Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for December 18th

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 updates on the violence in South Sudan and international reaction, fear and instability in CAR, Malian political elections, Al-Shabaab's continued efforts for attention, and Desmond Tutu's thoughts about Mandela's memorial service.

South Sudan clashes 'kill 400-500' after coup claim
Hundreds of people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions, the UN says, quoting unconfirmed reports. UN diplomats said they had been told by sources in the capital, Juba, that the death toll was between 400 and 500. South Sudan has seen two days of clashes following a reported coup attempt against President Salva Kiir. – BBC
To read more, please visit the BBC site here.

Non-essential U.S. embassy staff quitting South Sudan
The United States Tuesday ordered all non-emergency embassy staff to leave South Sudan amid an outbreak of fierce fighting and stressed the onus was on the country's leaders to end the violence.
"The Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from South Sudan because of ongoing political and social unrest," it said in a statement. – Al Arabiya
To read more, please visit the Al Arabiya site here.

Uprooted in Central African Republic, too terrified to go back
The man, Abdon Seredangaru, 25, a primary-school teacher, was one of the many hundreds attacked in three days of mass killings this month here in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. More than 450 people were massacred in the city, according to the United Nations, and 150 others nationwide. Hundreds more, like Mr. Seredangaru and his family, narrowly escaped death. – New York Times
To read more, please visit the New York Times site here.

Mali: Party of President, Keita, wins parliamentary election
The party of Mali's president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and his allies has won the country's recent parliamentary elections, according to provisional results. The polls marked Mali's complete return to democracy. – allAfrica
To read more, please visit the allAfrica site here.

Al-Shabaab in long-running battle with Twitter
More than two months after their last account on Twitter was suspended, al-Shabab - the Somali rebel group fighting the UN-backed government in Mogadishu - opened a new account on Monday, their seventh since September. But their latest handle was shut down just six hours later. It appears Twitter and al-Shabab have resumed their virtual fight. The group's last account was suspended after it claimed responsibility for the Nairobi Westgate mall attack that left more than 60 people dead. – Al Jazeera
To read more, please visit the Al Jazeera site here.

Archbishop Tutu: Nelson Mandela service excluded Afrikaners
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said that Nelson Mandela would have been appalled that Afrikaners were excluded from memorial services marking his death. He highlighted the absence of the Dutch Reformed Church and the limited use of the Afrikaans language at the services. – BBC
To read more, please visit the BBC site here.