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UN and Africa

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UN and Africa: focus on UN peacekeeping, post-conflict Liberia and African refugees

Terrorism, violent extremism require more nimble peacekeeping response

A deadly ambush of UN peacekeepers in Mali just a few days ago has highlighted the dangerous landscape in which many blue helmets have to operate. The UN Security Council has been looking at ways to strengthen support to field missions so that they can better respond to threats such as terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime. Dianne Penn reports.

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UN Photo/Cia Pak

UN and Africa: focus on Somalia elections, New Urban Agenda and CAR

Somalia electoral season begins

What’s been described as a “complicated” electoral process is now underway in Somalia. The indirect elections are being held to choose a parliament and president, with hopes that one-person, one-vote elections will take place in 2020. Michael Keating is the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia and head of the UN mission in the country, UNSOM. Dianne Penn asked him about the complexity and significance of the electoral process.

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UN Photo/Cia Pak

UN and Africa: focus on African development, climate change and SDGs

Terrorism “threat of the century” says Chad President

The President of Chad has described terrorism as the “threat of the century” facing Africa. Extremists, including those belonging to the Boko Haram terrorist group, have destabilized much of the Lake Chad Basin triggering a humanitarian crisis. Daniel Dickinson reports.

Jacob Zuma. UN Photo/Manuel Elias

African development possible if illicit financial flows are stopped

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UN and Africa: focus on South Sudan, Darfur and African taxes

South Sudan gives go-ahead for UN force

The South Sudanese government has given the go-ahead for the deployment of a 4,000 strong regional protection force recently mandated by the UN Security Council. The announcement came on 4 September while Council members were in the country to meet with President Salva Kiir and other politicians, and see for themselves the conditions facing internally-displaced civilians in UN protection camps. Daniel Dickinson has more details.

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