Africa highlights: Mugabe 'must die in office', LRA abductions in CAR 'increase'

A spokesman for South Sudan's army has warned the African Union (AU) not to send peacekeepers without the approval of the government. 

Lul Ruai Koang said that "any deployment of a foreign force that is not authorized by the political leadership is going to be resisted", the Associated Press news agency reports.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Hundreds of people rallied in the capital, Juba, to protest against the AU's plan to send troops with a "robust mandate" to end conflict between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, Riek Machar. 

Mr Kiir is opposed to the plan and AP quotes protest organiser Ajongo Ajongo as saying: 

Quote Message: If the international community continues to bring in all their alleged military in South Sudan, we will fight them whether they come by air or by road

If the international community continues to bring in all their alleged military in South Sudan, we will fight them whether they come by air or by road

Quote Message: We will be malicious. South Sudan will become an even worse place than Afghanistan. Let the peace come from us. Don't impose things on us. It will be regrettable."

We will be malicious. South Sudan will become an even worse place than Afghanistan. Let the peace come from us. Don't impose things on us. It will be regrettable."

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

The march in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, must have been a huge psychological boost for President Robert who is facing growing calls to resign as the economic crisis in the southern African state worsens. 

The 92-year-old Mr Mugabe was not in attendance, but the ruling Zanu-PF party's youth wing - which organised the march - announced that he had donated 1,000 hectares of residential stands for the building of homes. 

Youth leader Kudzai Chipanga said that by the 2018 election, young people would own homes and be landlords, not lodgers. 

Talk of the 2018 election was a dominant theme at the rally, with supporters of Mr Mugabe calling on Zimbabweans to unite behind him. 

One man at the rally told me:

Quote Message: Mr Mugabe is my hero. We are happy with his leadership."

Mr Mugabe is my hero. We are happy with his leadership."

This is not the view of many other Zimbabweans who point out that the country is facing such a severe financial and economic crisis that civil servants aren't even paid on time.

They question whether solidarity marches are enough to save Mr Mugabe - and the country.

They say Zimbabwe needs solutions - and quickly.

See earlier posts for more details

With almost 37 million people living with Aids globally, the BBC looks at the key facts about the epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, the region worst affected. 

AFPCopyright: AFP

Benghazi, the birthplace of the 2011 revolution, has been at war for two years. During this time Gen Khalifa Haftar, head of the armed forces backed by Libya's eastern administration, has sought to oust a mix of mainly Islamist militias, including those with IS affiliations, from the city.

In recent months, his fighters have made significant gains, which analysts suspect are largely thanks to logistical support from the French special forces operating there.

Some members of the various militias they are fighting have recently regrouped, now calling themselves the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB).  

AFPCopyright: AFP

A social media news account affiliated to the BDB has reported that the group was responsible for shooting down the French helicopter. Whatever their affiliations, they show the conflict is a long way from being resolved.

Foreign special forces from a number of countries have been operating in or over Libya for quite some time now, but the nature and extent of these operations have largely been secretive.  

The death of the French soldiers is likely to trigger hard questions for Western nations getting entangled in a war with multiple and complex dimension.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

The most feared of animals. Now one of the most vulnerable.

The South African white shark faces extinction with new research conducted over six years along the country’s shoreline showing that its population was between 353 and 522, half the level previously thought.

University of Stellenbosch researcher Sara Andreotti, who spearhaded what is the largest study in South African waters to create the first ever database of the shark population, said that if  "we don't do something drastic now, legislation wise and management wise, we risk losing this iconic predator”. The impact of nets and baited hooks used by fishing vessels on the eastern seaboard of South Africa are among the reasons for the dwindling shark population.  Other contributing factors are poaching, pollution and over-fishing depriving them of their food sources.

The researchers hope that the study could be replicated on an international scale - that white sharks will be more closely monitored and better protection measures will be put in place. 

If not, they warn that the king of the ocean will be on the brink of extinction.

FacebookCopyright: Facebook

African-American man starts fundraising petition in response to racist comments.

This is the phrase being used by a crowdfunding campaign, currently going viral, which is being seen as a unique response to racism.

 The campaign seems to take racists at face value, and asks for donations in order for its black founder to be able to go "back to Africa."

