United Nations, United States | AFP | More than 150 women and girls have come forward in the past 12 days to seek help in South Sudan after they were raped or suffered other forms of sexual violence, the heads of three UN agencies said Monday. Armed men, many in …
Read More »Yemen on brink of ‘major catastrophe’: UN aid chief
Aden, Yemen | AFP | UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned Saturday that Yemen was “on the brink of a major catastrophe”, as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country. His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Huthi rebels and pro-government forces in …
Read More »Despite sanctions South Sudan stays armed for war, report says
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Despite long-standing restrictions, new weapons have continued to reach South Sudan’s battlefields, often via neighbouring countries, a detailed report by an arms monitoring group said Thursday. A four-year investigation, by London-based Conflict Armament Research (CAR), into the supply of weapons that have helped keep South …
Read More »Pompeo, Mattis urge Senate to maintain Saudi military support
Washington, United States | AFP | Two top officials from President Donald Trump’s administration sought to persuade lawmakers Wednesday to maintain America’s increasingly contentious support for Saudi Arabia in the war in Yemen, arguing that pulling back would worsen the brutal conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense …
Read More »Ukrainian president Poroshenko warns of threat of ‘full-scale war’ with Russia
Kiev, Ukraine | AFP | Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday warned of the threat of “full-scale war” and said Russia had sharply increased its military presence on their shared border as tensions escalate between the ex-Soviet neighbours. “I don’t want anyone to think this is fun and games. Ukraine …
Read More »Arsenal match switched to Kiev amid Ukraine security concerns
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Ukranian side FC Vorskla was switched to Kiev from the city of Poltava by UEFA on Tuesday after the adoption of martial law in some areas of the country due to escalating political tension with Russia. The match will …
Read More »Putin warns against ‘reckless’ moves after Ukraine declares martial law
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine against any “reckless acts” on Tuesday after Kiev declared martial law in response to Moscow’s seizure of three of its navy vessels. The Ukrainian parliament late on Monday voted in favour of President Petro Poroshenko’s request for the introduction …
Read More »South African mercenary speaks out after Boko Haram bloodshed
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | A South African mercenary who fought Boko Haram jihadists in Nigeria spoke out on Sunday against President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of the Islamist insurgency, blaming “poor political decisions” for an upsurge in violence. In a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday, Eeben Barlow criticised Buhari …
Read More »Four killed in fresh clashes in C.African capital
Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | At least four people have been killed in fighting between the army and militias in the capital of Central African Republic, sources said on Friday. The clashes erupted in Bangui’s mainly Muslim PK5 district — an area that has become a flashpoint in …
Read More »Uganda rebels fire on UN helicopter in eastern DR Congo
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Ugandan rebels on Thursday fired on a UN helicopter in an attack in the volatile east of DR Congo, though there were no victims, UN sources said. “One of our helicopters was fired on in Semuliki valley by rebels — we reacted in legitimate …
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