For the Democratic Republic of Congo, still gripped by war, there's little hope for much change in the coming year. The world's largest UN peacekeeping force of about 20,000 troops is in the country but appears largely ineffective. Some say it is even made life worse for the population who have suffered attacks by both opposition and government forces. Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow is in Kiwanja, in North Kivu, where the fear of murder and rape is a daily reality.
The World Cup football tournament kicks off in one week, and host South Africa is busy putting on the finishing touches. But not everyone is looking forward to the tournament. Authorites in cities including Cape Town are being accused of clearing the poor from the streets - to create a good impression for visiting fans. Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa has more.