A selection of the week’s best photos from across the African continent and beyond:
James Oatway / Reuters
A contestant warms up on stage on Sunday in preparation for a slap fighting match in Kagiso township, west of South Africa’s main city, Johannesburg…
James Oatway / Reuters
In the real fight, a penalty is awarded whenever the person being slapped flinches.
Yanick Folly / AFP
Also on Sunday, a man in a costume and mask is surrounded by spectators at a festival in Benin’s capital, Porto-Novo…
Yanick Folly / AFP
Dozens of people wearing masks in different styles parade through the streets during the Porto-Novo Mask Festival.
Gerald Anderson / Getty Images
On Tuesday, a cat and her kittens are fed and petted by people living in a slum in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Amin Mohammad Jamali / Getty Images
The next day, Egypt’s artistic Olympic swimming team wows spectators with daring aquatic tumbles and tosses – but the team only manages to get tenth spot at the Paris Games.
Amos Gumulira / AFP
The sound of Malawi’s military band fills the streets of the capital, Lilongwe, on Friday to mark the beginning of the election period ahead of elections next year.
Sia Kambou / AFP
China’s armed forces make a guest appearance at Ivory Coast’s 64th independence parade on Wednesday in the resort town Grand-Bassam, 42km (26 miles) east of the main city, Abidjan.
Fethi Belaid / AFP
On Saturday evening, Iraqi crooner Kadim al-Sahir performs at the International Festival of Carthage on the outskirts of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.
Moise Kasereka / EPA
Earlier on Saturday in Kibati town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, wreaths are laid for seven victims of a bombing on 15 July…
Moise Kasereka / EPA
A mourner is overcome by emotion at the ceremony.
Billel Bensalem / Getty Images
On Monday, the International Pizza Festival takes place in Algeria’s capital, Algiers, where 50 competitors vie for the top three spots.
Aytac Unal / Getty Images
The next day, Algeria’s Olympic boxer Imane Khelif goes through to the gold medal fight after she defeats Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.
Hamza Zait / Getty Images
Back in her home village of Biban Mesbah, the Algerian welterweight’s fans celebrate her victory.
James Oatway / Reuters
James Oatway / Reuters
Yanick Folly / AFP
Yanick Folly / AFP
Gerald Anderson / Getty Images
Amin Mohammad Jamali / Getty Images
Amos Gumulira / AFP
Sia Kambou / AFP
Fethi Belaid / AFP
Moise Kasereka / EPA
Moise Kasereka / EPA
Billel Bensalem / Getty Images
Aytac Unal / Getty Images
Hamza Zait / Getty Images
Getty Images/BBC
