Africa highlights: African migrants 'not our enemies', Gambian army chief fired

The South African petrochemical giant Sasol has announced the discovery of oil off the coast of southern Mozambique.

The wells will be the first in Mozambique to produce oil in two or three years’ time, Stephen Cornell, one’s of Sasol’s joint chief executives, said.

Mr Cornell his company has drilled four of 12 planned wells, all of them with positive results, two of them for gas, and the other two for oil.

He said Sasol had discovered oil in Mozambique before but only as part of an appraisal of the field and that helped them know where to drill.

AFPCopyright: AFP

The Gambian President Adama Barrow has fired the head of the armed forces, Gen Ousman Badjie. 

Gen Badjie declared his loyalty to the former President Yahya Jammeh after December's disputed elections. 

However, he joined in dancing on the streets after Mr Barrow was sworn in as president while in exile in Senegal in January.

Then, under his command, the army did not offer any resistance when a West African regional force moved into The Gambia. 

The regional troops played a part in persuading Mr Jammeh to accept his electoral defeat and leave the country.

General Badjie has reportedly been replaced by his predecessor General Masanneh Kinteh.  

AFPCopyright: AFP

Today the president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, began a visit to Uganada to meet victims of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).

The Hague-based court is currently trying a former LRA commander, Dominic Ongwen.

And it still has a warrant out for the arrest of the infamous LRA leader Joseph Kony.

The group tends to operate in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic (CAR) after being driven out of northern Uganda several years ago.

But what is it like being under Kony’s command? 

One of his bodyguards, Peter Kidega, who recently surrendered to US and Ugandan forces in the CAR, told me about how he was forcibly recruited into the LRA and about the rebels' current operations:

Quote Message: The only thing the Lord’s Resistance Army does is get commodities from civilians' homes. They look for diamonds, gold, money and mercury from people here, in the Central African Republic. In the Congo they send people to hunt for elephant tusks – but nowadays Joseph Kony lives in Darfur and works with people there.”

The only thing the Lord’s Resistance Army does is get commodities from civilians' homes. They look for diamonds, gold, money and mercury from people here, in the Central African Republic. In the Congo they send people to hunt for elephant tusks – but nowadays Joseph Kony lives in Darfur and works with people there.”

The bodyguard spoke of the likelihood of the LRA leader surrendering:  

Quote Message: Joseph Kony will not see reason when it comes to this because he says he’s going to die in the bush until the Ugandan government changes. But who is supposed to take over the government if he himself says he's a rebel of the Ugandan people, he's going to fight for the development of Uganda, and yet he stays out of the country? What can he do where he is?"

Joseph Kony will not see reason when it comes to this because he says he’s going to die in the bush until the Ugandan government changes. But who is supposed to take over the government if he himself says he's a rebel of the Ugandan people, he's going to fight for the development of Uganda, and yet he stays out of the country? What can he do where he is?"

He also spoke about Mr Ongwen’s ICC case:

Quote Message: He should be forgiven because he was captured. But I don't think he will be, because of the role he played and because his conduct. Because he was a commander-in-chief there, he was giving orders to his troops. He took orders from his boss Joseph Kony and carried them out."

He should be forgiven because he was captured. But I don't think he will be, because of the role he played and because his conduct. Because he was a commander-in-chief there, he was giving orders to his troops. He took orders from his boss Joseph Kony and carried them out."

Mr Kidega lived with the LRA leader between 2014 and 2016:

Quote Message: I went to Joseph in 2014, at the time he said he loved me. In 2014 he loved me and was very nice to me. But in 2015, he changed his character. I handed myself in because Joseph Kony wanted to kill me for talking to his wife.

I went to Joseph in 2014, at the time he said he loved me. In 2014 he loved me and was very nice to me. But in 2015, he changed his character. I handed myself in because Joseph Kony wanted to kill me for talking to his wife.

Quote Message: He didn't want anyone to love his wife. Even if you just wanted to be friends with her, they would say you are a bad person.”

He didn't want anyone to love his wife. Even if you just wanted to be friends with her, they would say you are a bad person.”

The bodyguard said he had been in the group for 14 years before surrendering: 

Quote Message: Joseph kept on saying that we were going to fight to bring down the Ugandan government. That we would fight and then lead Uganda. And I kept on waiting for this to happen, I waited until this year. But all Joseph wants is to stay alive.”

Joseph kept on saying that we were going to fight to bring down the Ugandan government. That we would fight and then lead Uganda. And I kept on waiting for this to happen, I waited until this year. But all Joseph wants is to stay alive.”

Since Saidy Brown tweeted those words on Friday, thousands of people have re-shared her hopeful message, with many praising her courage for speaking publicly about her own experience with the virus. 

She has told the BBC about the extraordinary reaction to her post, why it took so long for her to be diagnosed and the challenges of dating for someone who is HIV-positive.  

