A selection of the week’s best photos from across the African continent and beyond:
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. [James Oatway / Reuters]
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. [ Yanick Folly / AFP]
On Tuesday, a cat and her kittens are fed and petted by people living in a slum in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. [Gerald Anderson / 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. [Amin Mohammad Jamali / Getty Images]
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. [Amos Gumulira / 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. [ Sia Kambou / 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. [ Fethi Belaid / AFP]
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. [ Moise Kasereka / EPA]
On Monday, the International Pizza Festival takes place in Algeria’s capital, Algiers, where 50 competitors vie for the top three spots. [Billel Bensalem / 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. [Aytac Unal / Getty Images]
Back in her home village of Biban Mesbah, the Algerian welterweight’s fans celebrate her victory. [Hamza Zait / Getty Images]
From the BBC in Africa this week:
[Getty Images/BBC]
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
