Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for February 19th

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 political control in South Sudan, Nigeria's climate of conflict, a West African summit of leaders, homosexuality in Uganda, French involvement in the Central African Republic, the South African tuberculosis crisis, and strife in the Zimbabwean government.

S. Sudan rebels claim to have taken partial control of Malakal
Sources from the South Sudanese rebels claimed to have recaptured much of the strategic oil-rich town of Malakal on Tuesday morning, adding that the whole state capital will be under their full control in a matter of hours. – Sudan Tribune
To read more, please visit the Sudan Tribune site here.

Uganda to exit South Sudan in 'two months'
Uganda will withdraw its troops from South Sudan starting April to pave the way for the deployment of an African peace keeping force, Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kuteesa announced Tuesday. The armed forces will be replaced by the yet to be formed African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) troops. – Africa Review
To read more, please visit the Africa Review site here.

Nigerian Army Can't Defeat Boko Haram- Governor Shettima
Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima today warned that Boko Haram members may continue to wreak havoc on residents of the state as they are more motivated than officers of the Nigerian military. "Bottom line is that we need more resources, more vote on ground." – allAfrica
To read more, please visit the allAfrica site here.

Sahel presidents discuss security
Heads of state from Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania met Sunday (February 16th) to discuss shared security challenges. The Nouakchott event focused on co-operation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. The Sahel leaders also discussed development, food security, poverty and illiteracy. – Magharebia
To read more, please visit the Magharebia site here.

Uganda's gays are just the latest victims of Museveni's lust for power
Bowing to popular pressure, Uganda's president has said he will sign into law a bill that specifies harsh new punishments for the "abnormality" of homosexuality and those who "promote" it. It's a huge step backwards for gay rights in Africa. But for President Museveni, that's not really the issue. He's just trying to keep himself in power.  – Daily Maverick
To read more, please visit the Daily Maverick site here.

French troops move west in Central African Republic
French soldiers deployed in Operation Sangaris in the Central African Republic have started leaving Bangui and moving into the provinces. Several units have already deployed outside the capital, but now half of the 1,600 troops that arrived in early December are on the road again. – The Guardian
To read more, please visit the Guardian site here.

Underground epidemic: the tuberculosis crisis in South Africa's gold mines
Of the 2.3 million new cases of TB reported in Africa last year, almost a third were connected to mining in sub-Saharan Africa. According to research, one mine worker with active TB can spread the disease to between 10 and 15 other people. – New Statesman
To read more, please visit the New Statesman site here.

In Zimbabwe, political crisis turns violent
A senior opposition official was assaulted by members of his own party, further fraying the only group capable of challenging President Mugabe. Meanwhile, a former US congressman was arrested in Harare on suspicion of possessing pornography. – CS Monitor
To read more, please visit the CS Monitor site here.