Read: 'Why I shared my HIV status on Twitter'

BBCCopyright: BBC

A Mozambican government official has dismissed allegations by Tanzanian citizens that they had been assaulted by security forces as they left the country amid a crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Abdul Chuguro, who heads the forestry department in the north-western Cabo Delgado province, told the BBC that the allegations are "unfounded". 

However, he said that Tanzanians and people of other nationalities, including Mozambicans, were being forced to abandon the illegal mining of rubies in the province's Montepuez district. 

He said the only goods seized from Tanzanians during the operation were 22 vehicles, which had forged documents, including number plates and vehicle registration books. 

He also said the allegation that a woman had been raped by two policemen was found to be untrue by health authorities who had examined the alleged victim.

Mr Chuguro said most of Tanzanians relied on illegal mining and did not have resources for survival or to pay transportation to return home.  

He said most of the of them were put on buses to the border.

See earlier report: Ruby deportations: Mozambique police crackdown 

Satirist Ikenna Azuike is back… this time in Kenya. Catch him every Wednesday and Friday on BBC World News:

AFPCopyright: AFP

Poaching of rhinos in South Africa fell by 10%, according to a statement by the environment ministry.

The decline marks the second year in a row that killings of the endangered species have declined, but conservationists still warn that levels remain high. 

Poaching registered a record high in 2014 when 1,215 were killed to feed the demand of Asian countries such as Vietnam, where the animal's horn is prized as a key ingredient in traditional medicines, compared to 1,054 killed in 2016. 

The success was attributed to vigilance of park wardens: 

Quote Message: This decrease can be attributed to the efforts of our men and women on the ground, especially our rangers."

This decrease can be attributed to the efforts of our men and women on the ground, especially our rangers."

South Africa has more than 80% of the world's rhino population with about 18,000 white rhinos and close to 2,000 black rhinos, which is why it has been at the front line of the  poaching crisis. 

In the Kruger National Park, the epicentre of the slaughter, 662 rhino carcasses were found dead in 2016, an almost 20% fall from 826 in 2015, the statement adds.   

In northern Cameroon, where attacks by Boko Haram killed more than 1,500 people since 2011, vigilantes have been at the forefront of the fight against the Nigerian-based Islamist militant group, the AFP news agency reports. 

The vigilante groups are made of civilians who have voluntarily taken up arms to back up the government in its efforts to drive Boko Haram from the country. 

They are mainly active in the northern city of Kolofata, where they have erected five checkpoints to monitor movements into town - day and night.

Kolofata made headlines in July 2014 when more than 100 Boko Haram fighters from the neighbouring Nigerian town of Kerawa launched an attack and abducted the wife of a Cameroon's deputy prime minister. 

Kassala Mahamat, a vigilante group leader, told AFP: 

Quote Message: We search all those arriving here from Kerawa. If we identify a suicide bomber who intends to proceed, we shoot at him."

We search all those arriving here from Kerawa. If we identify a suicide bomber who intends to proceed, we shoot at him."

Mr Mahamat says vigilante groups prevented several suicide attacks and ensured a low number of casualties when Boko Haram succeeded occasionally in striking. 

AFPCopyright: AFP

BohemiansCopyright: Bohemians

Togolese striker Francis Kone saved the life of goalkeeper Martin Berkovec, who nearly swallowed his tongue during a Czech league match.

Bohemians 1905's Kone acted fast after Berkovec had collided with his Slovacko team-mate Daniel Krch.

He used his fingers to move Berkovec's tongue and stop him suffocating.

Berkovec later thanked Kone on Facebook for his quick action:

We reported earlier that a fire had broke out at Bakara market in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, which has since been contained. 

We now have access to pictures from the scene showing how far it spread and how traders desperately tried to salvage their wares: 

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

A team comprising of players from Kenya's football league will tonight play an exhibition match against English Premier League side Hull City.

The match is being facilitated by SportPesa, a Kenyan betting company, which won the rights to sponsor the English team for the next three years. 

A team of 18 Kenyan players have been in the northern English city since last week learning different aspects of professional football.

On Sunday they were the club's guests at their home game against Burnley which ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Ahead of the match I caught up with the Kenyan national team coach Stanley Okumbi who said so far the trip had been great for the players:

"Players have benefited a lot from the training and have been equipped with a lot of information that they will use in future and in the game against Hull City."  

BBCCopyright: BBC

Mr Okumbi said watching the premier league game on Saturday was a "massive experience" for him and his players "because if we adopt what we saw it will take our Kenyan premier league forward."

Among the 18 players is a 16 year-old footballer, Joshua Otieno who plays for Sony Sugar FC in the Kenyan premier league.

