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Daily News on Issues Affecting Africa

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President Obama's trip to Africa; 'anarchy' in the Central African Republic; technology supporting agriculture in Kenya; the mineral paradox in East Africa; emergency meeting of rival political leaders in Madagascar; and release of terrorist suspects in Nigeria

Continue reading for an overview of today's news.

Obama to take first major Africa trip in late June
"President Barack Obama will go on a first African tour next month, visiting Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa, but his itinerary released on Monday bypasses Kenya, an ancestral homeland.
Obama disappointed many Africans by spending only a few hours in sub-Saharan Africa — in Ghana — during his first term, but is keen to implement a sweeping new regional strategy, prioritizing democracy and economic reform..."
 To continue reading, visit the East African site here

Central African Republic falls into 'anarchy'
"Central African Republic has collapsed into "a state of anarchy" and the UN Security Council must impose sanctions and mandate a neutral security force to restore order, a UN envoy said Wednesday.
UN representative to the strife-torn country Margaret Vogt painted a grim picture with death stalking the streets since rebels ousted President Francois Bozize on March 24..."
To continue reading, visit the Nation site here

Kenyan farmers reap the benefits of technology
"An increasing number of young Kenyans are developing software, apps and cellphone-based programmes to help small-scale farmers increase their agricultural skills and yields. At the most recent PivotEast, East Africa's premier mobile start-ups competition and conference, held in June 2012, three out of five finalists were young entrepreneurs who had created agrarian apps..."
 To continue reading, visit the Mail & Guardian site here

East Africa's mineral paradox: Want among plenty
"Just how much do the East African Community governments stand to gain from oil and gas exploration and extraction deals with foreign oil majors?

Will the governments use the revenue to lift millions of people out of poverty? Will the return on investment on the countries' natural resources and the huge government spending on infrastructure ease exploration and extraction?

These are the questions in the minds of many but a new survey by the African Union-backed African Progress Panel paints a worrying scenario: International mineral extraction companies, mainly from Australia, Canada and China, are using complex ownership models to avoid tax in East African countries..."
To continue reading, visit the East African site here

Madagascar security forces summon political rivals
"Madagascar's security forces have summoned the island's rival political leaders to an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss theircontroversial candidacies for upcoming presidential polls.
The heads of the police and armed forces signed a document "inviting" strongman Andry Rajoelina, Lalao Ravalomanana, the wife of his rival, and former president Didier Ratsiraka to talks..."
To continue reading, visit the Nation site here

Nigeria to release all women held for 'terrorism'
"Nigeria said Tuesday it would release several suspects held for "terrorist activities," including all women in custody, in what it called a peace gesture to the Islamists it is battling in the north.
The announcement came as Nigeria pressed ahead with a nearly week-old offensive against Islamist insurgents in the northeast of Africa's most populous nation, while the Red Cross said at least 2,400 people had fled violence in the region..."
To continue reading, visit the Nation site 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