APO Group - Africa Newsroom / Press Release

Source: UN News | May 25, 2023

Arrest of top Rwandan genocide fugitive shows ‘justice will be done’

Fulgence Kayishema is alleged to have orchestrated the killing of approximately 2,000 Tutsi refugees at Nyange Catholic Church during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

One of the world’s most wanted genocide fugitives has been arrested after being on the run for more than two decades, the UN tribunal prosecuting war crimes committed in Rwanda announced on Thursday. Fulgence Kayishema is alleged to have orchestrated the killing of approximately 2,000 Tutsi refugees at Nyange Catholic Church during…

Source: UN News | May 25, 2023

United Nations (UN) and partners seek $7 billion to prevent catastrophe in the Horn of Africa

More than 43 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia continue to suffer through one of the worst droughts in recent history, caused by five consecutive seasons of poor rains

With “crisis atop of crisis” threatening millions in the Horn of Africa, the international community cannot afford to stand idly by, Secretary-General António Guterres said at a pledging event to raise $7 billion for the region, held at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday. More than 43 million people across…

Source: UN News | May 24, 2023

Türk Appeals to Sudan’s Warring Generals; Calls Out ‘Dangerous Anti-Rights Tendencies’ Worldwide

Mr. Türk called reports of sexual violence in Khartoum and Darfur “very troubling”

The “senseless” fighting in Sudan must stop now, and the warring generals have to insist on zero tolerance for sexual violence among their troops, the UN rights chief said on Wednesday. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk appealed to the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and of the Rapid…

Source: UN News | May 23, 2023

Ceasefire in Sudan could ‘pave the way’ to peace talks

The fighting throughout the country has resulted in “serious human rights abuses and violations” of international humanitarian law and undermined the protection of civilians

A crucial ceasefire poised to enter into force in restive Sudan on Monday evening should “pave the way” for peace talks to end the month-old conflict, the top UN official in the country has said. “Lives and infrastructure are being destroyed, and the security situation is impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid,” said Volker…

Source: UN News | May 22, 2023

Ghana Peacekeeper Named United Nation (UN) Military Gender Advocate of the Year

Captain Cecilia Erzuah, 32, who has served in Abyei since March last year, as the Commander of the Ghana Engagement Platoon, will receive the award from Secretary-General António Guterres

A Ghanaian peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) will receive the 2022 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, it was announced on Monday. Captain Cecilia Erzuah, 32, who has served in Abyei since March last year, as the Commander of the Ghana Engagement…

Source: UN News | May 19, 2023

Sudan emergency: One million now displaced in ongoing conflict

Over one million people have now been recorded as displaced, within Sudan or to neighboring countries

As heavy fighting continues in Sudan, UN humanitarians warned on Friday that more than one million people have now been forced to flee for their lives. A wave of deadly attacks reportedly targeted West Darfur’s capital, El-Geneina, in recent days, while the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said that more than…

Source: UN News | May 18, 2023

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) alert over ‘sickening’ levels of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Reports of gender-based violence (GBV) against girls and women there have increased by 37 per cent during the first three months of the year, compared to the same period a year ago

The UN Children’s Fund is calling for an urgent increase in funding to help tackle an escalating number of cases of sexual violence against children and women in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu province, where armed groups proliferate amidst heavy fighting in recent months. Reports of gender-based…

Source: UN News | May 17, 2023

Sudan crisis: United Nations continues to scale up aid, as security allows

The UN and humanitarian partners continue to scale up the aid response for the millions in need across Sudan on Tuesday, as news reports described heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum and neighbouring areas between the national army and rival RSF militia

Amid claims and counter claims, the army has been reportedly attempting to cut the supply lines of the Rapid Support Forces and defend its bases from continued attack. The RSF claimed to have captured hundreds of soldiers, following an attack on an army base. Airstrikes and heavy fighting have left…

Source: UN News | May 16, 2023

Security Situation in Sahel Remains Very Worrying, Security Council Warned

The Council was meeting to assess the state of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, which brings together Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger

The security situation in the Sahel remains very worrying and the spiralling crisis in Sudan is an additional source of concern, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Tuesday. "Non-State armed groups continue to carry out large-scale attacks against civilian and military targets and engage in clashes over access to resources, territorial…

Source: UN News | May 15, 2023

Road Safety Week: African Nations Steer towards Reducing Deaths

Increasingly grim accident statistics provided the impetus for action, including two bus crashes in Senegal that claimed 62 lives in January

Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among African youth, so governments across the continent have resolved to drive in a new unified direction, ahead of Road Safety Week, observed 15 to 21 May. Increasingly grim accident statistics provided the impetus for action, including two bus crashes in Senegal that…