Africa 

Africa Free Trade Area, likely spur for growth and development 

The Economic Development in Africa Report 2021, underscores the importance of  infrastructure financing that helps link up urban and rural areas, and equal access to opportunities and resources. The free trade area, which began officially in January, is one of the flagship projects of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. “The AfCFTA has immense potential to spur economic growth and transform… Read More
Africa 

Seven UN peacekeepers killed in latest Mali attack 

The peacekeepers were part of a convoy travelling from Douentza to Sevare, informed the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. António Guterres strongly condemns this heinous attack, he told correspondents in New York at the regular daily briefing.   Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the UN chief offered his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Togo, and wished a full recovery to all those who were injured.  “The Secretary-General also calls… Read More
Africa 

DR Congo: Limitations to ‘strictly military approach’ to stem violence, mission chief warns 

Bintou Keita argued that, for stability to return to eastern Congo, “the State must succeed in restoring and maintaining the confidence of the people in their ability to protect, administer, deliver justice and meet their basic needs.”  Ms. Keita, who also acts as the head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the country (MONUSCO), said that she has stressed this regularly in her exchanges with the Head of State and with the… Read More
Africa 

Severe cash crunch threatens WFP operations in Ethiopia

WFP urgently needs $579 million to deliver food aid and livelihood support to some 12 million Ethiopians and refugees.  This includes $316 million for food and nutrition assistance to nearly four million people in the war-ravaged north.   The Ethiopian authorities, together with WFP and other partners, are struggling to address the hunger crisis in the country.  Food aid ‘critical’ … Read More
Africa 

The Gambia: Guterres calls for ‘credible and transparent’ election 

In a statement released by his Spokesperson, António Guterres calls “on the electoral management body, candidates, political party leaders and their followers, through their conduct, to ensure a peaceful environment conducive to a credible, inclusive and transparent” election process.   According to news agencies, there are six candidates in the race to preside over the 2.2 million people who live in the West African nation.  Adama Barrow, the incumbent, defeated Yahya… Read More
Africa 

Somalia: Security Council adopts resolution to keep pirates at bay

The Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation in the country illustrates that joint counter-piracy efforts have resulted in a steady decline in attacks and hijackings since 2011. However, although piracy off the coast of Somalia has been “repressed”, the ongoing threat of resurgence remains. As such – under Chapter VII of the Charter, which provides for enforcement action – the… Read More
Africa 

Rights experts call for end to violence against women in Tigray conflict

In a statement issued on Friday, they expressed grave concern about the widespread sexual and gender-based violence attributed to Ethiopian, Eritrean, Tigray and Amhara forces, as well as allied militia.  These incidents constitute some of the most egregious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, according to the experts.  ‘A deliberate strategy’  “They appear to have been used as part… Read More
Africa 

Violence in Cameroon, impacting over 700,000 children shut out of school 

Two out of three schools are closed in the North-West and South-West regions of the country. On 24 November, four children and one teacher were killed in an attack in Ekondo Titi, in the South-West.  Lockdown  A recent lockdown imposed by a non-State armed group, from 15 September to 2 October, limited access to basic services including health and education.  Over 700,000 children have been impacted… Read More
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