Cameroon, Benin react as draw helps both to last 16

In Bamenda, the Nkwen Festival of Heritage, Arts and Culture is celebrated to restore tradition and culture. It is a rare moment of joy for people stuck in a conflict zone.

The Indomitable Lions become the first team to qualify for the knockout round as Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko-Ekambi score two goals each to beat Ethiopia 4-1 in Yaoundé. Meanwhile a 1-0 victory for Burkina Faso against Cape Verde leaves Group A wide open ahead of the final round of group stage games.

Child trafficking is often described as modern day slavery. despite legal and social measures aimed at combating the practice, it remains rife in a number of west african countries.

The Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon has been filled with drama but not that many onlookers. The government is aiming to try and fill up empty stadiums as supporters prefer fan zones. But first, one protester is killed in Sudan as two top US diplomats arrive in the country to try to speak to all sides involved in the deepening crisis. And in a major step for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, South Africa has opened a new vaccine plant, the first on the continent to cover the entire process from start to finish.

At least 16 people have died in a fire at a disco in an upmarket district of Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, the government says. The disaster comes as the country hosts the AFCON football tournament.

At least eight fans dead after a stampede at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium in Cameroon before the host nation's round of 16 game in the Africa Cup of Nations against Comoros, the national broadcaster reports.

Hosts Cameroon overcame a resilient, goalkeeperless Comoros team 2-1 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. But the result was overshadowed by events which took place outside the stadium in Yaoundé, where a stampede tragically claimed at least eight lives. Earlier in the day, Gambia's dream run continued as they edged out Guinea, winning their first ever knockout game in their maiden tournament. The Scorpions will go head-to-head against Cameroon at the Douala stadium on Saturday for a place in the semi-final. Jean-Emile Jammine is joined by Sports Editor Simon Harding and James Vasina.

The Ebo rainforest in Cameroon is part of the second-largest tropical forest in the world. It is home to rare primates including gorillas. But poachers and logging companies threaten the forest and its inhabitants.

There have been lots of memorable moments at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, most of it involving some of the so-called lesser countries. But do you really know where some of these self-styled smaller nations are situated in Africa?

ECOWAS leaders hold an emergency summit in Ghana after a series of coups on the continent. Also, Mali's cotton sector is hit hard by ECOWAS measures after its military coup. In Nigeria, an explosion on an oil vessel off the coast sparks fears of environmental damage; the fate of 10 crew members is also still unclear. And Egypt beat Cameroon on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Nigerians celebrated the homecoming of Benin bronzes pillaged during the colonial era. It comes as African leaders are pushing for the restitution of the artifacts from Europe.

In Benin, artefacts that were looted by French forces during the 19th century and formally returned to their homeland last year are about to go on display. The objects include sculptures, masks and small pieces of furniture for ceremonial uses. FRANCE 24's Georja Calvin-Smith reports from the capital Cotonou. Also, French lawmakers pave the way for artworks stolen by the Nazis and currently on display in French museums to be returned to their rightful heirs.