Africa

Child trafficking is rising in Mali, along with forced labour and forced recruitment by armed groups, due to conflict, insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday. 

Doreen Moracha was born HIV positive is now an advocate raising awareness and fighting the stigma.

A Rwandan entrepreneur is pioneering the use of innovative farming technology that, he believes, is set to play a major role in feeding the growing population in his country, amid increasing pressure on arable land.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has launched an appeal for $147 million to support as many as 100,000 people fleeing Ethiopia’s Tigray region into neighbouring Sudan, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Monday.

How South African women defeated plans to restrict the movement of black South Africans.

Nurse Tshego is fighting a virus that brings her face to face with stigma, poverty and corruption.

A climate activist has won a prestigious prize for leading the battle to block it being built in Ghana.

The United Nations has strongly condemned an attack, on Saturday, against civilians in Nigeria’s restive Borno state, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

The country has rebuffed African efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the Tigray conflict.

BBC correspondents across the east Africa region explain the impact for Ethiopia and its neighbours.

November 28, 2020 (KHARTOUM) - The Ethiopian Ambassador to Sudan Yibeltal Aemro said the sharp decrease in refugee flows into eastern Sudan confirms that life has returned to normal in Tigray region.

Amero sent a written to Sudan Tribune on Friday in response to an article published on Thursday about the sudden decline of the refugee's number crossing into Sudan after the control of the border area by the Ethiopian forces which prevent them from reaching the refugee camps.

The article also mentioned a report by the AFP correspondent about the situation in the border area of the Ethiopian side. He said that the government despatched Ahmarah officials and militiamen are now controlling the border area of Humera.

Ambassador Aemro, hover, denied the presence of the government forces near the Sudanese border saying they are deployed around Mekele city, 300km from Humera, where they are fighting the recalcitrant Tigray forces.

"The decline in the number of people who are crossing the border is because of return to normalcy in most parts of Tigray not because of the ban by the government forces," he said an email he sent to Sudan Tribune.

The Ethiopian diplomat went further to say that elements of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) who fled to the refugee camps in eastern Sudan seek to manipulate the international media.

"One also should understand the fact that the criminal elements within the TPLF, including those who crossed the border with the civilians, are deliberately trying to misinform the international community on the matter," he stressed.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, Friday was at Eastern Sudan's Ethiopian border to inspect the humanitarian situation of the refugees.

"Most of them want to return home, but only if fighting ends and they can feel safe and secure. Meanwhile, we are stepping up efforts to address their basic needs," said Grandi in a tweet posted after the visit.

UNHCR head said that over 43,00 refugees are now in Sudan.

In a statement on Tuesday, the UN chief Antonio Guterres called for the "free and safe movement of people searching for safety and assistance, regardless of their ethnic identity, across both national and international borders".

Yaqoub Adam Yaqoub, the director of the reception centre in Hamdayet told the Sudan Tribune on Friday that they are facing a severe shortage of shelter and housing equipment. He also complained of poor services despite the cold weather.

Yacoub added that more than 75% of the people fleeing the violence in the Tigray region are now in the centre.

He attributed the delayed transfer of refugees to the Um Rakuba camp, 70 kilometres inside Gadaref State to the severe fuel crisis and the shortage of vehicles.

For its part, the UNHCR said they helped to relocate nearly 10,000 refugees to Um Rakuba, as work continues to put up shelters and improve services.

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November 27, 2020 (KHARTOUM) - Fadlallah Burma Nasser has been chosen as interim leader of the National Umma Party (NUP) until the general conference which will elect a new leader.

Nasser, a former general from the Misseriya tribe of South Darfur, was the firest de deputy of the late Sadiq al-Mahdi who died on Thursday 26 November.

The interim leader stressed the solid unity of the party membership and commitment to the vision of Sadiq al-Mahdi.

In his statement to the Sudan News Agency, Nasser, 81, said they work seriously to hold the party's general conference soon.

