Clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese army have been resuming in the province of North Kivu since early October. Against this backdrop, the UN peacekeeping mission in the east of the country, MONUSCO, has announced the launch of Operation Springbok: a joint MONUSCO-Congolese armed forces operation aimed at halting the M23 advance.
Also, Somalia has been hit by its worst floods in decades. Over 300,000 people have been displaced and at least 29 killed. Experts warn the toll is likely to rise. The extreme weather has also triggered landslides in Kenya and Ethiopia, submerging villages and farms.
Finally, Benin is a mainly Christian country, but people's ancient belief in the voodoo religion is embedded in the culture. Believers see forests as sacred homes to the spirits and places of worship, but many of these are disappearing as urbanisation and the demand for agriculture increases.
