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.

South Africa-based Zimbabwean singer Berita Khumalo was attacked on stage while performing at the Plett Chill Out event on 30 September 2017.

Singer Blossom was handed a 12-month ban by the Namibian Annual Music Awards for criticising Namibia's president on social media.

Controversial new law bans women from traditional drumming and regulates the formation of drumming groups, as well as where and when they can perform.