Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for December 31st

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 potential peace talks and further violence in South Sudan, the situation in CAR, Cameroonian policy toward Boko Haram, leadership in the DRC, complications in reintegrating Somali refugees from Kenya, political squabbles in Senegal, and action to better integrate the East African Community.

South Sudan rebel 'agrees to talks after taking Bor'
South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has told the BBC he will enter peace talks, claiming his forces have captured the key town of Bor. He had previously demanded 11 detainees accused of being co-conspirators in the coup plan be freed before negotiations. He denies there was a plot - alleged by his rival President Salva Kiir. – BBC
To read more, please visit the BBC site here.

Rebel forces attack key city in South Sudan
Rebel forces attacked the South Sudanese city of Bor on Tuesday, engaging in fierce fighting with government forces over the city, a strategic location seen as a gateway to Juba, the capital. – New York Times
To read more, please visit the New York Times site here.

Thousands seek refuge in Bangui airport camp
More than 100,000 people displaced by inter-religious violence in Central African Republic are sheltering at a makeshift camp at Bangui airport, a medical charity has said, calling for urgent aid. Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) said it was receiving between 15 and 20 wounded a day at the site from fighting in the riverside capital, where the deployment of French and African peacekeepers in early December has failed to halt violence. Attacks by Muslim Seleka rebels, who seized power in March, and Christian militias have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced an estimated 400,000 in Bangui this month.  – Al Jazeera
To read more, please visit the Al Jazeera site here.

Cameroon takes steps against Boko Haram
The authorities in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital, have set up tighter border controls in the Far North region to guard against infiltration by jihadist Boko Haram fighters from neighbouring Nigeria as civilians flee insurgent attacks and a Nigerian military offensive, seeking safety across the border in Cameroon. A rapid response military unit has also been deployed and beefed up in the northern regions and some tourist hotels now have armed guards.  – IRIN News
To read more, please visit the IRIN News site here.

Government forces 'regain control' of DR Congo capital
Government troops have regained control of several buildings, including the airport and state TV headquarters, in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa after an assault by armed men on Monday, officials said. "More than 70 attackers were killed, including around 50 in Kinshasa," government spokesman Lambert Mende told AFP. – France 24
To read more, please visit the France 24 site here.

Challenges abound in voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees from Kenya
Kenya, Somalia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are facing serious challenges in creating favourable conditions for Somali refugees in Kenya to voluntarily return home under a tripartite agreement reached in November. Currently, there are more than 500,000 registered Somali refugees in Kenya, according to UNHCR, and many others are believed to be undocumented in Nairobi and other areas. – Sabahi
To read more, please visit the Sabahi site here.

Senegal media boss in custody after criticizing president
The owner of one of Senegal's largest media groups has been detained after accusing President Macky Sall of building up wealth through corruption, the company said on Tuesday. Sidy Lamine Niass, founder and CEO of Walfadjri, was taken into custody on Monday after being summoned to a police station in Dakar, company spokesman Abdourahmane Camara said. – AFP on Yahoo
To read more, please visit the Yahoo site here.

New pacts ease path toward East African single currency
Moves toward deeper economic integration among the countries of the East African Community (EAC) — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda — have gained new impetus from agreements sealed in recent weeks. The signing of a Monetary Union Protocol by community heads of state in Kampala, Uganda, on November 30 is a milestone outlining a ten-year roadmap toward monetary union. The formal launch of the East African Cross Border Payment System on November 25 is a significant operational step increasing monetary and economic integration. – International Monetary Fund
To read more, please visit the IMF site here.