Tag: UN Africa News

“We understand that there are strongly held divergent views among the leaders and political tensions are high in this pre-electoral period”, said James Swan, Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).  “Yet, it is precisely during such moments that it is most necessary for the nation’s leaders to engage in dialogue.”  He described the current… Read More

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF urged governments on the continent to promote a safe return to the classroom while also limiting spread of the virus.  “Schools have paved the way to success for many Africans. They also provide a safe haven for many children in challenging circumstances to develop and thrive,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director… Read More

The grounding last month of the MV Wakashio in an environmentally sensitive and biodiverse area, has endangered marine life, food security, and health in Mauritius, as well as its $1.6 billion tourism industry, already hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.  “There’s a need for universal participation in the existing international legal framework, where all nations are party to agreements, so… Read More

The boat, carrying over 80 people sank on 17 August after its engine exploded off the coast of Zwara, in western Libya. Some 37 survivors were rescued by local fishermen and detained after disembarking.  The tragedy is the largest recorded shipwreck off the Libyan coast this year, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).  IOM… Read More

UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to follow the developments “very closely and with deep concern”, his Spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told journalists on Wednesday.  The UN chief had earlier condemned the mutiny, while calling for constitutional order and the rule of law to be immediately restored.  Security Council meeting  The Security Council will also hold a closed session on Wednesday where the… Read More

Amidst deteriorating security and the lack of a judicial system in the north African nation, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Michele Bachelet, has appointed Mohamed Auajjar from Morocco, Tracy Robinson from Jamaica and Chaloka Beyani from Zambia and the UK, to conduct an Independent Fact-Finding Mission. “This body of experts will serve as an essential mechanism to effectively… Read More

Soldiers had initially staged a mutiny at a base near the capital, Bamako, before subsequently detaining President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and other members of his government, according to media reports. “The Secretary-General strongly condemns these actions and calls for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and rule of law in Mali”, his Spokesperson said in a statement. “To this end,… Read More

The West African country is now the world’s fastest-growing humanitarian and protection crisis, with five per cent of the population displaced. A devastating milestone. One million people forced to flee in Burkina Faso. Host populations are at a breaking point. They need our help. https://t.co/XeWfGSBTxm — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) August 18, 2020 “Attacks by armed groups in… Read More

“This brazen attack targeted civilians, including government workers, peacefully enjoying their Sunday evening, causing many casualties”, the UN Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, said on Monday. “This savagery has no place in the country being built by Somalis and it merits the strongest condemnation”, he added. ‘Abhorrent attack’ In recent months, the extremist group Al-Shabaab, which claimed responsibility for… Read More

Ruth Tindyebwa, a market vendor in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, was badly affected by the government’s lockdown measures, imposed on March 22. Much of her custom came from people walking past her stall on the way to work. After the restrictions were put into place, this source of income dried up. Things have now turned around, however, thanks to a… Read More