Covid: South Africa’s president calls for lifting of Omicron travel bans

Cyril Ramaphosa says the action by countries including the UK and US is discriminatory and unnecessary.

Great Carnival of Dakar: Fire-eaters and dancers mark event

The three-day event is a celebration of Senegalese culture and features an elaborate parade.

Omicron symptoms mild so far, says South African doctor who spotted it

The South African doctor who first spotted the new variant says patients are showing very mild symptoms so far.

Nigerian celebrities Simi and Chigul expose sexism in music and Nollywood

Singer Simi and Nollywood's Chigul tell the BBC about the cultural hurdles female stars face.

Burkina Faso: Tear gas fired at protesters decrying Islamist attacks

The protest comes amid fear of an Islamist encroachment following a number of recent attacks.

Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Zimbabwe tournament involving Ireland abandoned amid new Covid-19 variant

The Women's World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which involved Ireland, is abandoned after the detection of a new Covid-19 variant.

Covid: South Africa ‘punished’ for detecting new Omicron variant

South Africa should be praised for discovering Omicron, not hit with travel bans, its officials say.

Kenya tree felling sparks anger over Nairobi’s new highway

Some 4,000 young and mature trees face being cut down to make way for a Chinese-financed project.

Nick Mwendwa: Football Kenya Federation president re-arrested

The president of Football Kenya Federation Nick Mwendwa is re-arrested a day after a case against him was closed.

Coronavirus: Pride and punishment follows South Africa’s discovery

South Africans feel they are paying the price for their ability to monitor new Covid variants.