Liberia’s civil war refugees left destitute after decades-old Ghana camp demolished
Buduburam, Ghana Reuters Sitting on a tattered mattress amongst the rubble of his former home, Wendell Elijah Mallobe is one of 15,000 Liberian refugees left destitute after authorities in Ghana demolished the camp where he has lived for more than 30 years. “I don’t know anybody in Liberia. Nobody. They burnt the village I was […]
UN peacekeepers begin withdrawal from eastern Congo
Kamanyola, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters United Nations troops began their gradual withdrawal from restive eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, handing over a base to Congolese authorities, the peacekeeping mission said in a statement. The peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO, has been deployed in Congo for more than 13 years after taking over […]
UN peacekeeping mission says staff, vehicles attacked in Congolese capital
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo said its staff and vehicles were attacked in the capital Kinshasa on Saturday as a worsening eastern security crisis fuels a backlash against the mission. Crowds on motorbikes gathered in the riverside Gombe district, where the UN […]
In Congo’s east, elections dominated by conflict and voter anger
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Conflict defined Ishara Bahati Yassin’s childhood, forcing him time and again to flee his home in eastern Congo, where like millions of compatriots he now lives in a crowded camp for displaced people, sharing a tent with three brothers. At 20, Yassin is eligible to vote for the first […]
UN peacekeepers try to stay safe amid Lebanon-Israel border flare-ups
Near Maroun al-Ras, Lebanon Reuters While trying to fulfil their mandate to keep the peace, UN soldiers deployed along Lebanon’s border with Israel during the worst hostilities there in nearly 20 years have another urgent concern: keeping their own forces safe. Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza seven weeks ago, […]
At mass burial, Congolese families weep for victims of protest killings
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters The smell of decomposing bodies filled the air as cemetery workers in eastern Congo unloaded dozens of coffins at the final resting place for victims of one of the deadliest crackdowns on protests in recent local memory. As rain poured down on the funerals in mid-September, distraught family members […]
UN chief says “robust use of force” needed against Haiti’s gangs
United NationsReuters A “robust use of force” by a multi-national police deployment and use of military assets is needed to restore law and order in Haiti and disarm gangs, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the Security Council in a report seen by Reuters on Tuesday. Haiti last year asked for international help to combat violent […]
UN Security Council urges security help for Haiti to fight gangs
United NationsReuters The UN Security Council on Friday encouraged countries to provide security support to Haiti, including through the deployment of a specialised force, which was last year requested by Haiti’s government to combat gang violence. UN chief Antonio Guterres backed Haiti, proposing last year that one or more states send a “rapid action force” […]
UN peacekeeping mission in Mali set to end on 30th June
Nairobi, Kenya/Dakar, Senegal Reuters A decade-long United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali is set to end on 30th June, diplomats said on Tuesday, ahead of a Security Council vote on a draft resolution – seen by Reuters – that will give the 13,000-strong operation six months to withdraw. The planned end of the MINUSMA mission […]
Withdrawal request: Mali faces spectre of anarchy after demanding UN’s departure
EDWARD MCALLISTER and DAVID LEWIS, of Reuters, report the MINUSMA mission and what it’s end could mean…