Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for February 12th

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 ethnic conflict in CAR, possible terrorism in Uganda, continued South Sudanese conflict, French intervention in African conflicts, Joseph Kony's recent movements, Rwandan rebels in the Congo, the Chinese presence in Tanzania, and political progress in Liberia.

Central African Republic: 'Ethnic cleansing' of Muslims
Militia attacks have led to a "Muslim exodus of historic proportions", according to a report by Amnesty International. Aid groups have warned of a food crisis, as many of the shops and wholesalers were run by Muslims. The UN's World Food Programme is due to start airlifting aid on Wednesday. The roads are too dangerous to transport food without a military escort, WFP spokesman Alexis Masciarelli told the BBC. This is why the UN agency is taking the more expensive option of flying food in from neighbouring Cameroon. – BBC
To read more, please visit the BBC site here.

U.S. warns of possible terror threat in Uganda
The U.S. embassy in Uganda is warning of a possible terrorist attack in the country's capital, Kampala. In a message released late Monday, the embassy said it has received information that "a group of attackers is possibly in place and ready to strike targets inside Kampala in February or March." It said "There are indications that the Ugandan National Museum is one of the potential targets." There was no immediate comment from the Ugandan government. – VOA News
To read more, please visit the VOA News site here.

Bloodshed continues in South Sudan as warring groups remain deadlocked
The initial fighting in the capital, Juba, broke out between loyal and mutinous soldiers, but soon developed into civilian massacres. Loyal troops or security forces turned on Juba's Nuer residents. Increasing numbers of terrified people have taken refuge in the two UN camps. Other tit-for-tat massacres occurred elsewhere, initially affecting Dinka in Bor, then spreading to other towns. In Akobo, Nuer militia were infuriated by UN attempts to evacuate Dinka leaders for their own safety. In December, the rebel soldiers forced their way into a UN camp and killed several Indian peacekeepers and Dinka refugees. At this point, the rebellion consisting mainly of mutinous soldiers (mostly Nuer), reinforced by poorly armed militia groups from Nuer areas (aka the White Army), seemed to pose a serious threat to the government in Juba. But in the past few weeks the scales have tipped the other way. Despite commanding only limited forces, Kiir has mobilised the support of regional allies, in particular Uganda and rebel groups from Sudan. – The Guardian
To read more, please visit the Guardian site here.

U.S. hails French role in stemming African conflicts
The United States Tuesday praised France's "key" role in helping to quell unrest and extremist violence in parts of Africa as French President Francois Hollande was welcomed on a state visit. "The French role has been key to achieving success in Mali and the French role in trying to bring about security and peace in CAR are very, very important," the US top diplomat for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. – Expatica
To read more, please visit the Expatica site here.

Warlord Kony benefits from chaos in CAR
A new report says the fugitive African warlord Joseph Kony may be getting a "lifeline" from chaos in Central African Republic, where sectarian violence has displaced nearly one million people. The report released on Tuesday by groups that monitor the Lord's Resistance Army — Invisible Children and The Resolve — said rebel attacks increased in 2013 and rebels may be using looting raids in eastern Central African Republic to resupply commanders. – News 24
To read more, please visit the News 24 site here.

Will FDLR rebels ever leave Congo and return to Rwanda?
Twenty years after the Rwandan genocide, some of those responsible are still wreaking havoc in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, where they are terrorising the local population and profiting from the area's rich natural resources. The BBC's Grainne Harrington reports on the UN's attempts to persuade them to lay down their weapons and return home. – BBC
To read more, please visit the BBC site here.

In Tanzania, we need to talk about China
In the past few months, the country has learnt a few things about Chinese operations in Tanzania. These include a deep involvement in elephant poaching; Chinese businesspeople being ushered through airport security points without inspection; Chinese business gurus driving straight to State House to sign a deal to repair an airport in exchange for a mining site, and UN allegations of Chinese companies smuggling gold from DRC through Dar es Salaam with the help of corrupt customs officials. On top of that, the Communist Party of China seems to be renewing its close relationship with Tanzania's ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which has remained at the helm of power since the country's independence in 1961, with the aim of using the party to influence investment and trade decision-making. – African Arguments
To read more, please visit the African Arguments site here.

Liberian takes charge of Liberia's army
A Liberian has been made the head of Liberia's army for the first time since civil war ended more than 10 years ago. On Tuesday, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Dee Ziankan as chief of staff of the new Armed Forces of Liberia.   This is the first time a Liberian has taken command of the country's military since the former army was disbanded in 2003, following more than a decade of civil war. – VOA News
To read more, please visit the VOA News site here.