A damning United Nations report on Tuesday alleged horrific crimes in the Central African Republic including rape, murder, torture, kidnapping and the use of child soldiers, which could amount to war crimes and even genocide. The UN said “appalling” crimes over 12 years between 2003 and 2015 were committed by the army, armed groups and … Read more
Surging violence in Central African Republic has killed hundreds and forced some 88,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of the month, the United Nations said Tuesday. One of the world’s poorest nations, the country has been struggling to recover from a three-year civil war between the Muslim and Christian militias that started … Read more
They were attacked by “drugged, drunk and uncontrollable” armed men, and now the residents of a Central African town live in terror after one of the most murderous raids in months was carried out right under the nose of UN troops. At least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 injured during the attack by several … Read more
The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved using an experimental Ebola vaccine to combat an outbreak of the virus in the northeast, the government said Monday. “The DRC accepts the use of vaccines against the Ebola virus,” a source in the health ministry told AFP, adding that the government concluded it had no objections to … Read more
The United Nations has posthumously conferred its highest awards, the Dag Hammarskjold Medals on two Ghanaian Peacekeepers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their line of duty. They are: Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Sakyi, who was with the UN Organisational Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and Staff Sergeant Boniface Atanyik, formerly with … Read more
Being accused of witchcraft is no laughing matter in Africa — but movie director Rungano Nyoni decided a dose of humour was just what was needed to tackle a problem rampant in parts of the continent. Set in Zambia, the sharp satire “I Am Not A Witch” has premiered to strong reviews at the Cannes … Read more
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to the renewed sectarian bloodshed in the Central African Republic, warning that war crimes will be punished. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s call comes amid an upsurge of attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers, as well as renewed fighting between factions of the Christian … Read more
Two fallen peacekeepers from Ghana will be honoured at the United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, 24 May, to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour all fallen peacekeepers and will preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to … Read more
Sweat soaks into the bright red neckerchiefs of the soldiers slouching to attention on a steamy parade ground deep in the inaccessible forests of Central African Republic (CAR). The military display marked the end of a failed years-long hunt for Joseph Kony, leader of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group that has … Read more
The US and UK lagged far behind other leading nations in a new global healthcare report. Although both nations are seen as world leaders, they each scored disappointingly low marks in regards to quality of care. America landed in a dismal 35th slot, sparking a researcher to call his homeland an ’embarrassment’ and the UK … Read more
Neither Canada nor Japan cracked the top 10, and the United States finished a dismal 35th, according to a much anticipated ranking of healthcare quality in 195 countries, released Friday. Among nations with more than a million souls, top honours for 2015 went to Switzerland, followed by Sweden and Norway, though the healthcare gold standard … Read more
A recent attack targeting UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic was carried out with heavy weapons that have not been used in other outbreaks of fighting, a UN official said Thursday. Deputy UN envoy Diane Corner said the fighters used mortars and grenade-launchers in the May 13 assault in the town of Bangassou, which … Read more
An unlicenced Ebola vaccine could soon be tested in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo hit by an outbreak of the virus, the World Health Organization said Thursday. There is no licenced vaccine for the Ebola virus, but a promising candidate vaccine could be deployed within a matter of days if the … Read more
Ugandan troops deployed in eastern Central African Republic to fight Ugandan rebels have sexually abused local women and girls, Human Rights Watch reported Monday. “Ugandan soldiers … have sexually exploited at least 13 women and (three) girls since 2015, including at least one rape, and threatened some victims to remain silent,” the rights watchdog said … Read more
The United Nations said Monday that $1.4 billion (1.3 billion euros) was needed this year alone to help the nearly two million people who have fled war and famine in South Sudan. The UNHCR refugee agency and the World Food Programme presented an updated response plan to the crisis in appealing for nearly double the … Read more
Armed militias targeting Muslims in the remote Central African Republic town of Bangassou in recent days have killed up to 30 civilians and six U. N. peacekeepers. The U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, or MINUSCA, says it is sending reinforcements to Bangassou where it says displaced civilians are seeking refuge … Read more
An Ebola outbreak in a remote region in DR Congo’s far north poses a logistical challenge for doctors and aid workers although the sheer remoteness could help limit its spread. The latest outbreak of the highly contagious disease, the eighth to date in the sprawling country five times the size of France, has been reported … Read more
An Ebola outbreak has been declared in the northeast region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organisation says three deaths are being linked to the virus, and it is taking the situation “very seriously”. One of those killed had tested positive for Ebola after coming down with a haemorrhagic fever last month … Read more
An Ebola outbreak has been declared in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization said Friday, after the virus caused three deaths in the area since April 22. The WHO said the outbreak affects an equatorial forest region in Bas-Uele province, bordering Central African Republic. The last Ebola outbreak in Congo in 2014 … Read more
Another UN peacekeeper has been found dead in the Central African Republic, bringing to five the toll from an attack this week, the deadliest to target the mission so far, the UN spokesman said Thursday. Suspected anti-Balaka Christian militias attacked the UN convoy of the MINUSCA force on Monday in the southeast of the country … Read more