Africa

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN chief congratulates Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as President of Kenya

30 March 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as President of Kenya, and urged Kenyans to remain calm following a decision by the country's top court that settled the ballot win.
Children at an IDP camp in Kabo, northern Central African Republic

UN warns 2 million children without basic services in Central African Republic

29 March 2013
Two million children in the Central African Republic are without basic social services and are exposed to violence following a power grab by the Séléka rebel coalition and subsequent insecurity and looting, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today said, warning that more children will be at risk if the country does not stabilize quickly.
Internally displaced people in the Central African Republic.
OCHA/Laura Fultang

Central African Republic’s capital calm but security and aid at risk in north, UN says

28 March 2013
The crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), including the seizure of power by the Séléka rebel coalition, has exacerbated an already difficult humanitarian situation, the United Nations relief wing said today, warning that tens of thousands of people could go hungry if safety and security throughout the country is not restored quickly.
Special Representative Zainab Hawa Bangura.
UN Photo/Cristina Silveiro

National leadership crucial for tackling sexual violence in DR Congo – UN envoy

28 March 2013
Conflict-related sexual violence is one of the most urgent challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a senior United Nations official says, stressing that leadership and responsibility on the part of the Government is critical to tackling this issue.
Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova.
UNESCO/Danica Bijeljac

Deploring murder of Somali radio journalist, UN agency chief calls for investigation

28 March 2013
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today denounced the recent murder of Somali radio journalist Rahma Abdulkadir and called for an investigation into the crime.
Security Council votes to authorize the deployment of an intervention force to target armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

Security Council approves intervention force to target armed groups in DR Congo

28 March 2013
The Security Council today authorized the deployment of an intervention brigade within the current United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to address imminent threats to peace and security.
Photo: FAO/A. Odoul
FAO/A. Odoul

Insecticide-treated nets protect livestock and boost milk yields in UN pilot projects

27 March 2013
Insecticide-treated mosquito and fly nets encircling livestock pens in small farms in western Kenya are proving to be an effective means of killing disease-carrying pests and boosting milk yields, the United Nations today reported, as well as contributing to fewer people being bitten at home.
UN peacekeepers in Abyei, which is contested by Sudan and South Sudan.
UN Photo/Stuart Price

UN mission verifies start of Sudan, South Sudan withdrawal from zone in Abyei

26 March 2013
The United Nations peacekeeping force in the oil-rich Abyei area, which is contested by South Sudan and Sudan, has completed its first verification mission to make sure that troops from both Governments pull out of the demilitarized border zone.
More than half of Madagascar’s territory is currently infested with locusts, potentially two thirds of the country.
FAO

Over $41 million needed to end locust plague in Madagascar, says UN agency

26 March 2013
Madagascar needs more than $41 million to eliminate the severe locust plague that is threatening the country’s crop production as well as the food security of more than half of the country’s population, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
Bosco Ntaganda during his initial appearance before the International Criminal Court in March 2013.
ICC-CPI

Congolese rebel leader makes initial appearance before International Criminal Court

26 March 2013
The International Criminal Court (ICC) set 23 September as the start date for the confirmation of charges hearing for Congolese rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda, who made his first appearance before the tribunal today.