Senegalese soldiers have taken control of several hectares of cannabis fields after a successful mission to capture rebel bases in the southern Casamance region. Troops deployed in the region supported by forces from neighbouring Guinea-Bissau, as fighting flared up in a long-dormant independence conflict.

Zamfara Abduction: Air, ground troops to be deployed to the forest - Police

Zimbabwe's Vice President Kembo Mohadi resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations. Local news outlets have been notified of phone recordings allegedly of Mohadi soliciting sex from women, including a subordinate in his office. Meanwhile in Nigeria, families face an anxious wait ahead as Zamfara state officials say they are negotiating with the kidnappers of 317 schoolgirls. And rights activists in Morocco are encouraging women to talk to organisations to break the silence and raise awareness about sexual violence and domestic abuse in the country.

South Africa's COVID-19 infection rates have remained low in the run-up to Easter, but fears of a third wave are mounting. Meanwhile, Africa's top health official has sounded alarm bells over a new Tanzanian variant.

Buyers and sellers gather on the trading floor in Zimbabwe's capital to bid on bales of dried tobacco leaves as the marketing season kicks off. According to the industry regulator, the country is on track to produce 200,000 tonnes of tobacco this year, up from 184,000 in 2020.

Zimbabwean street vendor Spiwe Tembo illegally sells bread buns in the capital Harare to feed her three children... and gets arrested again and again. The government banned street vendors as part of restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But Tembo, and many others like her, have no other way to survive.

Several Greek villages have been evacuated as firefighters battle the country's first major blaze of the year on a mountain range overlooking the Gulf of Corinth. Six villages and two monasteries were evacuated after the fire broke out near the village of Schinos, some 90 kilometres (56 miles) west of Athens.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Monday. these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Monday. ⁣

A huge forest blaze in Cyprus has killed four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuations of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries deployed fire-fighting planes to the Mediterranean island.

President Nicos Anastasiades has described the blaze as "an unprecedented tragedy." Firefighters are worried that the wind could fan the flames, making the fire worse.

A total of 141 firefighters have been mobilised to contain a forest blaze at the base of Mount Penteli north of Athens. The fire service are backed by 10 helicopters and eight firefighting planes, but said strong winds were complicating operations.

Strong winds are hampering firefighters' efforts. Alerts have been sent to residents warning them to "be ready to follow instructions."