Africa’s 2016 in pictures

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A selection of the most striking news images from the African continent this year.

Preserving rural Mali

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Photographer Boukary Konate is documenting scenes from rural life in his native Mali for the "internet generation", and before this way of life disappears entirely.

Ebrima Sillah: Home sweet home

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After 12 years, Ebrima Sillah, who was forced to flee The Gambia for being too critical of Yahya Jammeh, hopes to return home.

Mannir Dan Ali: ‘Limping giant’

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In our series of letters from African journalists, Mannir Dan Ali considers why the Nigerian president is finding it hard to please anyone.

Who are Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamist group?

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The BBC looks at the militant Islamist group Boko Haram, which is fighting to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state in parts of West Africa.

‘Extravagant grannies…’

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This year's Lagos Photo Festival in Nigeria brings together well-known photographers and their take on identity in Africa.

Concrete canvas

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After nearly three years of war, South Sudanese artists want to get the country thinking and talking about peace, and have landed on a novel way to do it.

Octopus hunters of Zanzibar

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The white beaches of Zanzibar’s coast are home to the octopus hunters, in search of the delicacy.

Why is the Suez Canal a big deal? Explained in 60 secs

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Why is the Suez Canal a big deal? BBC News explains its historical significance, in 60 seconds.

Archive: Nelson Mandela released from prison

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Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa, after serving 27 years for treason.