Mogadishu attacks among deadliest in recent memory

Police in the capital, Mogadishu, fired at the attacker as he broke through a checkpoint, allowing civilians to escape before the explosion.

Islamist jihadis in the unstable region have killed thousands of soldiers. French President Emmanuel Macron is thought to want support for a troop drawdown amid rising numbers of French combat deaths.

In this edition: clashes break out in Mogadishu at a protest organised by the opposition. Residents reported hearing sporadic gunfire and grenades being fired in the capital. Our regional correspondent Mukelwa Hlatshwayo brings us the latest. Also, voters in Niger are gearing up for Sunday's presidential run-off between Mohamed Bazoum and Mahamane Ousmane. The fight against insecurity will be a major challenge for the next president. And camel milk is becoming increasingly popular in Kenya. We meet farmers taking advantage of the lucrative drink.

Asha Mohammed is a taxi driver in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu. In a country which the UN classifies as one of the most difficult for women, her courageous career choice is breaking stereotypes. N°93L89XN°93Q22N

Police suspect a suicide bomber blew up a car outside a popular restaurant in the capital city. Victims were still reportedly being pulled from the rubble through the evening.

Many Somali women have limited chances to find earn an income for themselves. But a series of worskshops in the capital Mogadishu is slowly changing that.

A dispute between Kenya and Somalia over an oil- and gas-rich area in the Indian Ocean is unlikely to spark an armed conflict. But it may have ramifications for fishing communities, as well as the wider region.

The Islamist group detonated car bombs before launching nighttime raids at two locations in southern Somalia.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has seen an increase in terror attacks, mainly in the north and east of the country. So-called Western education has become the target of jihadist groups. Students and teachers are regularly intimidated, with some even raped or killed. Amid the threat, more than 2,000 schools have closed, preventing more than 300,000 pupils from getting an education, according to the Ministry of Education. On the ground and in IDP camps, NGOs and unions are trying to provide psychological support to traumatised teachers and children. Our correspondents report.

The United States and European Union say Somalia risks facing sanctions if it fails to resume talks to end its deadlock over elections. But President Mohamed has extended his mandate despite the international criticism.

Sporadic clashes broke out in the Somalian capital as tensions continue after embattled President Mohamed extended his mandate last week sparking a political crisis.

Mutinous Somali soldiers hold parts of Mogadishu a day after three were killed in fatal clashes with government troops. The opposition fighters are against the extension of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's mandate. And in Ivory Coast, health centres are struggling to convince people to get vaccinated, the suspicion many African communities harbour over the shots are even leading some countries to have to destroy out-of-date Covid-19 vaccine doses. And South Africa's “My Octopus Teacher” wins best documentary at the Oscars.