Larry Mitchell, an African-American man from Kokomo, Indiana, started the clearly ironic GoFundMe petition, and has had his page shared more than 30,000 times on various social media platforms. In the blurb for the petition Mitchell wrote:

Quote Message: "If you want me to go back to Africa I will gladly go… you can help make your dream and mine come true… accepting all donations. KKK, Skin Heads and anyone else with like mind thinking are welcome to donate… Thank you.. God bless you and America… #putyourmoneywhereyourhateis."

"If you want me to go back to Africa I will gladly go… you can help make your dream and mine come true… accepting all donations. KKK, Skin Heads and anyone else with like mind thinking are welcome to donate… Thank you.. God bless you and America… #putyourmoneywhereyourhateis."

  Read the full story on BBC Trending

'Send me back to Africa' - a unique response to racism

African-American man starts fundraising petition in response to racist comments.

Read more

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

South Africa’s Louis Meintjes has moved up to 10th place overall in the ongoing Tour de France after today’s 17th stage that covered 184.5 Kilometres. 

He is now 6 minutes 07 seconds behind the overall leader Kenyan-born Chris Froome with four stages left of this year’s race. 

Meintjes who races for the Italian team Lampre-Merida. He finished 15 on today’s stage and despite moving up the overall standings he lost 11 seconds to Britain’s Adam Yates in the race for the White Jersey for the best under-25 rider – Mientjes is still second to Yates but is now 3 minutes 14 seconds behind. 

The race finishes on Sunday in Paris and Meintjes set to the highest placed African ever on the Tour.

AFPCopyright: AFP

Zimbabwe's churches have issued a hard-hitting statement against the government, saying citizens have lost confidence in it. 

Six groups - including the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Council of Churches, which includes Anglican clerics -  called on the government to address the grievances of people rather than arresting and "demonising" clerics. 

In a joint statement, they said the government should enter into all-inclusive talks to hammer out solutions for the following problems:

• The unemployment rate of "more than 80%"
• The $15bn diamond revenue reported to be missing
•  Moves to impose bond notes despite "clear resistance" from the business sector and citizens  
• "Loss of trust" in the government's ability to pay civil servants
• The "collapse" of state-owned firms caused by "rampant and high levels of unaccountability and impunity"
• "Lack of consultation" over the National School Pledge, leading to "resistance and constitutional challenges" from citizens
• Restriction of imports, thus "crippling" cross-border trade and "destroying livelihoods of thousands" and
• "Unnecessary" police roadblocks.  

See our earlier posts for more details

Tunisia's security forces have dismantled a cell linked to the militant Islamic State group that was planning attacks against sites in the coastal town of Sousse, the interior ministry has said. 

In one village in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa, every household has been affected by HIV.

As South Africa hosts a major HIV-Aids conference, the BBC's Karen Allen has been to one of the country's HIV hot spots in KwaZulu-Natal province.

We reported earlier that Kenyan students have been burning their schools because they want extended holidays. 

The BBC's Muliro Telewa has been visiting schools in Kisii county in western Kenya, which has been mostly affected by the recent fire incidents. 

He has sent us images of the aftermath of the fires:

BBCCopyright: BBC

BBCCopyright: BBC

BBCCopyright: BBC

BBCCopyright: BBC

AFPCopyright: AFP

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, 92, will die in office, the youth leader of the ruling Zanu-PF party has said. 

Kudzai Chipanga made the comments while addressing about 5,000 people at a rally in the capital, Harare, in what appeared to be an attempt to counter opposition-organised protests. 

He said:

Quote Message: Mr Mugabe will die in office. It was written in the Bible that he won't just rule the country, but would die in office."

Mr Mugabe will die in office. It was written in the Bible that he won't just rule the country, but would die in office."

BBCCopyright: BBC

Not surprisingly, #ThisFlag campaigner Pastor Evan Mawarire incurred the wrath of Mr Chipanga who said: 

Quote Message: Nowhere is it written that pastors would rule this country. Let me warn you - these protests must stop forthwith.

Nowhere is it written that pastors would rule this country. Let me warn you - these protests must stop forthwith.

Quote Message: We, as Zanu-PF, we reacted to colonialism in 1980 and won. We are still in charge and nothing is going to change."

We, as Zanu-PF, we reacted to colonialism in 1980 and won. We are still in charge and nothing is going to change."

Several African community organisations working on HIV-Aids projects have been named winners of the UNAids' Red Ribbon Award. 

The award, given every two years, to groups which have made a positive impact in reducing the spread and impact of Aids. 

The winning organisations are from Burundi, Kenya and Nigeria.

