Suspected Islamist gunmen are blamed for the deaths of at least 23 people in two separate attacks in north-eastern Nigeria.

The US military begins airlifting French soldiers and equipment to Mali to support their operation against Islamist militants.

South Sudan denies that the dismissal of more than 30 top army officers has anything to do with rumours of a coup plot rumour or political instability.

Mozambique authorities launch emergency evacuations in the flood-struck south where rising water levels threaten an estimated 55,000 people.

Some of Mali's most famous singers have come together to record a song calling for peace in their homeland.

Mali townspeople on coming face-to-face with Islamist rebels

Eritrea's capital is calm a day after a group of mutinous soldiers reportedly stormed the information ministry, sources say, while state TV is back on air.

Canada says it is trying to verify whether two Canadians were among the Islamists involved in the deadly siege at a remote desert gas plant in Algeria.

All the UN's carefully laid plans have had to shift

French and Malian troops have seized the key Malian towns of Diabaly and Douentza from militant Islamists.

Liberia's ex-President Charles Taylor is set to begin his appeal at a UN-backed court in The Hague against a 50-year war crimes sentence.

A video emerges on the internet apparently showing militant leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar claiming responsibility for a deadly hostage crisis at Algeria's gas plant.

The UK government is to discuss offering more help to French forces engaged in fighting Islamist rebels in Mali.

Organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations are concerned that some key fixtures could be played in front of half-empty stadiums in South Africa's Rustenburg.

Locals greet French troops in war-torn Mali town

How releasing shellfish into rivers could save lives