Africa

UN mission in Western Sahara extended by two months

30 May 2003
In order to further consider the best way forward on a new plan proposed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resolve the situation in Western Sahara, the Security Council today extended by two months the mandate of the United Nations mission responsible for organizing a referendum in the territory.

UN agency distributes seeds to drought-affected farmers in Eritrea

30 May 2003
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is distributing cereal and legume seeds to Eritrean farmers to help restore their productive capacity after they were hit last cropping season by the worst drought in 10 years.

Security Council authorizes deployment of emergency force for DR of Congo

30 May 2003
Signalling its “utmost concern” at the fighting and atrocities in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Security Council today authorized the deployment of an international emergency force to help stabilize the situation in the country’s volatile north-east, where ethnic fighting has killed more than 400 people.
Sergio Vieira de Mello

DR of Congo: UN human rights chief applauds deployment of emergency force

30 May 2003
The top United Nations human rights official today applauded the unanimous decision by the Security Council to authorize the deployment of an international emergency force to the Ituri district of in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Security Council seeks to bring peace and development to Africa

30 May 2003
Faced with the conflicts and complex crises plaguing Africa, the United Nations Security Council today discussed ways to refine prevention and containment strategies by involving regional and global organizations and exploring the links between peace and security on the one hand and social and economic development on the other.
K. Y. Amoako

Africa enjoys some gains in 2002 despite sluggish economic growth – UN official

29 May 2003
Despite a sluggish economic growth rate in 2002, Africa has seen a number of positive developments in recent months, including the implementation of a new initiative that stresses peace and stability, good governance, democracy and respect for human rights, a senior United Nations official said today.

DR of Congo: UN keeps up efforts to revive peace talks over war-ravaged Bunia

29 May 2003
In the midst of the calm that has settled over the north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations is pressing ahead with diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in and around the town of Bunia – trying to revive peace talks between rival ethnic factions and delivering basic services to desperate people forced from their homes by the fighting.

Sierra Leone: UN-backed court indicts former rebel leader ‘Bazzy’ Kamara

29 May 2003
The United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone has netted three more suspected war criminals, including former rebel leader Brima “Bazzy” Kamara, who has been indicted for alleged atrocities committed during the country's decade-long civil war.

UN agency warns 12.5 million Ethiopians face starvation as funding falls short

28 May 2003
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that 12.5 million Ethiopians are at risk of starving, as there is still a substantial shortfall to the agency's $90 million appeal for emergency operations in that country.
Kofi Annan

Marking Africa Day's 40th anniversary, Annan praises continent's unity

28 May 2003
Commemorating the fortieth anniversary of Africa Day, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today paid tribute to the Organization of African Unity (OAU), saying it gave the continent a clear collective voice in the international arena.