They were presented with their prizes in a special session at the global Aids summit in Durban, South Africa. 

The head of UNAids, Michael Sidibe, acknowledged the organisations for helping end or reduce the impact of the epidemic:

Quote Message: Across regions and cultures, communities are showing the world that ending Aids is possible. Their courage, innovation and leadership is helping us overcome barriers and better respond to the needs of those most affected by the epidemic.”

Across regions and cultures, communities are showing the world that ending Aids is possible. Their courage, innovation and leadership is helping us overcome barriers and better respond to the needs of those most affected by the epidemic.”

UNAIDSCopyright: UNAIDS

The BBC's Tulanana Bohela has been visiting a child rescue centre in Tanzania's main city of Dar es Salaam. 

The centre provides shelter to children who have been exploited for their labour.

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According to the latest report by the country's statistics office, child labour has been decreasing in the last 10 years. But not by very much and it's still a big issue. 

Of the 15 million children between the ages of five and 17, 4.2 million Tanzanian children are in work.

The sectors that continue to use children are agriculture, forestry and fishing. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

AFPCopyright: AFP

A court in South Africa has blocked the public broadcaster from implementing its controversial decision  to stop showing images of violent protests on its television stations and news site.

The Helen Suzman Foundation brought the case against the SABC, accusing it of censorship. 

The broadcaster said it took the decision to avoid inciting violence. 

South Africa has been hit by a wave of protests ahead of local government elections next month. 

The governing ANC is facing its biggest challenge from the opposition in South Africa's cities - including Johannesburg and Pretoria. 

A BBC reporter has been tweeting about the court order: 

See earlier post for more details. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

Thousands of youth are rallying at the headquarters of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party in the capital, Harare. 

The reason? To protest against stay aways organised by the opposition.

Addressing the crowd, Zanu-PF youth leader Kudzai Chipanga said that President Robert Mugabe had responded to pleas for homes by allocating 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of land for housing projects. 

See earlier post for more details

We spotted this Instagram post by marieeveassuncaodenis "I saw an electric car in Nairobi!" and asked our reporter in Kenya's capital to check it out.    

The BBC's Ruth Nesoba in Nairobi has just spoken to the team leader at Knights Energy, the company promoting the car in Kenya. 

He says it's a Nissan brand, costing $10,000 (£7,600) and is simple to drive, has zero emissions and very cheap on maintenance. 

Only five people in Kenya have the car.

It is 100% electric, has electric chargers and is also solar powered. 

The company has invited our reporter for a test drive tomorrow. Be sure to check in for the pictures. 

Supporters of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party are rallying in the capital, Harare, in a show of solidarity with President Robert Mugabe. 

A foreign correspondent is tweeting from there: 

Yesterday, the 92-year-old president who has been in power since 1980 lambasted Pastor Evan Mawarire, who is behind the #ThisFlag social media campaign accusing him of mismanaging the economy and demanding his resignation. 

The pastor backed a stay-at-home strike earlier this month, one of the largest anti-government protests in years.

Read: From preacher to 'Captain Zimbabwe'

BBCCopyright: BBC

The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group kidnapped 344 people in the Central African Republic (CAR) in the first six months of the year, the highest mid-year figure since 2010, a campaign group has said. 

The increase in violence comes as Uganda is considering withdrawing its troops from a regional force hunting down LRA commanders, including its leader Joseph Kony.   

The LRA began in Uganda, but now mainly operates in the CAR and Democratic Republic of Congo. 

In a statement, LRA Crisis Tracker said that of the 344 people abducted in CAR, 65 were children - 39 of whom remained in captivity or were still unaccounted for.

It added: 

Quote Message: Many of the children were abducted on direct orders given by Kony in late 2015, according to LRA fighters who defected this year.

Many of the children were abducted on direct orders given by Kony in late 2015, according to LRA fighters who defected this year.

Quote Message: Several others were abducted by an LRA splinter group led by veteran commander Achaye Doctor, which reportedly operates independently of Kony."

Several others were abducted by an LRA splinter group led by veteran commander Achaye Doctor, which reportedly operates independently of Kony."

Mr Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges.

The LRA is notorious  for using child soldiers, and sex slaves.       

Last month, Uganda said it planned to withdraw from the regional force as the LRA's military capabilities had been significantly degraded. 

The US also has special forces in the research to searching for LRA commanders.  

Read: My family's curse