"Base conferences will be held at the level of city or county, district, states, then the general conference. Also, the various colleges will be represented," he said stressing that "the general conference will be attended by those who actually represent their grassroots."

The NUP was the first political party in Sudan, in accordance with the result of the last democratic election of 1986. Darfur region was the bastion of the Umma party in the past.

However, it is not clear if the party will be affected by the 17-year armed conflict and the emergence of armed groups which now seeking to be political forces.

Regarding the leadership of the religious brotherhood of Ansar, Nasser said that the current Secretary-General of the Ansar Affairs Authority, Abdel-Mahmoud Abu, will chair the group until the conference.

Al-Mahdi used to combine the leadership of the party with the brotherhood, which is the religious arm of the National Umma Party.

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Families fleeing the conflict in Tigray tell the BBC they have been cut off from relatives.

Hunger is on the rise in southern Madagascar due to consecutive years of drought,  affecting half the region’s population, or 1.5 million people, and forcing most families to eat insects, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Friday. 

A group of UN independent human rights experts have called on Egyptian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release activists arrested, apparently in retaliation, for discussing human rights issues with foreign ambassadors. 

November 26, 2020 (KHARTOUM) — The head of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Thursday voiced his support to the government negotiating position in the filling of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Sudan has suspended its participation in the direct tripartite talks on the first filling of the GERD, calling for a new approach involving a mediation team made of African experts and international observers.

Irrigation Minister Yasir Abbas who is also the head of the government negotiating team briefed al-Burhan on the process which lasts for more than eight years.

"Al-Burhan confirmed his support for the position taken by the negotiating team, calling for the Sudanese national interest to be the only reference for negotiations," said a statement by the Sovereign Council after the meeting.

He further stressed the need for a political and diplomatic mobilisation to support the government position which is a national security matter, the statement stressed.

Sudan recently blamed South African foreign minister saying she neglected its demand to refer the file back to the African Union Bureau.

South Africa is involved in the process as the chairperson of the regional body. Also, are involved in the talks as observers, the European Union and the United States.

Observers say that the suspension of the Sudanese participation in the negotiations means de facto the suspension of the whole process.

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November 26, 2020 (RUMBEK) - A rapid response by UN peacekeepers from Nepal resulted in preventing a potential intercommunal clash between armed groups in Cueibet county of South Sudan's Lakes State, the mission (UNMISS) reported on it's website.

Nepalese UNAMID troops (UN)

According to the UN, within minutes of receiving warning of a potential clash between armed groups in Cueibet, Nepalese peacekeepers sprang into action, sending a team of highly trained troops to intervene and protect civilians in the area.

Their rapid response to the threat of an intercommunal clash followed the killing of a young man during a raid on a cattle camp about 12 kilometers north of Cueibet town in the Lakes region of South Sudan.

A day after that incident, about 60 members of his community reportedly gathered their weapons and headed towards the town to avenge his death.

"At around 9am, the peacekeepers, who are located at a temporary base in the remote area, received information that the group was mobilizing to attack and that 100 people within the town itself had armed themselves as they prepared to repel that attack. A violent clash was imminent," it stated.

The Nepalese contingent immediately sent a platoon of soldiers to intercept the groups and, within an hour, they had set up a checkpoint between them. The peacekeepers worked in collaboration with local police who were also responding to the threat.

“Our task was to assess the security situation, patrol the area to deter the armed groups, provide a protective presence and intervene to protect civilians if needed,” said Captain Bigyan Bista, the Commander of the Nepalese Quick Reaction Force.

The joint effort between UNMISS and local security services worked, with the armed group turning back to their village. The South Sudan People's Defense Forces in the area expressed their appreciation for peacekeepers' quick response.

It is common for conflict to flare up between communities during the dry season in South Sudan as they seek to recover from the loss of crops and cattle during the previous rainy months through violent raids on others.

Anticipating this, UNMISS has reportedly established temporary bases in conflict hotspots in line with its “proactive, robust and nimble” approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

In these bases, integrated military and civilian teams work to deter violence, support reconciliation efforts, and help communities reach agreement to peacefully co-exist. The aim is to provide protection where it is needed most.

