<div id="readability-page-1"><div>The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Monday. - - - - -GLOBAL MARKETSAsian stocks tumbled in early trading on Monday as investors reined in risk-taking at the start of a week sprinkled with central bank decisions and data releases. WORLD OIL PRICESOil prices rose on Monday, recouping part of last week's 4% slide, as concerns over potential disruptions from escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions outweighed lingering oversupply worries and the effects of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. EMERGING MARKETSFor the top emerging markets news, double click on AFRICA STOCKSFor the latest news on South African stocks, click on SOUTH AFRICA MARKETSThe South African rand was steady on Friday, supported by higher gold prices, while traders looked ahead to consumer inflation data due next week for signals on the health of Africa's most-industrialised economy. RWANDA-DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO WARRwanda's actions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo clearly violate the peace deal signed in Washington under U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday in the latest U.S. admonition to the East African country. NIGERIA ENERGY Nigeria has issued permits to 28 companies under a programme that aims to end routine gas flaring to cut carbon emissions and use some of the gas to generate power. MALI MINING A Malian judge has ordered the return of possession of 3 metric tons of gold seized nearly a year ago from Barrick Mining's Loulo-Gounkoto complex to the Canadian miner, according to two people familiar with the matter. For the latest precious metals report click on For the latest base metals report click on For the latest crude oil report click on ((Compiled by Nairobi Newsroom)) ((Email: nairobi.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))</div></div>

African markets on Dec 15 are influenced by global market trends, oil price fluctuations, and political events. Asian stocks fell due to risk aversion, while oil prices rose amid U.S.-Venezuela tensions. The South African rand remains steady, supported by gold prices. Rwanda's actions in Congo violate a peace deal, and Nigeria issues permits to reduce gas flaring. Mali orders the return of seized gold to Barrick Mining.

African Markets - Factors to watch on Dec 15