Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz was blocked from leaving the country for not having an overseas performance permit from the national arts council.

Equatorial Guinean artist Ramón Esono Ebalé left the country on 28 May after 6 months in prison and then waiting 3 months for travel documents.

Kenya Film Classification Board banned Wanuri Kahiu's film Rafiki over its LGBT content depicting a love story between two women.

Poet Naema Ahmed Ibrahim was released from prison and remains in Hargeisa. She was not pardoned of the charges against her.

An Equatorial Guinean court on 7 March 2018 released an artist imprisoned on dubious charges for nearly six months, 18 human rights groups said today. The prosecution dropped all charges against Ramón Esono Ebalé, a cartoonist whose work is often critical of the government.

Zimbabwean musician Jeys Marabini and his band were attacked by audience members for singing in their native IsiNdebele language during their performance at the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Musician Nimcaan Hilaac has been reportedly arrested in his home town of Boroma in Somaliland, according to Freemuse sources.

The Queer Kampala International Film Festival was brought to an abrupt end after policemen raided the festival venue and forced festivalgoers out.

David Mugema and Jonathan Muwanguzi were detained for a day after pleading not guilty to charges of “offensive communication” over one of their songs.

Lamu Cultural Festival organisers stopped the performance of Tanzanian music group Offside Trick for allegedly indecent and obscene dances.