Africa highlights: SA spies threaten book publisher, Liberian run-off vote to be 'delayed'

1. Zimbabwean-based satirist "charged with insulting President Mugabe"
2. South Africa's spy agency says book about president violates the law
3. Edgar Lungu tells judges not to "copycat" Kenyan courts in poll dispute
4. Niger Delta Avengers announce end of ceasefire in Nigeria
5. Red Cross apologises for missing Ebola millions
6. Kenyan opposition calls for boycott of mobile phone firm
7. South African prosecutors say athlete's jail term "shockingly light"

Scroll down for Friday's stories

That's all from BBC Africa Live today. Keep up-to-date with what's happening across the continent by listening to the Africa Today podcast or check the BBC News website.

A reminder of today's wise words:

Hurry hurry brings no blessing."

A Swahili proverb sent by Sophie Jordan in Gravesend, UK

Click here and scroll to the bottom to send us your African proverbs.

And we leave you with this shot of a pupil praying ahead of his primary school exams in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday. It's one of our favourite photos this week:

Reuters

Liberia's run-off vote to be 'delayed' amid rigging row

Mary Harper

Africa editor, BBC World Service

AFP

Voting in last month's election went off peacefully

Electoral officials in Liberia say a presidential election run-off due to be held on Tuesday will be delayed.

The Supreme Court has halted preparations for the poll following allegations of fraud in the first round, held last month.

The allegations were made by Charles Brumskine who came third.

The two front-runners, the former football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai, are competing in the run-off.

'Gay lions' upset Kenyan film censor

A photograph of two male lions having sex in Kenya's world-famous Maasai Mara game reserve is entertaining Twitter but troubling the head of Kenya's film board.

Ezekiel Mutua, chief executive of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), told Nairobi News that the lions must have learnt the behaviour from humans:

These animals need counselling, because probably they have been influenced by gays who have gone to the national parks and behaved badly."

In fact, plenty of animals engage in same-sex mating. Japanese macaques, for example, are believed to do so simply for pleasure, according to a 2006 study.

Sudan's answers to Uber and Starbucks

The US recently lifted most of the economic sanctions imposed on Sudan in the 1990s, which had made it difficult for some businesses to function.

But over the past two decades, the absence of international companies has prompted innovations at home as Sudanese come up with their own solutions to meet the local demand:

Sudanese innovations under US sanctions

Bird flu hits South Africa's poultry industry

Avian influenza, or bird flu, has hit the poultry industry in South Africa.

It's estimated that four million chickens have been, or are being, culled to stop the outbreak - and an egg shortage means prices could rise by as much as 20%.

The BBC's Vumani Mkhize has more.

Bird flu hits South Africa's poultry industry

Court to rule on Monday on Liberia poll

Jonathan Paye-Layleh

BBC Africa, Monrovia

EPA

Lawyer Charles Brumskine came third in last month's presidential election

Liberia's Supreme Court will rule on Monday whether the presidential election run-off, due the following day, can go ahead.

Opposition Liberal Party presidential candidate Charles Brumnskine asked the court to halt the run-off until allegations of fraud in the first round of voting were investigated.

Election commission lawyer Alexander Zoe asked the panel of five judges to dismiss the petition and allow the run-off to take place.

After hearing two hours of legal argument, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor said the court would hand down its judgement on Monday.

The court has banned the commission from preparing for the run-off until it gives its ruling.

The chairman of the electoral body had previously said that it may not be possible to hold the run-off on Tuesday because of the legal dispute.

Former football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are due to contest the run-off after obtaining the highest number of votes in the first round of voting held last month.

Mr Weah obtained the most votes, but failed to secure an outright majority.

Mr Brumskine was eliminated from the race because he came third.

Liberia's president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is stepping down at the end of her two terms.

Mané gets green light for World Cup qualifier

Nick Cavell

BBC Africa Sport

Getty Images

Liverpool winger Sadio Mané is Senegal's star player

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says that Senegal forward Sadio Mané could make a return from injury tomorrow against West Ham in the English Premier League.

He picked up the hamstring injury last month on international duty.

Klopp says Mané could play 20 or 25 minutes on Saturday.

He added that he is trying to talk to the Senegal Football Association about Mane's recovery and what part he might play for them next week in their two crucial 2018 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa:

Sadio is not injured any more. Is he 100 per cent fit? That is different.

He is in a good way. He has to go there and if they can get the point they need [a win next Friday against hosts South Africa sees them qualify for the World Cup finals] maybe we can talk again and ask if it is necessary for him to play the second game and he can come back.

That would be the ideal situation."

