Sudanese authorities in the disputed area of Abyei say at least 32 people, including a UN peacekeeper, were killed after gunmen stormed local villages. The Information Minister for Abyei, Bolis Kuoch, said more than 20 others were wounded when men opened fire on Sunday morning. He said UN peacekeepers intervened …
Read More »UN special envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes resigns
The United Nations special envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes is stepping down, more than three months after Sudan declared him non grata after disagreements between rival factions erupted into war, Reuters reported. “I am grateful to the Secretary-General for this opportunity and for his confidence in me, but I have …
Read More »Russia vetoes UN resolution to extend Mali sanctions
Russia, Bamako’s ally, vetoed on Wednesday a UN Security Council resolution extending sanctions against Malians threatening peace in the country, which the Malian junta was demanding be lifted. The resolution which planned to extend for one year the sanctions regime put in place in 2017 against individuals endangering the 2015 …
Read More »UN Security Council warns of rising sea levels
Concerned about rising sea levels, the UN Security Council met on Tuesday to discuss the issue of rising sea levels and its corollaries on peace and global security. UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres expressed Tuesday, his concern about the rise in sea levels. “Rising seas are swallowing up the future,” …
Read More »UN extends peacekeeping mission in South Sudan
The United Nations Security Council has announced that it has extended the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for one year. The majority voted for the extension but Russia and China abstained from the vote, the AP news agency reported. The UN retained the 19,000-strong contingent comprising of …
Read More »Egypt: president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi denies backing Sudan coup
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has broken his silence over the military coup in neighbouring Sudan and the ongoing protests calling for civilian rule. Egypt has faced accusations of siding with Sudan’s head of military, Abdel Fattah al Burhan but President Sisi dismissed the claims. “Just because we have not …
Read More »Ethiopia: four irish diplomats expelled
Authorities in Ethiopia have expelled four Irish diplomats because of Ireland’s stance on the ongoing conflict in the nation and humanitarian crisis that has left millions in urgent need of food assistance A statement from the Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the four have been given a week to …
Read More »Arms embargo on Central African Republic extended for one year
The Security Council of the United Nations has extended by one year an arms embargo against the Central African Republic. The vote took place on Thursday in New York among the 15 council members, with 14 votes in favour and an abstention by China. Nicolas de Riviere, the French ambassador …
Read More »Rights group calls for investigation into war crimes in Tigray
Human Rights Watch has added its voice to calls for an urgent United Nations-backed inquiry into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Ethiopian region of Tigray. The lobby group accuses Ethiopian and Eritrean forces of indiscriminately shelling the city of Aksum in November. Echoing a report last …
Read More »Morocco suspends relations with German embassy
Morocco has announced that it has suspended contacts with the German embassy in the country over its stance on Western Sahara. The country’s foreign affairs ministry cited “deep disagreements concerning crucial issues,” without elaborating, reports BBC News. A senior Moroccan diplomat cited Germany’s reaction to the US decision in December …
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