Africa

UN agency racing to prepare for return of 200,000 Angolan refugees

28 February 2003
The United Nations refugee agency today said it is racing against the clock to prepare for the repatriation of more than 200,000 Angolans living in neighbouring countries who have indicated their wish to return home.

Annan calls on Somali factions to end hostilities, recommit to peace

28 February 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a report issued today, calls on Somalia’s faction-ridden leadership to cease “serious hostilities” and urges international donors to contribute generously and speedily to humanitarian and peace-building programmes there.

Former Rwandan camp commander charged by UN pleads not guilty to genocide

28 February 2003
A former high-ranking Rwandan camp commander charged with five counts of genocide and other war crimes today pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance before the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Liberian conflict could engulf all West Africa in crisis, Annan warns

28 February 2003
Liberia is at a critical crossroads between peace and conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a report issued today, warning that continued support for Liberian rebels could engulf the whole of West Africa in an economic and humanitarian crisis.

Creative artists in Africa can help UN achieve key development goals – Annan

28 February 2003
Creative artists in Africa can help the United Nations in its efforts to achieve such goals as reducing poverty and hunger set by world leaders at the Millennium Summit in 2000, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to the continent’s premier film festival.
Olara Otunnu

UN envoy calls for sustained international support for post-conflict Sierra Leone

28 February 2003
At the conclusion of his weeklong visit to Sierra Leone, a United Nations envoy today called on the international community to continue supporting the country in order to strengthen and sustain gains made in the rehabilitation and protection of children after a decade of conflict.

Advance UN team tests conditions for rights inquiry in Côte d'Ivoire

28 February 2003
An advance team of United Nations human rights and political affairs officials arrived in Abidjan today to assess conditions on the ground for setting up a possible board of inquiry to investigate violations of human rights and humanitarian rights that have occurred during the civil turmoil in Côte d'Ivoire.

Annan re-appoints expert panel on illegal exploitation of resources in DR of Congo

27 February 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has re-appointed an expert panel investigating the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Kenya joins global network tracking pollution to save ozone layer - UN

27 February 2003
With the installation of a high-tech monitoring station to detect ozone depletion and monitor air quality, Nairobi has become a key lynchpin in a United Nations-backed effort to save the ozone layer and track pollution flows across the globe.

Western Sahara: Annan urges POLISARIO to release remaining prisoners of war

26 February 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to the Frente POLISARIO today to speed up the release of all remaining prisoners of war as 100 freed POWs were repatriated to Morocco.