'US air strike in Somalia'

A journalist for Voice of America quotes a US Department of Defence official as saying an air strike has been carried out on the so-called Islamic State in Somalia:

Zuma's spy agency threatens book publisher

Milton Nkosi

BBC Africa, Johannesburg

Reuters

President Jacob Zuma has been dogged by allegations of corruption for more than a decade

South Africa's spy agency has demanded the withdrawal of a controversial new book about President Jacob Zuma's alleged financial irregularities, saying it is "replete with inaccuracies" and contravenes the Intelligence Service Act.

The State Security Agency threatened to go to go to court if NP publishers failed to withdraw "The President's Keepers - Those keeping Zuma in power and out of prison", authored by award-winning investigative journalist Jacques Pauw.

The book alleged that Mr Zuma had for four months received a "salary" from a businessman - over and above his government-paid presidential salary - and had failed to declare it to the tax collection agency, the South African Revenue Services.

After excerpts of the book were published in Sunday newspapers, Mr Zuma's spokesman issued a statement, denying any wrongdoing by the president and saying he was the victim of a "smear campaign".

"The tax matters of the president are in order," the statement added.

Mr Pauw says he stands by his work.

Copies of the book are flying off the shelves like hot cakes as people are rushing to get it, in case it disappears from book stores.

I've already bought my copy:

BBC

This 'chic villager' demands your attention

Ata Ahli Ahebla

BBC Afrique

“No matter where you come from, never have a complex or feel inferior to anyone,” says Burkinabé singer Hawa Boussim.

Speaking to me on BBC Afrique's music programme C’est le moment, she adds: “Being a villager doesn't mean I'm unintelligent or ignorant, that's why I called my album Mingoureza," which means chic villager in her native Bissa language.

Her sonic and visual styles meld together funk, electronic and Afrobeats - plus her cherished traditional influences.

Hawa also sees herself as an advocate for education as well as the rights of women and girls.

Youri Lenquette

Hawa Boussim advises young people against polygamous relationships

“I hadn’t been to school myself but I know how important school is in someone's life," she tells me.

Hawa is also outspoken about men who treat their wives poorly, saying they should demonstrate more respect and gratitude.

She also has relationship advice for younger generations:

"I wouldn't advise them to enter polygamous relationships, because the times have changed," Hawa says, herself the third wife of her husband.

Here's a highlight from her new album, a track called Hme Ye:

For more on African music news, follow my show, C'est le Moment, on Facebook (in French).

Millions of dollars 'missing' in DR Congo

Mary Harper

Africa editor, BBC World Service

A US-based foundation says the Democratic Republic of Congo's state-owned mining company failed to account for almost two-thirds of its revenue between 2011 and 2014.

In a new report, the Carter Center said about $750m (£570m) had gone missing.

The report warned that more money was likely to go astray ahead of elections, which have been delayed a number of times.

There has been no response so far from the authorities.

DR Congo is the world's largest cobalt producer and a leading producer of copper.

AFP

Most people in resource-rich DR Congo are poor

American 'charged with insulting Mugabe'

EPA

Robert Mugabe is the world's oldest ruler

Zimbabwean-based US citizen Martha O'Donovan, 25, has been charged with insulting President Robert Mugabe, 93, the satirical video outlet where she works has said.

Police accused her of posting a message on Twitter which read: "We are being led by a selfish and sick man", with a photo showing that the veteran leader is surviving on a catheter.

Ms O'Donovan, who was arrested at her home in the capital Harare, has denied the allegations, saying they are "baseless and malicious".

Magamba TV, a satirical video outlet where Ms O'Donovan works, has tweeted the latest developments:

See our earlier post for more details

New Kenya poll law comes into force

Controversial amendments to Kenya's election law have come into effect, making it more difficult for the Supreme Court to annul polls.

The law says elections cannot be cancelled on the basis of minor inconsistencies if they are not intended to mislead.

The Supreme Court cancelled August's presidential election, citing "irregularities and illegalities".

Read more on the BBC News website.

Opposition targets Kenya's top firms for boycott

AFP

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has vowed to lead a resistance campaign in Kenya

Kenya’s opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) has called for a boycott of three of the country’s biggest companies, accusing them of favouring President Uhuru Kenyatta's government in disputed elections.

The three are:

• Mobile phone firm Safaricom, Kenya's most profitable company
• Dairy firm Brookside, owned by the Kenyatta family
• Cooking oil and soap manufacturer Bidco

The companies have not yet commented on the boycott call.

Nasa presidential candidate Mr Odinga refused to take part in last month's election re-run, saying conditions for a credible election did not exist.

The poll was held after the Supreme Court annulled Mr Kenyatta's victory in the August election, saying the poll was marred by "irregularities and illegalities".

Mr Kenyatta won the re-run with 98% of the vote.

Nasa has accused Safaricom - which was contracted by the electoral commission to transmit results from polling stations to the vote tallying centres in the 26 October election re-run - of colluding to manipulate votes. Safaricom has denied the allegation.

