Africa

A selection of the best photos from across Africa this week.

Africa's first Google Code-in winner has left his hometown, because Cameroon has cut the internet there.

February 09, 2017 (JUBA) - Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, visited area controlled by allies of former First Vice President Riek Machar in Unity state to discuss humanitarian and peace processes.

The Special Representative of the U.N Secretary General in South Sudan David Shearer, February 1, 2017 (ST)

Shearer, returned to Juba on Thursday from a two-day field visit to Bentiu and Leer, which have been most-affected by the country's ongoing conflict.

In Bentiu, he reportedly met state government officials, as well as internally displaced people who are living in the largest protection of civilians site in the country.

In Leer, he visited the mission's temporary operating base to assess UNMISS' success in mounting robust patrols which push the mission's presence deep into the field.

"He [Shearer] held discussions with local officials and also took the opportunity to travel to an opposition-controlled area to meet with pro-Machar representatives so he could hear all shades of opinion on how to facilitate humanitarian assistance and advance the peace process," the mission said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The local opposition reportedly the head of the UN mission in South Sudan that they support the current localized cessation of hostilities and remain in a defensive position which they hope will encourage the return of humanitarian agencies to Leer.

"Both the local authorities and the opposition praised the UN for its efforts to facilitate communications between them," noted the statement, adding,"Shearer heard that they both recognize that an inclusive national dialogue will assist the peace process"

This was the first time UNMISS visited Machar's territory since fighting resumed in July 2016 forcing the armed opposition leader to flee the South Sudanese capital.

According to UNMISS, pro-Machar supporters have accepted an inclusive peace process.

"The local opposition told Mr Shearer that they support the current localized cessation of hostilities and remain in a defensive position which they hope will encourage the return of humanitarian agencies to Leer," further noted the U.N statement.

(ST)

February 09, 2017 (WAU) – Two suspects have been arrested in connection with last week's murder of the first lady's driver in South Sudan's town of Wau, the municipal council mayor disclosed.

Mel Aleu Goc said state authorities zeroed on the two suspects after investigations found out that they played roles in the killing.

“One of them is a young woman, who is accused of coordinating the killing of Arabi Ramadan through inviting the guards for an evening meal in her house,” said Goc.

The suspect woman, according to the mayor, admitted that she invited the guard and later informed the killers to execute the act.

The late Ramadan was found dead in the house of the woman at Jazeera residential area in Wau town on Wednesday, last week.

“The security agents have so far arrested two people, including the woman who invited the presidential guard into her house on Wednesday evening where he was killed and now the two which are still at large are being perused,” said mayor.

State authorities condemned the murder, calling for thorough investigations.

(ST)

February 9, 2017 (EL-FASHER) - European Union envoys to Sudan Thursday discussed with the North Darfur officials the state government post-conflict plans to collect arms and recovery strategies.

The European envoys are visiting Darfur to assess the efforts of the Sudanese authorities to deal with the post-conflict environment which is characterized by insecurity and lawlessness, badly functioning economies, and a lack of social services and social cohesion.

Following a meeting with the visiting EU delegation, North Darfur Deputy Governor Mohamed Birama told reporters that the delegation of 16 European diplomats asked them about disarmament issues.

"We conveyed to them that the issue has received a considerable attention from the state government and the Sudanese presidency, and that the collection of arms is implemented in accordance with a specific strategic plan designed by the central government," he said.

"We explained to them that the purpose of the visit to the state of the Vice President of the Republic these days, is to deliver a strong message to citizens who possess weapons without a license that they have to prepare themselves to arms-collection campaigns and as a state we are ready to implement it. "

Last April, President Omer al-Bashir, denounced the tribal fighting in Darfur and announced the formation of a national body to collect illegal arms in Darfur region, pointing that the region now is pacified and rebel groups are defeated.

The EU diplomats will also visit West Darfur to measure the security situation and discuss the challenges facing the development of the region.

The EU considers to participate in the development and recovery programmes of the region which has witnessed a 14 year armed conflict as it pledged in the international donor meeting for Darfur in April 2013.

The French Ambassador, Bruno Aubert told Sudan Tribune the meeting discussed development issues but also the peace process and stability in the region, adding that the EU relations with the Sudan are at a turning point and entered a new phase characterized by the dialogue.

The deputy governor said the EU diplomats confirmed their readiness contribute to the development and infrastructure programmes in the state and to support the voluntary return programme of displaced people to their villages.

The visiting delegation also paid a visit to the headquarters of Darfur hybrid peacekeeping operation, UNAMID, where they were briefed about the Mission's efforts to protect civilians and support humanitarian operations in the region.

(ST)

With already more than 3.5 million displaced within and outside the borders of South Sudan and thousands more driven to neighbouring countries every day, the United Nations refugee agency has appealed for an urgent peaceful resolution to what has now become Africa&#39s worst refugee crisis.

The heads of the United Nations agencies for human rights, migrants, and refugees, and the UN envoy for Libya, today met in Geneva calling for international solidarity to address the flows of migrants and refugees in the North African country.

Welcoming political and security progress in Somalia since 2012, including the recently concluded elections in the country, the United Nations Security Council today highlighted the need to &#8220maintain the momentum&#8221 towards democratic governance in the African nation.

Two businesswomen in Nigeria describe what it's like to run their businesses in a country where 40% of women are entrepreneurs.

MPs of a radical opposition party brawl with security guards as they are ejected from parliament.

Punches are thrown as some South African MPs disrupt President Zuma's State of the Nation address.

Victorious Cameroon footballers ridicule a minister's bow when they meet president.

Ghana's new government counts its presidential fleet only to find more than 200 cars are unaccounted for.

Somalia has a new, apparently popular president. His main challenges include making federalism work, reducing corruption and improving security.

South Africans have had enough of broken promises and bad governance, reports the BBC's Andrew Harding from Port Elizabeth.

Secretary-General António Guterres joined the wider United Nations and its international partners in congratulating Mohamed Abdullahi &#39Farmajo&#39 upon his election as the Somalia&#39s new President and pledging to work with him and his new Government to tackle urgent national priorities, including averting famine.

Denouncing forceful entry by armed individuals into a hospital in the Central African Republic&#39s restive PK5 neighbourhood with the intention to kill some of the patients, a senior United Nations humanitarian official has emphasized that such incidents are in violation of the international humanitarian law.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today voiced concern about an escalation in the fighting between Government and opposition forces in the west bank of the River Nile in the African country&#39s north-eastern region.

Congratulating former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmajo’ on his election as Somalia’s new President, the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNSOM) said the UN and the wider international community are ready to assist him in addressing the myriad challenges that await his Government.

Côte d&#39Ivoire is on the path to durable stability, the United Nations envoy for the country today told the Security Council, but warned that authorities need to invest more in national reconciliation and transitional justice, and to improve the economic, social and cultural rights of Ivoirians.