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Nigeria's government has pardoned a key ally of President Goodluck Jonathan who was convicted of stealing millions of dollars.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dropped charges against Francis Muthaura, a co-accused of Kenya's presidential election winner Uhuru Kenyatta.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, 94, is back home in Johannesburg after spending the night in hospital following a check-up.

Oscar Pistorius's family has denied reports that the South African athlete, accused of killing his girlfriend, is suicidal.

At least 51 people have died after drinking tainted homemade alcohol in Tripoli, Libyan health officials say.

At least 10 people in Malawi, including current and former government ministers, have been arrested over an alleged coup plot.

Kenya's Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has been confirmed as the winner of the presidential election.

Kenya's electoral commission has said that a computer bug is to blame for a large number of rejected votes in the tallying of the presidential election.

A memorial service has been held in South Africa for the young Mozambican taxi driver who died last week after being dragged behind a police van.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says his government cannot grant an amnesty to the militant Islamist group Boko Haram because it is not known who its members are or what they want.

Hilton Botha, the former lead detective in the Oscar Pistorius inquiry, has resigned, South African police confirm.

Tunisia's Prime Minister-designate, Ali Larayedh, says the line-up of a new government has been agreed following "marathon negotiations".

Senegal's President Macky Sall says the government will close down Koranic schools that fail to meet basic safety standards.

Two people have been killed after protesters stormed a jail in Madagascar where the three alleged killers of a French nun were believed to be held.

Zimbabwe says it is not inviting Western observers to the constitutional referendum and elections due this year.

Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces trial at the ICC next month, has established a large lead over rival Raila Odinga in early results from Kenya's presidential poll.

The family of South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with murder, has distanced itself from his father's comments that guns are needed because of high crime levels.

Five people - including two policemen - were killed when protesters and security forces clashed in the Egyptian city of Port Said, officials say.