Mali counts votes from referendum expected pave the way to elections
Bamako, MaliReuters Mali started counting votes on Sunday from a constitutional referendum that the ruling military junta and regional powers have said will pave the way to elections and a return to civilian rule. The junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, promised to hold the plebiscite as part of a transition […]
In shadow of conflict nearby, rebel upsurge hits Congo’s Ituri
Kigonze Camp, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Marie Dzedza has lost hope of leaving a displaced people’s camp and returning to her village in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri, where rebel violence is surging while regional attention focuses on a conflict in a neighbouring territory. Five years ago, Dzedza lost both her hands in […]
Eight civilians dead in clash with UN peacekeepers in east Congo – local government
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Eight people were killed and 28 wounded when protesters in east Congo’s North-Kivu province blocked and then set upon a convoy of United Nations peacekeepers on Tuesday, resulting in clashes, the provincial government said on Wednesday. Anti-UN sentiment has risen since a rebel group known as the M23 staged […]
Congo blames rebels for UN peacekeeper death as insecurity spurs protests
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Congo’s government on Monday blamed M23 rebels for an attack on a helicopter that killed a United Nations peacekeeper, as hundreds in the eastern city of Goma demonstrated over spiralling insecurity in the region. Militia violence has racked Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast mineral-rich east for two decades despite […]
Russian pullout must precede any dialogue, says Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine/Istanbul, TurkeyReuters Ukraine on Wednesday dismissed comments by ex-German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder that Russia wanted a “negotiated solution” to the war and said any dialogue would be contingent on a Russian ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops. Schroeder, a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin and increasingly derided in Germany for his pro-Russia […]
Congo to reassess UN withdrawal plan after deadly protests
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoReuters Democratic Republic of Congo’s government will re-evaluate the withdrawal plan of the United Nations peacekeeping mission after deadly anti-UN protests last week, it said late on Monday, suggesting it may ask the force to leave sooner than expected. The UN peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, said on Tuesday that it […]
Essay: Protests against UN in eastern Congo highlight peace mission’s crisis of legitimacy
In an article first published on The Conversation, JENNA RUSSO, a researcher and lecturer at the City University of New York, looks at what has sparked recent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo…
Four civilians electrocuted during Congo anti-UN protests
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Four people protesting against a United Nations peacekeeping mission were electrocuted on Wednesday in the Congolese city of Uvira when troops fired shots which hit an electric cable that fell on them, the mission and a local official said. At least 12 civilians were killed on Tuesday in protests […]
UN peacekeepers deployed to north-eastern Mali amid spate of killings
Bamako, Mali Reuters The United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali has deployed two units to the African country’s tri-border area with Burkina Faso and Niger to respond to a spate of civilian killings, it said on Thursday. A surge in attacks since early March by an Islamic State affiliate has left hundreds of civilians dead, […]
Tentative hopes for Ukraine peace talks after fierce Russian attacks
Lviv, UkraineReuters Ukraine said it would seek to discuss a ceasefire, immediate withdrawal of troops and security guarantees with Russia on Monday after both sides reported rare progress at the weekend, despite fierce Russian bombardments. Previous rounds of talks have had similar aims but have ended up focused mainly on humanitarian issues and agreed ceasefires […]