Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for November 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 Tanzanian diplomacy, the natural disaster in Somali Puntland region, the Cashgate scandal in Malawi, Liberian uninvolvement in drug trafficking, Congolese peace deal with M23 rebels, the Westgate mall attack, France's recognition of African role in WWI, and family planning successes in Kenya.

After win in DRC, a confident new Tanzania emerges on the East African stage
Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete is basking in the glow of one of his country's best diplomatic weeks in recent times. When Tanzania offered to send its military as the lead contingent of the new, aggressive UN Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there were fears it would join the long list of external forces and adventurers who have ended up in eastern DRC's bottomless political graveyard. However, just over a week ago, the UN forces and the Congolese army (FARDC) seemed to have handed the M23 rebels a comprehensive defeat. That not only bolstered Tanzania internationally, but could only have improved its standing in the South African Development Community (SADC). The two other key troop contributing countries to FIB are both SADC members - South Africa and Malawi. – East African
To read more, please visit the East African site here

Somalia: Over hundred feared dead as heavy storm hits Puntland
As many as, 100 people are believed dead in Somalia's northeastern region of Puntland after a powerful tropical cyclone storm unleashed high wind speeds and flooding that washed away hundreds of houses and livestock across its path along the vast coast of Puntland State, Garowe Online reports. – allAfrica
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Malawi: Donors delay aid as the Cashgate scandal unfolds
Malawi's government is deliberating over how to cope with suspensions in international aid as the country continues to reel from the recent high-level corruption scandal dubbed Cashgate. The EU, UK and Norway have all said they will be withholding aid to Malawi, which relies on international assistance for 40% of its budget, and the latest to follow suit is the Common Approach to Budgetary Support (CABS), a group which includes the World Bank, African Development Bank and several European governments. – Think Africa Press
To read more, please visit the Think Africa Press site here

Liberia: Executive Mansion Issues Clarification On Use of Presidential Vehicle in Drug Raid
The Executive Mansion has commended the Joint Security for the weekend arrests of individuals, including security personnel of Liberia and Sierra Leone suspected of drug trafficking. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader expressed her satisfaction over the swift action of the Joint Security which led to the arrest of Perry Dolo and Cyrus Slewion of the Liberia National Police, a Sierra Leonean military officer, a businessman, a taxi driver, and an ex-military personnel, at the Tiene Checkpoint, along the Liberia-Sierra Leone border. – allAfrica
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DR Congo aborts peace deal with M23 rebels
The Democratic Republic of Congo has refused to sign a peace deal with the defeated M23 rebel group, after Kinshasa demanded the agreement be named a "declaration" and not an "accord".  "The DRC delegation has aborted the signing of agreement with M23," said Ofwono Opondo, a spokesman of the Ugandan government which has been mediating in the talks between the two sides. – Al Jazeera
To read more, please visit the Al Jazeera site here

Westgate Mall Attacker Lived in Kenya Refugee Camp
One of the four Westgate Mall attackers once lived in a refugee camp of 50,000 Somali refugees in northwestern Kenya, two security officials said, highlighting Kenya's interest in speeding up the return of nearly 500,000 Somali refugees to their home country. – Time
To read more, please visit the Time site here

Hollande honours African role in France's WWI fight
As France launched commemorations for next year's centenary anniversary of WWI, President François Hollande said Thursday that no soldier should be "forgotten" in recognition of the sacrifices made by African troops in the fight for France. – France 24
To read more, please visit the France 24 site here

Kenya: Nairobi reports family planning gains
As the International Family Planning Conference begins in Addis Ababa, Nairobi has reported what authorities have called a significant increase in the number of clients using family planning services. At a briefing in the city, Nairobi's county reproductive health coordinator, Angela Njiru Moki, said there had been an 11 percent increase in the number of clients in the year to 2012. – allAfrica
To read more, please visit the allAfrica site here