Congolese awaited a visit from China's new President Xi Jinping to the impoverished Republic of Congo starting on Friday, with many expressing doubt that he will bring job opportunities with him. "Let him bring work! The majority of young people here are unemployed," said Edgar, a 34-year-old carpenter in the capital Brazzaville, in an effort to be hopeful. But others bitterly noted that was not the pattern for Chinese investment. When Chinese companies install themselves in Africa, they often bring Chinese workers with them at the expense of the local workforce.

Rebels in the Central African Republic said Wednesday they would resume fighting after a deadline given to the government to meet their demands under a peace deal expired. "The ultimatum is over. We will return to arms," Colonel Djouma Narkoyo, one of the military chiefs of the Seleka rebel coalition, told AFP. "That doesn't mean that we're going to attack here or there now," he said. But, he added, the rebels are working on a new strategy.