re-election bid to Lazarus Chakwera, an anti-corruption crusader.

The former president is reportedly planning a comeback in the 2025 general election.

Paul Njie
BBC News, Yaoundé

Cameroon’s military has been criticised by a rights group for delaying to deliver justice over the killing of at least 21 civilians by state forces.

The incident occurred in Ngarbuh, a village in the restive North-west region about four years ago.

In a statement on Wednesday Human Rights Watch (HRW) decried the prolonged trial of soldiers implicated in the killings since December 2020.

“Hearings have been postponed multiple times, victims’ families have minimal participation in the proceedings, and the court has refused to admit key evidence,“ Lewis Mudge, the HRW’s director for central Africa, said.

The trial has been marred by irregularities, the group added.

The Cameroonian government is yet to comment on the criticism made by Human Rights Watch.

In February 2020, soldiers and armed vigilante members stormed Ngarbuh village which they suspected was harbouring separatist fighters. The government initially denied its forces were responsible for killing civilians and torching homes.

Following international pressure, an investigation into the incident ordered by President Paul Biya showed the soldiers and their aides killed 13 people.

However, HRW said they had evidence of at least 21 deaths, including 13 children during the military raid.

Three soldiers were later arrested and charged with murder, and the case is still being heard by a military court.

But one of the lawyers representing families of the victims told the BBC his clients “are discouraged”, stating that there is “no will to serve justice in this case”.

Cameroonian forces have been accused of gross human rights violations in their battle against the Anglophone separatist fighters who are seeking independence from Cameroon. The secessionists have also come under fire for atrocities including kidnapping for ransom, torture, and killings.

The trial of the soldiers is due to resume on Thursday.

Read more on the killings of the Cameroon villagers:

• Children among 22 killed in attack on Cameroon village

Image source, Fikile Mbalula/X

Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera and a delegation from South Africa's ruling ANC party are among those attending a forum in Russia, which aims to create a body that will fight against neo-colonialism and the influence of the West.

The two countries are among Russia's closest allies in Africa.

South Africa's delegation has been led by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

The event is titled "Forum of Supporters of The Struggles Against Modern Practices Of Neo-colonialism – For The Freedom Of Nations".

It has been convened by the United Russia party, the country's largest political party, Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik reported.

The two-day event will also be attended by a delegation of North Korea's ruling party and other representatives from countries in the Global South that are perceived by Russia as "advocates of the fight against new manifestations of colonialism".

Nigeria's Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has said the country can no longer sustain the power subsidy.

Mr Adelabu said that subsidising the cost of electricity had resulted in the government owing a debt of 1.3 trillion naira ($857m; 682m) to power generating companies and an additional $1.3bn to gas companies, local media reported.

The minister added that Nigeria has allocated 450bn naira to electricity subsidies this year, but findings show that the subsidies could end up costing 2.9 trillion naira.

Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised Nigeria to remove the electricity subsidy in order to restore economic stability, but some Nigerians fear that the subsidy's withdrawal could worsen economic hardship.

The West African country is currently experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, with many struggling to survive.

In May last year, President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy, which had been in place for decades and kept the price of petroleum products low.

The move led to increases of up to 200% in fuel prices and had a knock-on effect on the economy, increasing the prices of food and other necessities.

Read more:

• Nigeria's fuel subsidy:How the new president has shocked the nation
• Nigeria cost of living: People turn to 'throw-away' rice for food