Russia’s foreign minister is coming off a barnstorming tour of the African continent, which included Mali, where coup leaders have kicked out the French and replaced them with Wagner mercenaries. The same scenario has already unfolded in the Central African Republic, and Mali’s neighbor Burkina Faso could be next to welcome the Russians.

Pretoria's Western allies are upset by South Africa hosting upcoming joint naval exercises with Russia and China. Historical ties between Moscow and the ruling ANC may explain President Ramaphosa's stance.

South Africa has begun military exercises with both China and Russia as part of a routine army drill. The joint training has drawn immense criticism from the West, coming nearly one year on from the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A Russian ship loaded with hypersonic missiles will take part in joint naval drills with China off South Africa's eastern coast this week. But a Russian commander denied there were plans to fire the weapons.

Ahead of a trip to Africa, French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined plans for a "noticeable reduction" in France's troop presence on the continent. France also intends to co-run African bases with African countries.

South Africa captivated a home crowd with their run to the Women's T20 World Cup final. With women's cricket on the rise around the world, the time is now for Cricket South Africa to finally get on board.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the withdrawal of more French soldiers from Africa as he begins a five-day trip to the region.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has accused China of obstructing US efforts to find the cause of the coronavirus pandemic. He said his agency believes COVID-19 spread due to a lab accident in the city of Wuhan.

At the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, or FESPACO, African cinema has freed itself from Western models, with women leading the way.

Videos circulating on social media have been sent to FRANCE 24, claiming "plastic rice" was being manufactured in Asia for consumption in Africa. These videos echo many others that surfaced online in 2017, causing misinformation and panic in African countries. What's true and what's fake? We take a look in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.

In tonight's edition: Nigeria's ruling APC party stays in control after Bola Tinubu is named winner of the presidential election. Also, French President Emmanuel Macron touches down in Gabon at the start of a central African tour. And we meet one of Senegal's e-sporting stars: Dexx Junior is hoping to wipe the floor with his rivals in competitive video gaming tournaments.

US officials are divided over the origins of the 2019 coronavirus but some still think it escaped from a Chinese lab. China denies the lab leak theory.