Africa's week in pictures: 1 - 7 January 2021

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

Fireworks explode into orange in the night sky over the Nile.
Egyptians see in the New Year with fireworks over the capital, Cairo, on Friday.
Popcorn, lollipops and biscuits in a barrel.
A barrel of sweet treats is readied for celebrations in Liberia's capital, Monrovia.
Children smile holding their sweets.
While community leader Janet Sharty hands out popcorn, lollipops and biscuits for children as New Year's gifts.
General view of an empty beach with high-rise buildings in the distance.
On the same day in South Africa, a bird walks along Durban's empty shore where a ban on gatherings kept revellers at bay.
A man somersaults in his football strip.
Nigerian footballer Terem Moffi somersaults on the pitch after scoring for French side FC Lorient against AS Monaco on Wednesday.
Flames are seen on the torso of a man wearing an official's vest.
On the same day in Senegal, a policeman is covered in flames as he tries to put out a fire after protests erupted during a curfew inteded to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Children wearing masks and uniforms return to their primary school in Nairobi.
On Monday, millions of mask-wearing pupils in Kenya return to school nine months after they were closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
A cartoon image of a man wearing a mask appears next to an ornate church door.
A sign reminds visitors to the Evangelical Church at Kasr El Dobara church in Egypt, Cairo, on Tuesday.
A close shot of a woman holding hands with her two young daughters.
Also in Egypt, Marian Nabil and her daughters hold hands as they pray during Coptic Christmas eve mass at their home on Wednesday.
Giraffes stand side-by-side.
And on the same day in Kenya, a pair of giraffes get close in Nairobi National Park.

All pictures subject to copyright.

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