Unversed in Burundi's official languages of French and Kirundi, children of refugees returning after decades spent in Anglophone countries, such as neighbouring Tanzania, often find it difficult to continue their studies and some drop out. To ensure such students continue learning, a group of returnee teachers has set up an education centre in the commune of Mabanda in Makamba Province, near Tanzania. The teachers work without pay.

Hundreds of families have fled their homes in parts of Abidjan amidst clashes between armed groups supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s two rival leaders, Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo. The fresh violence in the commercial capital's Abobo District comes as fighting hits parts of the interior, particularly around the political capital, Yamoussoukro, which is held by forces loyal to Gbagbo but lies directly south of territory held by former rebels.

Several Moroccan cities saw attempts to organise follow-up pro-democracy protests brutally stopped by riot police. Following the large, nation-wide protests one week ago, on 20 February, and smaller protests following, big pro-democracy manifestations were planned for Sunday. However, contrary to one week ago, the protests were mostly banned by local authorities and police in the last moment.

The planned resumption of mass protests in Djibouti this weekend was hindered by massive police presence in the capital and arrests of about 300 opposition and civil society leaders. Friday 18 February saw an estimated 30,000 Djiboutians protesting in central Djibouti City.