Africa 

Pope Francis in DR Congo: WFP highlights Africa’s biggest hunger crisis

Millions of Congolese face severe food insecurity, particularly in the northeast, where fighting has uprooted millions of people. As part of his three-day DRC visit, the Pope is expected to meet families displaced by conflict in the east.  This staggering number includes more than half a million uprooted from their homes in recent months, the UN World Food Programme, WFP has… Read More
Africa 

Fake medicines kill almost 500,000 sub-Saharan Africans a year: UNODC report

A lack of access to healthcare and medicines has been fuelling a host of opportunists aimed at filling the gaps, the report Trafficking in Medical Products in the Sahel shows. But, this supply and an imbalance in demand, has triggered deadly results. Bitter pill of trafficking In sub-Saharan Africa, as many as 267,000 deaths per year are linked to falsified and substandard antimalarial medicines,… Read More
Africa 

Peace in South Sudan hinges on local accountability, landmark Peacebuilding Commission meeting hears

“Our priority in 2023 is to take a ‘peace to people’ approach with the Government’s facilitation,” Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peacebuilding of South Sudan, told the Commission, via video link. Addressing the ambassadorial-level meeting on building peace in communities through local governance and community reconciliation in South Sudan, he said efforts included tackling such persistent challenges as intercommunal violence,… Read More
Africa 

Mali: Independent rights experts call for probe into Wagner Group’s alleged crimes

The rights experts – who include the UN Working Group on Mercenaries – said that a “climate of terror and complete impunity” has surrounded Wagner’s activities in the northwest African country. Systematic killings “We are particularly worried by credible reports that over the course of several days in late March 2022, Malian armed forces accompanied by military personnel believed to… Read More
Africa 

Mali: ‘Critical year’ begins in country’s return to constitutional order

The envoy was addressing ambassadors at what he called a “unique juncture” in the efforts to promote lasting peace and security in the West African country.    “Mali is ushering in a critical year in terms of returning to constitutional order,” he said, with several votes scheduled starting in March.   Work in progress  Mr. Wane heads the UN mission… Read More
Africa 

Sudan: Progress in Darfur militia leader trial, but Government cooperation wanes

Presenting his latest report, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan updated ambassadors on proceedings against Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as “Ali Kushayb”, charged with 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.  These atrocities were allegedly committed during the Darfur conflict which began in 2003, pitting Sudanese Government forces, backed by militia groups known as the Janjaweed, against rebel… Read More
Africa 

Mali: WHO doctor seized by ‘unidentified assailants’, as UNHCR raises alarm over continuing violence

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a tweet posted on Tuesday that WHO was working with local authorities to investigate the abduction of Dr. Mahamadou Diawara, who had worked for the agency in the town for around three years, “and ensure our colleague’s quick return to his family.” WHO said in a statement that he had been “leading efforts to provide… Read More
Africa 

UN convenes Lake Chad countries, amid growing regional crisis

The UN describes the conference as a critical international forum for effectively dealing with the challenges faced by the region. These include increased insecurity, development deficits, humanitarian needs, and barriers to access to basic social services, production systems and humanitarian support. After nearly 13 years of conflict, armed groups continue to spread violence in the four countries that border the… Read More
Africa 

‘Let’s all become the champions the ocean needs’ – UN chief Guterres

“And by working as one, it’s a race we can win. Let’s all become the champions the ocean needs. Let’s end the ocean emergency and preserve this precious blue gift for our children and grandchildren,” urged the UN chief.   The Secretary-General was speaking from the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo, in São Vicente, a state-of-the-art facility that hosts large marine scientific… Read More
Africa 

In drought-stricken Cabo Verde, UN chief finds hope for creating sustainable oasis

For hours, António Guterres’ car had moved along a sinuous road, which opened against an arid landscape, but then one last curve, and a few hundred feet up a hill, the view outside his window bursts into myriad shades of green, as small terraces supported by stone walls filled with banana trees, palms and sugar cane, came into view, with silvery… Read More