Africa

The Central African Republic has been suffering a devastating humanitarian crisis, with more than half of the population – 2.7 million people – needing aid.
OCHA/Gemma Cortes

UN rights chief urges inquiry into violations by international forces in Central African Republic

31 May 2015
The United Nations human rights chief has urged several States to intensify their efforts to investigate long-standing allegations that soldiers in their forces sent to keep the peace in the Central African Republic (CAR) may have committed very serious violations, including killing of civilians and sexual exploitation of local women.
Special Adviser Adama Dieng (left) with Burundian Minister of External relations and International Cooperation, Aime Alain Nyamitwe.
UN

In Burundi, UN Special Adviser urges all parties to engage in talks to calm tensions

31 May 2015
At the conclusion of his two-day visit to Burundi, Adama Dieng, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, warned of increased tensions and the risk of further violence, unless all parties engage in open dialogue to resolve the crisis and calm tensions.
Children at the Mahama camp in Rwanda, where 26,300 refugees from Burundi are now living. UNICEF is extremely concerned that children continue to be exposed to violence in Burundi.
UNICEF/Mike Pflanz

UN envoy urges restraint among all Burundian parties; heads to region for weekend summit on crisis

29 May 2015
The United Nations Special Envoy for Burundi today travelled to Tanzania where he hopes an East African community summit over the weekend will help reinforce dialogue among the Burundian parties amid concerns raised by UN agencies that the current political instability and violence puts children at risk and could lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Special Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino León.
UNSMIL

Libya: UN envoy hopes new draft of political deal can be agreed within four weeks

29 May 2015
Libya is on the verge of economic collapse amid ongoing violence, political infighting and efforts by terrorists to “build strong bases” throughout the country, the envoy facilitating the United Nations efforts to restore peace there said as he briefed journalists on meetings held in Brussels discussing the situation in the North African country and efforts towards a political transition.
A Malian woman with her children outside their makeshift shelter on the grounds of a former hotel in Mopti. Fighting forced them to flee their home in northern Mali.
UNHCR/Helen Caux

Ramping up northern Mali relief efforts, UN agency aims to assist thousands newly displaced by violence

29 May 2015
Across northern Mali, a flare-up in clashes between armed groups has spurred a renewed exodus of people fleeing the violence and their homes, the United Nations refugee agency said today, reporting difficulties in reaching the beleaguered populations with critical humanitarian aid.
Women and children have suffered devastating attacks in South Sudan’s Unity State.
UNICEF/South Sudan/Sebastian Rich

South Sudan: UN officials call for international engagement to de-escalate country’s conflict

29 May 2015
As South Sudan’s civil conflict continues to escalate, three senior United Nations officials have urged all stakeholders in the country to reach a sustainable solution to the crisis through inclusive dialogue and foster a lasting peace based on accountability and reconciliation.ed on accountability and reconciliation.
Wide view of the Security Council.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe (file)

Security Council renews mandate of UN Mission in South Sudan

28 May 2015
The Security Council today adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations mission in the country until 30 November 2015, giving the operation authorization to use all necessary means to protect civilians, monitor and investigate human rights, and create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Burundians arriving in Rwanda after fleeing pre-election violence.
UNHCR/Kate Holt

Burundi: senior UN officials step up engagement to ease country's political crisis

28 May 2015
The United Nations Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, arrived in Burundi today as the top UN political official met with a Burundian government representative at UN headquarters and discussed the need to prevent and investigate political violence and killings.
A UN peacekeeper from the Bangladesh Transport Platoon provides free medical consultations to residents of a poor community in Bamako, Mali.
MINUSMA/Marco Dormino

Ban deplores shooting incident in Mali that killed one UN peacekeeper and injured another

28 May 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the shooting incident that took place in Bamako, Mali, on Monday, 25 May, during which a peacekeeper with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was killed and another injured.
UN Peacekeeper Oscar Ouedraogo, Corrections Officer in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for the Stabilization in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
MINUSCA

FEATURE: One UN peacekeeper's mission to improve prisons in Central African Republic

28 May 2015
This is 35-year-old Oscar Ouedraogo’s first deployment with a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The native of Burkina Faso has been working as a corrections officer for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since 20 September 2014, in the capital, Bangui.