Africa

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Little progress on disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan

22 October 2020
Peace and Security

Despite the strengthening of the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan, little progress has been made regarding the disputed Abyei region, the head of UN Peacekeeping told the Security Council on Thursday. 

Unsplash/Tobi Oshinnaike

UN chief calls for end to reported police brutality in Nigeria 

21 October 2020
Peace and Security

The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was closely following recent developments across Nigeria, in the wake of reports that protesters had been shot dead and wounded, and called for “an end to reported police brutality and abuses.” 

© UNHCR/Sylvain Cherkaoui

UN chief appeals for urgent action to reverse ‘downward spiral’ in Central Sahel

20 October 2020
Humanitarian Aid

The world must act now to reverse the situation in Africa’s central Sahel region, where humanitarian needs are at “a breaking point”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a high-level conference on Tuesday to address the burgeoning crisis. 

UNOCHA/Giles Clarke

Burkina Faso ‘one step short of famine’, warns UN food relief agency

19 October 2020
Humanitarian Aid

Unless access is urgently granted to humanitarian organizations, thousands in the Central Sahel will be “pushed into further destitution”, the UN emergency food relief agency warned on Monday.  

UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN chief urges inclusive, peaceful elections in Guinea

17 October 2020
Peace and Security

On the eve of the presidential elections in Guinea, the UN Secretary-General has called on all national stakeholders to ensure that the polls are conducted in an inclusive and peaceful manner. 

IOM

Twelve migrants dead, others missing off the coast of Djibouti: IOM

17 October 2020
Migrants and Refugees

Twelve migrants have died and others are missing after being thrown off a boat by smugglers off the coast of Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported. 

World Bank/Sambrian Mbaabu

‘We want justice for these girls’: the Kenyan helpline for victims of gender violence

17 October 2020
Human Rights

Around four million girls worldwide suffer female genital mutilation every year. Although it is forbidden in Kenya, COVID-19 has led some families to revive itthe traditional practice, and a UN-supported phone helpline for victims of gender-based violence in the country has seen a big rise in calls since the pandemic hit.

© UNOCHA/Eve Sabbagh

Violence, COVID-19, contribute to rising humanitarian needs in the Sahel

16 October 2020
Humanitarian Aid

A surge in armed violence, coupled with the economic and social fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, are contributing to worsening conditions for children in the Central Sahel, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday. 

MINUSMA/Harandane Dicko

UN chief calls for swift action following attacks on peacekeepers in Mali

16 October 2020
Peace and Security

Authorities in Mali are being urged to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for two separate attacks on Thursday against peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in the country, MINUSMA. 

© UNICEF

UN envoy outlines progress towards cooperation in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

13 October 2020
Peace and Security

Even as they confront the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in Africa’s Great Lakes Region continue to improve political, security and economic cooperation in line with a 2013 Framework agreement, UN Special Envoy Huang Xia told the Security Council on Tuesday.