Jailed Malawi gay couple split - and one starts seeing a woman

A gay Malawian couple jailed for 14 years for their love affair after a homosexual rights test case have parted, with one starting a relationship with a woman.

The sentence brought international condemnation and last month Malawi's leader pardoned the men, Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, after meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Mr Mondeza said he had been coerced into the relationship and was instead seeing a 24-year-old woman called Dorothy, who said: "I am looking forward to a future with him. I don't care what people say."

The gay couple were arrested after holding a symbolic engagement ceremony in late December. Homosexuality is illegal in most of Africa's 53 countries.

Activists and the international community welcomed the pardon, with the White House urging an end to "the persecution and criminalisation of sexual orientation and gender identity".