SADC region gearing up to host 45th ordinary summit heads of state
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is getting ready to host its 45th ordinary summit heads of state and government this month in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The former Nigerian president, who died on Sunday at the age of 82, became the country's military leader after a coup, was imprisoned by a new junta, then reinvented himself decades later to win the presidency in a democratic election.
Often pictured in dark glasses or thick, black-framed spectacles and traditional zanna cap, much of Buhari's life was played out in public.
Buhari - pictured here in 1977 with the then-King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Saudi Arabia's Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani in 1977 - began his military career straight out of school.
By the time this picture was taken, Buhari had risen to become a regional military commander.
Although Buhari took the role of military ruler, he denied having plotted the coup, saying he was simply installed by senior commanders who needed a figurehead. Other accounts describe Buhari as playing a more active role in the takeover.
After two years of iron-fisted rule, characterized by a crusade against corruption and various human rights abuses, Buhari was himself ousted. The new junta placed him under house arrest for three years.
In 2003, following decades away from politics, Buhari decided to have another go at the leading the country.
This time, he bid for the top job through a democratic election - running for the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).
Here he can be seen on the right, with his running mate Chuba Okadigbo on the left and ANPP chairman Don Etiebet.
Buhari was well beaten by Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, and he made two other unsuccessful runs for the presidency in 2007 and 2011.
Despite these failed bids, he accumulated supporters, including disaffected youngsters, with their pledges to fight corruption and insecurity.
Here, a sign displayed in the city of Kaduna during the 2015 election, tells passersby that locals will only vote for "Baba" Buhari.
Buhari was eventually elected in 2015, besting incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
He made history, becoming the first ever opposition candidate to win a general election.