More than 90% of calls made in Kenya are from a Safaricom number and the company also operates the hugely popular mobile money system Mpesa.

What happened to Africa's revolutions?

Getty Images

Malcolm X met Abdulrahman Mohamed Babu, activist and leader of the Zanzibar revolution, in 1964.

Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Black Panthers, Nelson Mandela and a cast of future African leaders were all drawn to Tanzania's biggest city, Dar es Salaam, in the 1960s and 70s.

They were drawn by a shared hope for a new world in the era of the Vietnam War, the US Civil Rights movement and African campaigns for independence.

Their vision was not just of an Africa free from colonial rule, but a reborn continent built on the socialist principles of equality for all.

Do those ideas still resonate with the generations of young Africans looking to understand their place in the world? Ben Shepherd reports for BBC Radio 4:

Ben Shepherd examines the history and legacy of Africa's left-wing liberation movements.

Wanyama still sidelined for Spurs

Reuters

Kenyan international captain and Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama is "continuing fieldwork training as part of his recovery," and it looks unlikely that he'll be playing for the Premier League side against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The 26-year-old has made only one start this season and has been troubled by a knee injury.

More EPL updates from BBC Sport here.

Red Cross apologises for missing Ebola millions

Imogen Foulkes

BBC News, Geneva

Getty Images

Around 11,300 people died in the 2014-15 outbreak in west Africa

Auditors at the Red Cross Federation have revealed that several million dollars of aid money was lost to fraud and corruption during the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

The outbreak - mainly confined to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea - required a massive humanitarian operation, with around $100m (£76m) in cash donations dispersed to Red Cross societies in those three countries by the Red Cross Federation in Geneva.

In Liberia, $2.7m (over £2m) disappeared in fraudulently overpriced supplies, or in salaries for non-existent aid workers, the Red Cross says.

In Sierra Leone, Red Cross staff apparently colluded with a local bank to skim off over $2m. In Guinea, where investigations are ongoing, around $1m disappeared in fake customs bills.

The Red Cross says it is deeply sorry for the losses, adding that it has introduced stricter financial rules, and has promised to hold any Red Cross staff involved to account.

Fraud involving donor money is every aid agency's nightmare. The Red Cross is probably the world's best known humanitarian organisation, and this revelation will be damaging.

Niger Delta Avengers announce end of ceasefire

AFP

Many militant groups have targeted oil installations in Nigeria over the years

Nigerian militant group Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) says it has ended its ceasefire and will resume attacks in the oil-rich south.

The NDA said it took the decision because it had "lost faith" in local leaders, Reuters news agency reports.

"We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel the warmth of the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers," the group said in a statement.

The campaign would be "brutish, brutal and bloody" with the aim of putting "off the fires that burn to flair gas in our communities and [to] cut every pipe that moves crude away from our region", it added.

A ceasefire came into force in 2016 following talks with the government.

Attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta in that year slashed oil production in Nigeria to its lowest level in at least 30 years, Reuters reports.

Most people in the Niger Delta are poor, and the NDA says it wants the government to spend a greater share of oil income on developing the region.

Read more: Who are the NDA?

American citizen arrested over 'anti-Mugabe tweet'

US citizen Martha O'Donovan has been arrested in Zimbabwe for allegedly insulting President Robert Mugabe on Twitter, in a move that lawyers have linked to the formation of a cyber security ministry last month.

In a tweet, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) group said Ms O'Donovan - the manager of Magamba TV, an online-based satirical video outlet - was the first person to be arrested on such grounds since the ministry was formed.

Police arrested Ms O'Donovan during a dawn raid at her home in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, seizing electronic devices, including computers and a phone, ZLHR's Obey Shava said in a statement.

Police had not yet charged her but they alleged that "tweets emanating from her IT address are insulting to the president", Mr Shava was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

Mr Shava referred to some tweets sent from Ms O'Donovan's account which referred to a Goblin, whose step-son recently bought a Rolls Royce, but said that Mr Mugabe was not mentioned, reports the BBC's Shingayi Nyoka from Harare.

Zimbabwe does not yet have a cyber-crime law, so if O'Donovan is charged it is likely to be under the presidential insult law, she adds.

Hundreds of people have been arrested over the years under this law, our reporter says.

Magamba TV has tweeted about the arrest:

Judgement reserved in Pistorius case

South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal has finished hearing the case into whether Oscar Pistorius' murder sentenced should be lengthened.

Prosecutors called for the six-year prison sentence handed to the athlete for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to be increased to 15 years because of the brutality of the murder.

Defence lawyers told the court the sentence was appropriate because of mitigating circumstances, including remorse.

Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day in 2013 by firing four shots through a bathroom door.

AFP

Reeva Steenkamp, seen here in 2012 with Pistorius, was a model and law school graduate