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Africa's week in pictures: 17 - 23 March 2023

A selection of the week's best photos from across the continent:

News imageBBC 1px transparent line
News imageGetty Images Girl with her arms stretched out wide smiling and celebrating amongst a cheerful crowd who have Tunisian flags in their hands.Getty Images
Tunisians are celebrating their independence day on Monday as hundreds take to the streets in Tunis. It comes amid a backdrop of fear among sub-Saharan Africans in the country, who say they have been the target of racism after a speech by President Kais Saied who said they were trying to change Tunisia's demographics...
News imageGetty Images Woman smiling in a gold and red traditional Tunisian outfit.Getty Images
There is more patriotic cheer on Sunday, as this woman celebrates Tunisia's National Day of Traditional Attire, which seeks to preserve the culture of the nation...
News imageGetty Images Woman wearing traditional Tunisian attireGetty Images
This woman is also celebrating the same day.
News imageGetty Images Queen Maxima of The Netherlands visiting Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco. The two women are wearing purple suits of different shades and are pecking each other on the cheek.Getty Images
The fashion stakes remain high in Rabat, as Queen Maxima of The Netherlands visits Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco in her residence on Wednesday...
News imageGetty Images Queen Maxima in a hat shop looking at multicoloured hats which are hanging from the walls.Getty Images
Queen Maxima also visits a market during her Morocco trip, which she made as part of her role as a United Nations envoy.
News imageGetty Images Man walking outside next to another person who is wearing a wolf mask. There is black smoke in the background and other people who look like they are protesting or rioting.Getty Images
There are scenes of smoke and flames as these people take to the streets of Nairobi to protest against Kenyan President William Ruto's government on Monday. Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for the protests and says the elections last year were stolen from him, despite the judiciary deciding otherwise...
News imageEPA Man wearing giant green sunglasses carrying a sack of stones on his head as he stands outside.EPA
This opposition supporter looks on during the same protests as he carries a sack of stones on his head. Mr Odinga also accuses the government of failing to respond to the cost-of-living crisis.
News imageEPA Woman ringing a bell in Lagos at a polling unit. There are other people behind her on the road.EPA
In Nigeria, there are gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, as this woman rings her bell outside a polling unit in Lagos. Despite the vibrant scenes here, BBC Pidgin reported a high level of voter apathy.
News imageGetty Images People dancing outside wearing traditional attire.Getty Images
Over in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, these people are dancing during a Commonwealth event on Sunday.
News imageGetty Images People outdoors getting water from a well.Getty Images
These people are getting water from a well in Dakar, Senegal, a few days before the annual World Water Day, held to raise awareness about what the UN describes as a water crisis.
News imageGetty Images People praying in a mosque. They are all wearing different colour clothes and are bowing down.Getty Images
It is the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday and these Egyptians are praying in Cairo's Amr bin As mosque. During Ramadan Muslims are required to fast from food and liquids during daylight hours...
News imageGetty Images Multi-coloured lanterns in Libya that are illuminated and hanging up.Getty Images
The spirit of Ramadan is also seen in Libya on the same day, as these Ramadan lanterns are lit up, a tradition of the holy month.
News imageAFP Men arrive at the Mosque in Chinguetti. They are wearing traditional blue kaftans.AFP
Meanwhile, on Friday in Mauritania, these men are entering their mosque in Chinguetti.
News imageAFP Ferdinand Omanyala embraces his wife and fellow sprinter Laventa Omanyala. He is smiling from ear to ear in a green top.AFP
There are smiles in Nairobi, as Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala embraces his wife and fellow sprinter Laventa Omanyala on her birthday.

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