He said tonight's game is an opportunity of a lifetime:

Quote Message: It's a good exposure and there are scouts here. You don't know what will happen after the match. My dream is to play for a premier league club... my dream club is Chelsea, I like their style of play."

It's a good exposure and there are scouts here. You don't know what will happen after the match. My dream is to play for a premier league club... my dream club is Chelsea, I like their style of play."

The match kicks off at 18:30 GMT UK time at the KCOM Stadium in Hull. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

BBCCopyright: BBC

Fifa president Giani Infantino says Africa will get more than seven slots in the expanded edition of the World Cup in 2026.

Mr Infantino, who is on a one-day official visit to Ghana, made the announcement in a briefing with journalists in the capital Accra:

Quote Message: African representation will definitely be more than seven. Now the precise number we are still working it out."

African representation will definitely be more than seven. Now the precise number we are still working it out."

He said Fifa had increased its investment in African football from $27m ( £21m) to $94m a year to help develop the sport.

He also said the world football federation had increased Africa's membership of the federation's council from four to seven representatives.

Mr Infantino also met President Nano Akufo-Addo and executives of the Ghana Football Association to discuss how to develop football in the country.

Morocco's decision to withdraw its troops from a UN buffer zone in the disputed Western Sahara territory (see earlier post) does not signify a major change in the kingdom's policy.

It will still work towards ensuring international recognition of its claim over Western Sahara. 

The announcement does, however, indicate a willingness to work with the United Nations, and in particular the new Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

Mr Guterres' predecessor, Ban Ki-moon, infuriated Rabat by describing Morocco's annexation of Western Sahara as an "occupation" - a remark he later apologised for.

Morocco is rolling out a renewed campaign on Western Sahara - including joining the African Union, and King Mohammed VI making several trips to African countries.

The military withdrawal is also presumably intended to signal a willingness to compromise.

But the Polisario Front and its supporters will want to know whether that extends to giving the Sahrawi people the referendum on their future which has been delayed for so many years.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has been inaugurated as chancellor of the University of South Africa (Unisa)

The university, Africa’s biggest and one of the largest distance education institutions in the world, said the decision was influenced by his outstanding leadership credentials.

During the ceremony, attended by current and former ministers, Mr Mbeki used his inaugural speech to condemn the violence seen during the university protests, dubbed “FeesMustFall” after the Twitter hashtag, and other protests for better services.  

Quote Message: We must denounce the notion of burning a clinic because we demand better health care."

We must denounce the notion of burning a clinic because we demand better health care."

At a press conference afterwards he also condemned the recent xenophobic attacks on migrants.    

Quote Message: As South Africans, we should never forget the enormous sacrifices that were made by the people of Africa to help us achieve our liberation.

As South Africans, we should never forget the enormous sacrifices that were made by the people of Africa to help us achieve our liberation.

Quote Message: We cannot now behave in a manner that treats other Africans, who are now residents in our country, as enemies or unwelcomed guests."

We cannot now behave in a manner that treats other Africans, who are now residents in our country, as enemies or unwelcomed guests."

Mr Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s second democratically elected president in 1999 and stepped down in 2008, after nearly two terms.

The 74-year-old was the founding chairman of the African Union and established the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), aimed at making the continent less reliant on foreign aid and developing trade.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Traders in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, are counting their losses following a huge fire that destroyed parts of the country’s biggest open-air market this morning.

The fire at Bakara market burnt for more than five hours before it was contained.

It broke out at around 04:00 local time, but it was not until daybreak that a combined force of local authorities, residents and some private firms with their own standby fire engines began battling it.

According to residents, the inferno started at a section famous for household goods and quickly spread to other parts.

Although no official estimate was immediately given, it is expected the losses will run into the millions of dollars.

One of the traders told the BBC he lost his clothing shop:

Quote Message: I only managed to salvage very few things, and I am not alone in this loss. It’s coming at a time when the country is dealing with a devastating drought."

I only managed to salvage very few things, and I am not alone in this loss. It’s coming at a time when the country is dealing with a devastating drought."

There is not sufficient firefighting equipment in the city, which has been affected by more than half a century of war.

Ali Hussein Ibrahim, chairman of Mogadishu’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told the BBC that it was difficult to know the cause of the fire.

Quote Message: We have so many challenges in the market. For example people sometimes leave behind charcoal stoves unattended, also the cause could be electric fault which are not regulated, so it’s difficult for now to say what caused the fire, but we are investigating."

We have so many challenges in the market. For example people sometimes leave behind charcoal stoves unattended, also the cause could be electric fault which are not regulated, so it’s difficult for now to say what caused the fire, but we are investigating."

It is not the first time the market has caught fire, and some observers say it may not be the last, given the poor infrastructure.

EPACopyright: EPA

Police in South Africa's largest city of Johannesburg say that about 100 people took part in looting incidents overnight, Reuters news agency reports.

