Tag: UN Africa News

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

Fighting broke out on 18 January in the town of Tongo – reportedly between unidentified armed groups and federal forces – and the nearby camp hosting 10,300 refugees was looted and burned. “All humanitarian staff had to evacuate, and access to the area – including the two camps, Tongo and Gure-Shembola – remains impossible”, UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov told journalists at… Read More

“Frequent cyclones during the agricultural season mean loss of harvest, high food prices and increased food insecurity”, said WFP Deputy Regional Director Margaret Malu. #TropicalStormAna has led to destruction and loss of life in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in late January. Now, Tropical Cyclone #Batsirai is an imminent threat to many countries. Humanitarians are on the ground supporting the… Read More

UN chief António Guterres strongly condemned Tuesday’s assault by Coopérative pour le dévelopement du Congo (CODECO) militias – an association of Lendu groups – against the Savo site, located in the Djugu territory.  At least 58 people were killed and 36 injured.  Robust patrols continue  Peacekeepers serving with the UN mission in the country, MONUSCO, continue to conduct robust patrols in… Read More

According to the UN Mission in the country (MONUSCO), the attack was carried out by members of the so-called Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) – a loose association of various Lendu militia groups.  The head of the mission, Bintou Keita, strongly condemned the attack, that also left 36 injured.  MONUSCO dispatched a patrol to the site upon receiving an alert about the attack. They also notified national security forces as well as… Read More

Speaking to journalists in New York, António Guterres said that it would allow for effective humanitarian access and relief to all affected populations throughout Ethiopia.  “And these actions will help pave the way to a much-needed inclusive national dialogue involving all Ethiopians”, he added, noting that “the people of Ethiopia continue to suffer greatly from ongoing conflict and bloodshed.” As the UN chief prepares to… Read More

“We reiterate the Secretary-General’s opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances,” Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a note to correspondents.    On Saturday, a Congolese military court sentenced 51 people to death for the killing of Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp, former members of the UN Group of Experts on the DRC.  Ms. Catalán, who… Read More

The visit by Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, was announced on Friday, just hours after regional bloc ECOWAS suspended the country from its membership.  UN chief António Guterres continues to follow developments in Burkina Faso, his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told journalists in New York.  Appeal for calm  “The Secretary-General continues… Read More

Meanwhile, across all three conflict-affected regions of the north, more than nine million people now need humanitarian food assistance, the highest number so far, since conflict erupted in November 2020, between Government and rebel forces.  According to the Tigray Emergency Food Security Assessment, 83 per cent of people are food insecure. Families are exhausting all means to feed themselves, with three quarters… Read More

According to Martin Griffiths, nearly 15 million people in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, will need humanitarian assistance this year. That’s four million people more than a year before.  The UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) led by Mr. Griffiths, and its partners, will need close to $2 billion for the humanitarian response in these three countries alone.  In the Central… Read More