2015, a look ahead: Africa
We've said goodbye to 2014. And what's next for 2015? We've asked four of our CBS News correspondents to survey the landscape as the New Year gets up to speed. Here is Debora Patta in Cape Town, South Africa:
They were the images of Africa that haunted us in 2014: the Boko Haram and the hundreds of girls they kidnapped in Nigeria; Oscar Pistorius; Ebola.
And as 2015 kicks off, there remain many open wounds that demand urgent attention.
The message from the Vice President at the U.S.-Africa Summit in the summer of 2014 was positive.
"It has never, ever been a good bet to bet against America, and America is betting on Africa," said Vice President Joe Biden.
- As foreign policy crises rage on, Obama turns attention to Africa (CBS News, 08/04/14)
- Obama urges young leaders to "update" Africa on women's equality (CBS News, 07/28/14)
Along the spectacularly beautiful South African coastline, one can see the best that countries like this have to offer -- and South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy in 2014. But detracting from the successes on the continent have been Ebola, militant Islamic violence, and a paucity of democratic states.
The Trial
In South Africa, headlines will likely be dominated again this year by the sensational trial of one-time para-Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius' shooting of his glamorous model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp behind a locked toilet door.
Convicted only of manslaughter and not murder, and sentenced to five years behind bars, Pistorius is unlikely to serve more than 10 months of that jail term. Expect the prosecution to continue its appeal against that ruling, in the hopes of getting a murder conviction and a longer jail term.
- Judge faces backlash over Pistorius verdict (09/16/14)
- South African prosecutors file appeal papers on Pistorius ruling (CBS News, 11/04/14)
- Could Oscar Pistorius face a new trial? (12/09/14)
#BringBackOurGirls
In Nigeria, more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the extremist militant group Boko Haram are still missing, while the group's attacks grow increasingly violent.
The Nigerian government's military strategy against the group appears to be fading, as they are out-manned and out-gunned by Boko Haram.
Together with falling oil prices and a tense presidential election, the country could be further destabilized this year.
- Kidnapped Nigeria school girls reportedly sold as brides to Islamic Boko Haram militants (04/30/14)
- How call to rescue kidnapped Nigerian girls spread around the world ("CBS Evening News," 05/07/14)
- Boko Haram mocks international "Bring Back our Girls" campaign ("CBS This Morning," 07/14/14)
- Dozens more Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists (10/27/14)
The Epidemic
But the biggest challenge facing this continent is ending Ebola. Experts believe the epidemic will continue for at least another six months.
But Dr. Dan Kelly, who recently returned from Sierra Leone, says he believes the race to develop Ebola vaccines provides some hope for ending the outbreak by the end of 2015.
- No Christmas for Ebola-ravaged Sierra Leone ("CBS Evening News," 12/25/14)
- Blood test for Ebola wins emergency FDA approval (CBS News, 12/29/14)
- Complete CBSNews.com coverage: Ebola
"While waiting for vaccines to roll out and become available in West Africa, we need to be providing care and we need to be doing the best we can to use traditional public health control measures," Dr. Kelly told CBS News. "Unless we do those things, so many more people will not just be infected, but die."
For children already orphaned by Ebola, a healthier future depends on that vaccine.