Diplomatic tensions between Mali and Ivory Coast deepen after Bamako sets conditions for the return of dozens of Ivorian soldiers arrested two months ago. Also, Ethiopia's New Year celebrations are overshadowed by an economic crisis. And anti-smoking campaigners in Senegal warn against the damage caused to young bodies when they start lighting up.

A ceasefire has been called in Libya, a move heralded by the UN, the EU and Egypt, which is raising hopes of an end to years of violence in the country. In Mali, thousands take to the streets in Bamako to show their support for the military that ousted former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. And a Nigerian filmmaker has decided to release her film online in a bid to avoid censors who may take issue with the lesbian love story.

A group of young Malians in Bamako perform in a theatre troupe, braving the prejudices associated with the discipline. Despite the setbacks, young thespians Aly, Awa and their acolytes have written and performed a play on the dangerous trip that thousands of young Africans take in the hope of migrating to Europe. The play, performed in a former open-air nightclub, was programmed in December as part of the "Les Praticables" festival, one of the only theatre events in Mali.

They're young, they have ideas .. and they want to make a difference in their country. Once a month, startup founders in Mali's capital Bamako face off at the "Tech Friday" event.

Fifteen people were killed when a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Bamako's Banconi Salemebougou district, according to a provisional assessment by the Malian Ministry of Security and Civil Protection. Rescue operations to search for survivors are ongoing.

More than 1,000 trucks loaded with merchandise are blocked at the entrance to Mali's capital Bamako on the fourth day of protests against the poor state of the country's roads.