Tag: UN Africa News

Since the first case on the continent was identified nearly two years ago, Africa has faced four waves of COVID-19, each with higher peaks or more total cases than the previous one.    These surges were mainly driven by new variants which, though highly transmissible, were not necessarily more fatal.     Against the odds  On average, each wave was… Read More

“There is much more conversation and dialogue and talk around the national dialogue itself and the way to peace”, Amina Mohammed told journalists attending a press conference at the airport, as she left the capital Addis Ababa.  Stressing the Secretary-General’s call for a cessation of hostilities and for a pathway to peace, she noted how “the talks continue and there is certainly less hostility than there… Read More

Delivering its judgement, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) broke down the compensation, awarding the DRC $225 million for damage to persons, which includes loss of life, rape, recruitment of child soldiers and displacement of civilians.  The country will also receive $40 million for damage to property, and $60 million for damage to natural resources, including the looting and plundering… Read More

Following the African Union Summit on Saturday, where she represented the Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed left on Sunday for Amhara, one of northern regions affected by the violence which erupted in November 2020, between Government forces and those allied with separatists in Tigray.  She met with a range of people, including the Vice President of Amhara, and witnessed first-hand how the United Nations is trying to assist those most in need.  “There is a lot… Read More

“Following deadly attacks last week and further attempts over the weekend, there is significant risk that other IDP sites could be attacked as well,” Spokesperson Liz Throssell told journalists in Geneva.  🇨🇩#DRC: We are extremely concerned by recurring incidents of deadly ethnically-motivated attacks on internally displaced people’s camps by armed groups in the east. We call on authorities to urgently… Read More

Three consecutive failed rainy seasons in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, have decimated crops and caused abnormally high livestock deaths, while, shortages of water and pasture are forcing families from their homes and triggering conflict between communities. “Harvests are ruined, livestock are dying, and hunger is growing as recurrent droughts affect the Horn of Africa”, said Michael Dunford, Regional Director in… Read More

Tunisian President Kais Saied announced his decision to dissolve the Council on Sunday, which is mandated to ensure the independence of the judicial system and tasked with appointing most of the nation’s judges. Ms. Bachelet responded by underscoring the importance of the separation of powers and independence of the country’s judiciary, saying that the move seriously undermines the rule of… Read More

Recent unrest in the capital Ouagadougou surrounding the military coup, is just the latest example of instability in Burkina Faso, whose citizens have been facing turmoil for over a decade. By the end of 2021, there were over 1.5 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in the land-locked West African nation, with the country’s Centre-North and Sahel regions the worst affected.… Read More

António Guterres also argued that, for the last 20 years, the African Union (AU) “has helped to bring this hope to life, in order to enable the continent to realize its enormous potential.” The UN chief addressed the 35th Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU, taking place in Addis Ababa this weekend, via a video message.  He… Read More

The crisis is causing additional strain in Africa’s fragile Sahel region, already plagued by political instability, widespread violence, food shortages and the climate emergency.  The Sahel is contending with an influx of refugees from Burkina Faso, fleeing vicious attacks by armed groups. The region is already plagued by political instability, widespread violence, food shortages & disproportionately impacted by the climate… Read More