Africa 

United Nations, African Union reiterate commitment to Sudan, as joint mission ends operations

In a joint statement on Thursday, Secretary-General António Guterres and Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat also called on all Sudanese actors to ensure the safe and orderly drawdown of African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) over the next six months and the ensuing period of liquidation.  “The establishment of this unique hybrid mission was a historic undertaking, through which… Read More
Africa 

UN confirms closure of Darfur peacekeeping mission

In a statement released on Wednesday, UNAMID confirmed the decision to close the mission, which followed the unanimous adoption of a Security Council resolution on 22 December, and progress made by the transitional Government of Sudan in addressing the conflict in Darfur. In October, a milestone peace agreement was reached between the Sudanese authorities and two armed groups in Darfur,… Read More
Africa 

Millions of children in crisis hotspots ‘on the brink of famine’, warns UNICEF

All of these countries and regions are experiencing “dire humanitarian crises” while also grappling with intensifying food insecurity, the coronavirus pandemic and, with the exception of the Central Sahel, “a looming famine”, according to the UN agency.   “For countries reeling from the consequences of conflicts, disasters and climate change, COVID-19 has turned a nutrition crisis into an imminent catastrophe,”… Read More
Africa 

End arrests of political opponents in Uganda: UN independent experts

The concerns, raised by the experts on Tuesday, come amid an uptick in violence ahead of Uganda’s 14 January presidential election and includes reports of the death of an opposition politician’s bodyguard along with injuries sustained by three journalists hit by tear gas canisters on Sunday. “We are gravely concerned by the election-related violence, the excessive use of force by… Read More
Africa 

25,000 refugees in unsettled Tigray region receive urgent UN food supplies

“Families, women, men, children — even new-borns — have been cut off from supplies and essential services for many weeks, so this distribution was urgently needed,” said Ann Encontre, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Representative in Ethiopia. In coordination with federal Ethiopian authorities, a convoy of 18 trucks delivered nearly 250 metric tons of corn soya blend, grains, pulses… Read More
Africa 

Niger: UN chief urges security forces to protect civilians during polls

In a statement by his spokesperson, issued on the eve of the polls, Secretary-General António Guterres commended the Government and people of the west African nation for working to ensure timely elections despite significant security and humanitarian challenges, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  Mr. Guterres also called on all stakeholders “to ensure that the elections are held in a safe, peaceful… Read More
Africa 

UN chief urges peaceful, credible elections in Central African Republic

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres urged all actors “to refrain from any action, including violence, hate speech and incitement to violence, that could threaten human lives and undermine the electoral process and national stability.”  As Central Africans prepare to take part in the general elections on 27 December, @antonioguterres calls on all stakeholders to ensure… Read More
Africa 

Central African Republic: UN rights office warns of ‘escalating violence’ ahead of Sunday poll 

“We are deeply alarmed by reports of escalating violence stoked by political grievances and hate speech, resulting in the forced displacement of civilians, including to neighbouring countries”, Liz Throssell, a Geneva-based spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said in statement on Wednesday.  Instability in CAR dates back decades, and violence has displaced hundreds… Read More
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