US to lead new anti-pirate force
The US will lead a new international force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, the US navy says.

Shock at Senegal gay jail terms
Activists condemn as "shocking" the jailing in Senegal of nine gay men for eight years.

Ethiopia clamps down on khat dens
A crackdown is launched in Ethiopia on parlours where young men chew the narcotic khat.

New Puntland head 'to end piracy'
MPs in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland elect a new president, who promises to tackle piracy.

Kenya media welcomes law review
The Kenyan media cautiously welcomes President Mwai Kibaki's review into a contentious media law, just days after he signed the bill.

UN names new Western Sahara envoy
The UN chief names a US diplomat he wants to appoint as a special envoy in the Western Sahara crisis.

Ghana's new leader takes office
John Atta Mills is sworn in as Ghana's new president amid celebrations in the capital, Accra, after his narrow election victory.

Kenya anger over massacre burial
Relatives of Kenyans torched inside a church in poll violence a year ago protest at burial plans.

Guinea's junta makes army arrests
Guinea's military junta has made a series of arrests, including some senior officers, army sources say.

Nigerian motorcyclists wear pumpkins to evade helmet law
Nigerian authorities are cracking down on motorcyclists who try to dodge fines for not having a helmet by wearing dried pumpkin shells.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Cast your vote for BBC award
Time is running out to register your vote for the BBC African Footballer of the Year.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Toure 'happy' at Barca
Yaya Toure's agent insists the Ivory Coast midfielder has no intention of quitting Spanish giants Barcelona.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Cricket: SA concede one to Australia
Australia dismiss South Africa for 272 with 10 balls remaining to win the third and final Test by 103 runs in Sydney.

Low-brow books?
Donkey libraries help Ethiopians learn to read

Itching to work
Zimbabwean accountant's UK asylum ordeal

Year of change?
Mugabe's exit and other forecasts for Africa in 2009

Kiss of life
Brave doctors try to revive Nigeria's health system

Congo rebel mutineer 'no traitor'
DR Congo rebel leader Gen Nkunda says disciplinary action is being taken against a commander who tried to oust him, but he will not face execution.

Zimbabwe schools remain closed
The reopening of Zimbabwe's schools is delayed, officially to mark exams, but many teachers are refusing to work.

Somali pirates free Turkish ship
A Turkish ship and its crew held by Somali pirates since October has been released, the ship's owner says.

Nigerian pirates free nine crew
Nine crew members of a French ship taken hostage at the weekend off the coast of Nigeria have been released.

UN warned of Sudan violence
The UN must boost peacekeepers' mandate in Sudan to protect civilians amid fears political violence could erupt in the south, says an aid agency.

Peacekeeper killed in Mogadishu
An African Union peacekeeper is killed in the Somali capital as a UN worker is shot dead in a separate attack.

Ethiopia imposes aid curbs
Ethiopia's parliament passes a bill imposing restricting aid work, for example promoting the rights of children.

Africa seeks World Cup bonanza
Africans hope to cash in on the 2010 football tournament

Wind of change for Ghana
Narrow win for Ghana opposition in presidential run-off

'Good old days' under Bokassa?
Why some fondly recall Bokassa dictatorship

Suzman 'brave voice'
South African MP who spoke out against apartheid

Areva wins Niger uranium licence
French nuclear energy group Areva is awarded a licence to build and operate a uranium mine in Niger.

Cocoa prices hit a 23-year-high
London cocoa futures hit a 23-year-high as it proves to be the most lucrative commodity in 2008.