Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday said it was shunning a donor conference in Geneva next month aimed at raising $1.7 billion to tackle what the United Nations has called a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister Jose Makila said the UN had overreacted …
Read More »UN, AFP launch prize to honor slain Mexican journalists
Mexico City, Mexico | AFP | The UN and AFP launched an award Thursday to honor journalists who risk their lives to cover human rights abuses in Mexico, in tribute to two celebrated reporters murdered last year. The Breach-Valdez Prize will honor journalists who follow in the footsteps of their …
Read More »UN urges Liberia to ensure ‘full and true reconciliation’
Monrovia, Liberia | AFP | A top UN official on Thursday urged Liberia to implement the recommendations of a truth commission, dating back to 2009, which included prosecuting eight ex-warlords for alleged crimes against humanity. “Liberia is at a turning point”, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told a conference in Monrovia, …
Read More »UN presses Liberia to kickstart war crimes prosecutions
Monrovia, Liberia | AFP | A top UN official on Thursday asked Liberia to implement the recommendations of a truth commission dating back to 2009 which included prosecuting eight ex-warlords for alleged crimes against humanity. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told a conference in Monrovia it was “critical to implement the …
Read More »South African peacekeepers in DR Congo face paternity claims: UN
United Nations, United States | AFP | Five peacekeepers from South Africa face allegations of sexually exploiting women in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are now seeking child support, a UN spokesman said Tuesday. One of cases involves a minor who was allegedly sexually abused when the incidents took place …
Read More »Year of anti-Kabila protests in DR Congo leaves 47 dead: UN
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | A government crackdown on demonstrations against President Joseph Kabila in Democratic Republic of Congo has led to the killing of 47 people in just over a year, a UN report seen by AFP said Monday. “Between 1 January 2017 and 31 January 2018, at …
Read More »World needs ‘greener’ water policies as demand rises: UN
Paris, France | AFP | Governments should focus on “greener” policies to improve the supply and quality of water as climate change and a growing global population threaten the water security of billions, the United Nations said on Monday. In its 2018 World Water Development Report, the UN calculated that an …
Read More »UN mission in DR Congo urged to play stronger role in polls
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | A body linked to the powerful Catholic Church in Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday called on the United Nations to strengthen its role during December elections. The Lay Coordination Committee (CLC), which has held marches against President Joseph Kabila, said it was asking …
Read More »UN backs Zimbabwe polls for July
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | The United Nations on Saturday threw its support behind new elections in Zimbabwe set for July and urged the government to kickstart the African nation’s economy as an “urgent priority”. Achim Steiner, administrator for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was in Harare as part …
Read More »Canada to send peacekeepers to Mali: official
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Canada will send peacekeepers backed by helicopters to the troubled west African nation of Mali before autumn, a government source said on Friday. Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan is to provide details of the number of troops on Monday, said the source, speaking on condition of …
Read More »