The Nepalese contingent has reinforced its temporary base with fresh troops from their battalion headquarters in Rumbek so they can increase patrols and provide a protective presence for civilians living in the area. They will remain in place until the situation stabilizes.

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November 26, 2020 (KHARTOUM) - The Ethiopian government said on Thursday that efforts are being made to return the internally displaced persons and the Ethiopian refugees in Sudan who fled their areas after the eruption of fighting in Tigray region earlier this month.

Deputy Ethiopian Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen has been touring European countries to explain the " law enforcement operation" against the forces loyal to the recalcitrant Tigray region government.

United Nations and western diplomats voiced deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in the restive region and called for unfettered access to the aid organisations and groups.

Also, the massive influx of refugees into Sudanese territory raised alarm about the violence against civilians in the conflict zones.

During his meeting with the British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, Mekonnen thought to reassure that his government is now finalizing its security operations and working with aid workers to provide the needy with humanitarian assistance.

"The Minister also gave reassurance to Hon. Rabb that the Government together with the international agencies is working tirelessly to address the humanitarian situations with more humanitarian corridors opening up to reach those in need of humanitarian assistance," said the Ethiopian foreign ministry.

"Efforts are also underway to support those refugees who fled to Sudan to return and settle peacefully in their home country," further said Mekonnen according to the statement.

In Paris, the deputy foreign minister was received by President Emmanuel Macron but not statement was released after the meeting. Also, he met with the Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès in Brussels.

Over 40,000 refugees have fled into Sudan since the eruption of hostilities between the federal army the Tigray People's Liberation Front forces on 4 November.

In Addis Ababa, the official Ethiopian News Agency said the situation returned to normal in several cities of Tigray pointing to Axum, Shire, and Adwa which are now under the control of government forces.

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November 26, 2020 (JUBA) - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said three Ethiopian peacekeepers serving in the young nation were withdrawn and deported to their country without any explanation given

Ethiopian peacekeepers in Abyei on 14 August 2016 (UNISFA photo)

Last Saturday, it emerged that three Ethiopian soldiers from the Tigray ethnic group were sent back to their country.

An official at the UN Mission in South Sudan said the deportation of the peacekeepers could have violated their human rights if based on ethnicity.

“The Mission's Human Rights Division is following up on their situation. As a Troop Contributing Country, Ethiopia is ultimately responsible for the conduct and movement of its troops,” a spokesperson at UNMISS told The East African.

He added, “However, if personnel are discriminated against because of their ethnicity or any other reason, this could involve a human rights violation under international law".

Following the latest incident involving Ethiopians, UNMISS said it requested access to any soldier in need protection under international law.

There are three Ethiopian battalions in South Sudan, comprising around 2000 personnel, who are assisting with protection and peace building.

Ethiopia is the largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission.

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November 27, 2020 (KHARTOUM) - A state funeral will be held on Friday for former Sudanese Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi who passed away last Thursday at the age of 84.

Al-Mahdi, who was the last democratically elected Sudanese Prime Minister from 1986 to 1989, died in Abu Dhabi where he had been treated after his infection of coronavirus more than three weeks ago.

Following his death Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok Thursday declared three days of national mourning.

Also, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sovereign Council, instruct to hold state funeral for the late Prime Minister, according to a statement released on Thursday evening.

His body has arrived on Friday morning to Khartoum airport where he was received by the Republican Guards from where he will be transported to his house in Omdurman.

He will be buried in the al-Mahdi dome where are the tombs of his grandfather, father and uncles.

Mourners have been urged to observe social distancing rules, as his family excepts huge crowds to participate in the funeral.

Also, the family called on those who are outside the capital to mourn him in their areas and not to come to Khartoum.

Al-Mahdi was also the leader of the Ansar religious sect.

Sudanese political groups and leaders issued statements on the death of Sadiq al-Mahdi.

Also, several foreign missions in Sudan issued statements to express their condolences on the death of the former prime minister.

(ST)