Benin's finance minister Romuald Wadagni was officially confirmed to have won the west African country's presidential election, according to final results on Thursday.

Hundreds of Congolese refugees living at the Busuma camp in Burundi have been voluntarily repatriated.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday suspended the national police chief implicated in a $20 million health tender scandal that has rocked the country and drawn in other officers.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has promised constitutional reform in response to last year’s post-election violence that left hundreds of people dead.

Fresh fighting has erupted in Kidal, where Tuareg rebels backed by jihadists are clashing with government forces supported by Russian mercenaries. The violence follows coordinated nationwide attacks, including explosions and sustained gunfire in Bamako, highlighting a worsening security situation.

Mali’s defence minister Sadio Camara has been killed in a car bomb attack on his home near Bamako, as the country faces a second day of intense fighting.

Mali's ruling military junta has announced two days of national mourning after coordinated attacks killed the country’s defense minister and reportedly left a key northern town in rebel hands.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has been nominated to stand as his party’s candidate in next year’s presidential election.

'Should you ever need to get hold of us, just give us a ring,' King Charles added, as the crowd laughed.