President Joseph Kabila has said he will guarantee security for all citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo after a peace agreement was signed on Tuesday. Under a complex deal, Mr Kabila will stay in his post for two years, but rebel forces and the political opposition will be given government portfolios, including three of the four vice presidential posts.
Related Link and Background:
*Deal to end Africa's worst war
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2582239.stm
* Leaders prepare for government posts
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/central_africa/0,1009,49592,00.html
* Peace deal carries seeds of conflict
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?a=37&o=13555

Resurgences of malaria in East Africa are linked to rising temperatures over the past few decades, according to a new analysis. The findings in this week's issue of Nature challenge the results of a study published earlier this year. The authors of the first study found no significant connection between climate change and malaria prevalence in the region. But an international team of scientists now says that global warming and malaria prevalence are indeed linked, and that the original study's conclusions were flawed by its "inappropriate use" of climate data.

A non-governmental organisation filed a lawsuit in November against 21 multinational corporations and leading international banks for helping prop up the apartheid state. The Khulumani Support Group (Khulumani) filed the suit in its name as well as that of 85 of its 33000 members, in the New York Eastern District Court. This feature, by Jubilee SA and in Question and Answer format, answers some of the common questions around the lawsuit and delves into the issues raised.

The African National Congress (ANC) has shrugged off accusations that it is legitimising the lawlessness in Zimbabwe by inviting President Mugabe's Zanu PF to its congress this week.

The MDC has warned of a mass uprising against the government, which could lead to serious civil strife. The warning comes after a nationwide survey conducted by the MDC which showed people were determined to take any action possible to end what they called Zanu PF's oppressive rule.

Like the 1997 elections, the 2003 elections in Liberia in which Charles Taylor will serve as either a "candidate or the presiding authority" will be another false start, says Dr. Amos Sawyer. He noted that Mr. Taylor would not help in creating the enabling environment needed for free and fair elections in 2003. The Former Interim President of Liberia (1990 - 1994) was speaking at the Forum entitled "Liberia - Eye of the Hurricane" hosted by the United States Institute of Peace.

A political grouping has been revived during the ongoing Somalia National Peace and Reconciliation conference in Eldoret. The delegates from the Sade community, also known as the Marehan, declared the relaunch of the Somali Democratic Party (SDP).

His detractors call Uhuru Kenyatta a political novice, untried, untested and inexperienced. He has never held elected office and his one stab at being elected backfired. Kenyatta’s critics also accuse him of being a puppet of the outgoing president. But his supporters say he will bring new blood to KANU and is precisely the fresh start Kenya needs.

The human rights advocacy group, Amnesty International (AI), has said it is "gravely concerned" that up to 115 people face imminent execution for their alleged role in the January 2001 assassination of the former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Laurent-Desire Kabila.

Following weeks of concern over low rainfall and the development of moderate El Nino conditions in Southern Africa, a drought warning has been issued by the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) Drought Monitoring Centre (DMC).

After weeks of wrangling over the number of participants attending the Somali peace talks in the Kenyan town of Eldoret, faction leaders have agreed to a maximum figure of 300.

Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi has again denied planning to rule Kenya from behind the scenes after he retires. In the last major official function of his presidency, Moi told a large independence day rally in Nairobi that he planned to use his time trying to end wars in Africa.

The nine trade union leaders detained by the Zimbabwe regime of President Robert Mugabe on 9 December have now been released. This follows protests to the Zimbabwe authorities from trade unions around the world.

For the first time the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) has identified the countries guilty of most consistently abusing and defying international housing rights law. The list includes Burma (Myanmar), Colombia, Croatia, Guatemala, India, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, USA and Zimbabwe.

Supporters stood at attention and sang the old Transvaal Republic's anthem as eight alleged rightwingers appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court last Thursday afternoon on charges of high treason, terrorism, and sabotage.

One avenue of investigation into South Africa's controversial arms probe has been closed, with accountant Ian Pierce being found not guilty of failing to produce financial records in connection with his company Futuristic Business Solutions (FBS).

Libya firmly denied last Saturday that its troops have entered the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in support of rebel groups, following a protest by the DRC to the UN Security Council.

The people of Madagascar are voting for the first time since the disputed elections almost a year ago that threw the island into political turmoil. The election is for candidates to Madagascar's parliament - but it is being seen as a crucial test of popularity and legitimacy for President Ravalomanana.

South Africa is now eight years into its inclusive democracy. The overall direction and success of this democratic experiment can be judged with various types of evidence. This report focuses on one type - the opinions of South African citizens about the overall direction of their new democracy. “We believe that the views of ordinary citizens, as the ultimate consumers of what democratic governments supply, can offer perhaps the most conclusive assessment of the quality of democratic governance,” says Idasa.

The United Nations food agency said Tuesday it could be forced to cut aid to thousands of hungry refugees in Kenya unless it receives help from donors in coming weeks.