Shops in Jeppestown area belonging to foreigners were attacked forcing owners to barricade themselves in for safety, one witness said.

Doors and windows were smashed, food and other items were strewn on the floor in stores believed to belong to immigrants, Reuters adds. 

Abdul Ebrahim, a Somali shopkeeper who was hiding in his shop with others, said he did not know why the mob had targeted him: 

Quote Message: We've been stuck inside here until the police came... no-one told us what they were looking for."

We've been stuck inside here until the police came... no-one told us what they were looking for."

Police spokesman Mathapelo Peters said that at least one person has been arrested and that the investigations were ongoing.

South Africa has been facing renewed attacks and protests against foreigners with a group holding an anti-foreigner march last week in the capital, Pretoria.

The attacks have been condemned widely on the continent with a Nigerian government official calling for the African Union to intervene. 

President Jacob Zuma has assured foreigners that their rights would be protected if they lived and worked according to the laws of the country and denied charges that South Africans were xenophobic.

The Tanzanian government shall not be publishing a list of suspected homosexuals today.

Dr Hamisi Kigwangalla, the deputy health minister, has been behind the move, saying those who advertised homosexual activities online would be targeted and arrested. 

He tweeted this morning:

It is not clear what the technical reasons were.

Three hours later he confirmed to his Twitter followers that the list existed and the authorities intended to make it public.

But he then tweeted that in order to prevent people from “getting rid of evidence”, their strategy had changed and the public would be informed how the health ministry would proceed in due course.

Homosexual acts are illegal in the East African nation and punishable by up to 30 years in jail.

AFPCopyright: AFP

Morocco is to pull out of a UN buffer zone in the disputed Western Sahara territory, an official statement says.

The country says the former Spanish colony is part of its territory, while the Polisario independence movement wants a vote on its self-determination.

Tension in the area flared up a year ago when Morocco moved into the buffer zone, breaching a UN-backed ceasefire.

Morocco recently rejoined the African Union, which it had left over the body's recognition of Western Sahara.

The decision to withdraw from the Guerguerat zone is said to have been taken in person by the Moroccan King Mohammed VI.

The move came after the sovereign spoke on the phone with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who asked him to pull out his troops.

Read the BBC News story for more

Jerry Michael, Pride FM MTWARACopyright: Jerry Michael, Pride FM MTWARA

More than 5,000 Tanzanians and dozens of other foreigners have fled Mozambique amidst a government crackdown on what it calls "illegal" immigrants residing in the northern mining town of Montepuez, famous for its rubies.

Migrant workers have been drawn to the town, which is 800km (500 miles) from the Tanzanian border, to work in the mines thought to hold 40% of the world's known supply of rubies.

Two weeks ago, local authorities issued a five-day ultimatum for all foreigners regarded as illegals to vacate the area.

Those arriving at the border post at Kilamba village in Tanzania say the ongoing crackdown has been dominated by police brutality alleging their property was stolen, passports destroyed and even women being raped. 

Other nationalities affected are Somali and Senegalese. 

The returnees recounted tales of brutality that was meted on them by the security forces. One man said:

Quote Message: “I was sleeping in my shop when all of a sudden the door was broken then police officers entered and they started beating me. Luckily I got a chance to escape and fled to the forest. When I came back I found they’ve taken all of my stuff."

“I was sleeping in my shop when all of a sudden the door was broken then police officers entered and they started beating me. Luckily I got a chance to escape and fled to the forest. When I came back I found they’ve taken all of my stuff."

Dotto Michael told me he and some other immigrants were to be officially deported in buses:

Quote Message: “We were about to board a bus which was offered for free but the police decided to charge us. So when the bus was about to leave, this young man wanted to climb in without paying - and he didn’t have money at all, in fact he hadn’t even eaten for almost three days – so the police pushed him over and when he fell on the ground, the bus ran over him and he died instantly.”

“We were about to board a bus which was offered for free but the police decided to charge us. So when the bus was about to leave, this young man wanted to climb in without paying - and he didn’t have money at all, in fact he hadn’t even eaten for almost three days – so the police pushed him over and when he fell on the ground, the bus ran over him and he died instantly.”

Emilia Jose, a Mozambican woman, married to a Tanzanian, told me she witnessed her friend being raped by the police in front of her children after they took the little money she had. 

Quote Message: They told her, 'Give us money or else we’ll kill you!’ One of the policemen said, ‘Let's not kill her, let's rape her.’. Then they started raping her - not one policeman, but two of them."

They told her, 'Give us money or else we’ll kill you!’ One of the policemen said, ‘Let's not kill her, let's rape her.’. Then they started raping her - not one policeman, but two of them."

We tried to get a response from the Mozambican authorities about these allegations, but they were not available for comment. 

Watch: Mozambique's lucrative ruby mines