The Malian military has entered the northern city of Kidal for the first time since they were chased out 16 months ago by a Tuareg separatist group.

The South African presidency says the former President Nelson Mandela remains in a critical, stable condition contradicting earlier reports that he lay in a vegetative state.

At least 26 people were killed in clashes across Egypt as tens of thousands of supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi turned out to protest his ouster by a popularly backed military coup.

Egypt's army overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday and announced a political transition with the support of a wide range of political, religious and youth leaders.

Egyptian security forces arrested the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday, security sources said, in a crackdown against the Islamist movement after the army ousted the country's first democratically elected president.

Khairat al-Shater, the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been arrested, an Egyptian Interior Ministry general has announced.

Thirty people have been killed and over 300 injured across Egypt in clashes between opponents and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and in clashes between pro-Morsi protesters and security forces, according to Egyptian Health Ministry officials.

U.S. President Barack Obama heads to South Africa on Friday hoping to see ailing icon Nelson Mandela, after wrapping up a visit to Senegal that focused on improving food security and promoting democratic institutions.

Nelson Mandela's health improved overnight and although his condition remains critical it is now stable, the South African government said Thursday. One of the former president's daughters said he is still opening his eyes and reacting to the touch of his family even though his situation is precarious.

Egypt is heading for a "dark tunnel", says the head of its armed forces. How he and his generals respond to a political showdown in the streets may determine whether its new democracy survives to see the light.

The Egyptian presidency on Monday strongly condemned the killing of four Shiites in sectarian confrontation the previous day.

Tunisia's military Chief of Staff, General Rachid Ammar announced his retirement on Monday night, sparking further debate on the country's security situation.

Mali's ex-transitional prime minister Cheick Modibo Diarra has submitted his candidacy for the July 28 presidential elections.

At least 37 miners were killed in a mine accident in Central African Republic (CAR) when a gold mine where they were working collapsed, the country's official said on Monday.

unisian President Moncef Marzouki on Monday slammed media reports that pointed to the army's lack of progress in pursuing insurgents hiding in a western mountain.

Negotiations between Morocco and the European Union (EU) on a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement resumed on Monday in Brussels, the Moroccan Ministry of Trade said in a statement.

The ailing 94-year-old former President Nelson Mandela is in a worsening condition in hospital, having no impact on U.S. President Barrack Obama's visit, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma said on Monday. "Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital, and doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort," said Zuma in Johannesburg.

Successive crises in Cote d'Ivoire had a negative impact on the West African country's environment, the UN environment agency said on Monday.

Kenya will host two major tourism events in October as a way of profiling the East African country as a priority destination.

Newly-appointed Governor of Egypt's ancient city of Luxor, Adel Assad Al-Khayat said Sunday that he had submitted his resignation.