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Daily News on Issues Affecting Africa for August 13th

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Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today's In the News post are: Africa's growing youth population, Ebola in East Africa, China-US competition, and food security.

WHO Urges Greater Kenya Scrutiny Over Ebola

Nairobi — The government has assured of intensified screening measures in all entry points to curb Ebola transmission in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia on Wednesday said President Uhuru Kenyatta has also demanded to know the steps the health ministry is taking in curbing the deadly disease that is ravaging West Africa. Macharia said Kenya cannot afford to play around with the matter since JKIA receives 76 flights weekly from West Africa.

To Read More From AllAfrica Click Here

Africa's young to swell to 1bn by 2050, says Unicef

Africa's under-18 population will swell by two-thirds to reach almost a billion by 2050, a new UN report says. The findings show a "massive shift in the world's child population towards Africa", it says. Its projections indicate that by 2050, about 40% of all children will be in Africa, up from around 10% in 1950. This is despite the fact that child mortality rates in Africa will remain high, it says. The continent currently accounts for about half of child mortality globally and the proportion could rise to around 70% per cent by 2050, according to the Generation 2030/Africa Report released by Unicef, the UN's child agency.

To Read More from BBC Africa Click Here

South Sudanese president vows to form an all-inclusive cabinet

August 12, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan leader, Salva Kiir has vowed to establish an all-inclusive government in order to end the nearly eight months of conflict that could cause severe famine in the country. Kiir made these remarks at the meeting with members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) who visited the capital, Juba on Tuesday. "I always say if peace is to come today, I will be the happiest person because all those who are dying are South Sudanese, whether they are fighting on the side of Riek Machar or fighting in the course of defending the nation as part of the constitutional mandate and requirements", the president reportedly told the UNSC members.

To Read More from the Sudan Tribune Click Here

China, US both rivals and partners for slices of African pie

Last week's US-Africa Leaders Summit revived debate on America's efforts to catch up with China's growing economic influence in Africa. The summit generated about US$37bn in deals, investment and financial support for Africa and as General Electric (GE) CEO Jeff Immelt put it, the US is "back in the game".

To Read More from How We Made it in Africa Click Here

Food security alarm for east, central Africa

NAIROBI, 13 August 2014 (IRIN) - Some 20 million people are facing acute food insecurity in eastern and central Africa, with most of them being at "crisis" and "emergency" levels, according to aid agencies. This figure compares unfavorably with 15.8 million people in July 2013.  The affected countries include Somalia, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central Africa Republic (CAR), Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania.

To Read More from IRIN News Click Here

Related Program

Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more