Daily News on the Issues Affecting Africa for March 4th

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 Boko Haram's activity in Cameroon, UN policies regarding CAR, Angolan political leadership, plans for AGOA, Ugandan military movements in Somalia, homosexuality across the continent, and the water shortage in the DRC.

Nigeria's president now blames Cameroon for Boko Haram insurgency
The President of Nigeria is accusing its eastern neighbor, Cameroon of not cooperating with it and allowing cross-border pursuit of Boko Haram terrorists it claims return to Cameroon after attacks in Nigeria. The Boko Haram insurgency has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria since the President assumed power over Africa's most populous nation. The economy of the north has been seriously impacted by the uncontrolled spats of terror and the President has come under increasing pressure to act or resign as his administration loses its remaining credibility within Nigeria and abroad. – Naij News
To read more, please visit the Naij site here.

UN proposes 12,000-strong force for C. African Republic
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommended Monday deploying nearly 12,000 peacekeepers in Central African Republic to re-establish order in a country that has erupted in chaos and sectarian killing. – Yahoo News
To read more, please visit the Yahoo News site here.

Angolan leader 'to transfer presidency to his cousin'
Angolan leader Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 71, is reportedly working to pass the presidency to his cousin Manuel Domingos Vicente who is also the country's deputy president.  According to Africa Report, former Angolan finance minister Fernado Heito told Radio e Televisão Portuguesa that the president wanted a peaceful transfer of power where stability was assured. – News 24
To read more, please visit the News 24 site here.

Obama admin looks to reshape, renew AGOA
The 14-year-old US preferential trade programme for Africa could be reshaped as the Obama administration drafts recommendations for renewal of the initiative. Florizelle Liser, the top US trade official for Africa, told a Washington forum that the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) could be transformed into a set of free-trade agreements with specific countries and regional groupings.  – The East African
To read more, please visit the East African site here.

Ugandan troops to form UN guard force in Somalia
Uganda will send about 400 extra troops to Somalia to protect U.N. personnel in the capital Mogadishu, officials said on Monday. The United Nations requested a guard force last year after al Shabaab militants attacked the main U.N. compound in Mogadishu in June, killing at least 22 people. – Reuters
To read more, please visit the Reuters site here.

Stop imposing gay rights on Africa – Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has reportedly taken a swipe at the West for "imposing" gay rights on Africa. According to Africa Review, Koroma, who is "usually diplomatic", said laws on homosexuality should be the decision of individual countries. – News 24
To read more, please visit the News 24 site here.

In Congo, water is everywhere, except in the taps
Drinking water should be plentiful in Congo-Brazzaville, yet most people living in the country's capital are forced to resort to private wells.  Not only does the Congo have abundant groundwater resources, it's also bordered by the one of the world's most powerful rivers. But power failures coupled with an insufficient water supply mean that many of Brazzaville's residents have no other choice. – France 24
To read more, please visit the France 24 site here.