- A joint AU-UN peacekeeping mission was at officially inaugurated in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The deployment of the mission tasked with enforcing peace in the troubled region of Darfur was delayed by a dispute with the Sudanese government over its composition.
The 26,000 member mission [UNAMID] that replaces the AU observer mission is the largest peacekeeping force in the world. It entails 20,000 soldiers and 6,000 police and administrative staff.
The mission also includes close to 2,000 soldiers and police assigned by the AU and the UN in Sudan since 2004.
The mainly African troops mission will be headquartered in El-Fasher. However, in the absence of planes and helicopters, which are yet to be acquired, the mission's functions will be limited.
The UNAMID Commander, Rodolphe Adada, said people must not expect an overnight change of situation in Darfur.
“Anyway, we think that our presence can contribute to the improvement of security in Darfur and to the creation of a favourable climate for a peaceful solution of the conflict.”
But the mission that currently has 9,000 soldiers at hand, is already faced with how to contain a new offensive by Chadian and Darfur rebels that had been attacking a number of towns and villages in Western Darfur.
The Darfur crisis started in 2003 and has since then claimed the lives of more than 200,000 as well as displaced 2.5 million people. Darfuris continue to grapple with worsening humanitarian situation.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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