- The Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative has warned that the continuing tensions between Sudan and neighbouring Chad remains one of the major obstacles to the peace and security of the troubled Darfur region.
Mr Rodolphe Adada has urged the two neighbours to end hostilities along their border amid fresh accusations by Sudan of air strikes carried out in Umm Dukhum, a West Darfur village on its border with Chad.
“We are deeply concerned at such reports, which are being investigated by UNAMID, and I once again urge all parties to refrain from such escalation,” he said, emphasising that dialogue is the only solution for the tensions between Chad and Sudan.
He also urged the neighbours to desist from conflict while diplomatic efforts are being undertaken to bring an end to the ongoing tensions, saying good relations between Chad and Sudan are a key to ensuring lasting peace in the area.
In the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report to the Security Council on the work of UNAMID, he said he is deeply concerned by the ongoing instability along the border and the “inflammatory rhetoric” of both sides.
Mr Ban called on Khartoum and N’Djamena to end their support for one another’s rebel groups and to normalise their bilateral relations.
The Secretary-General has recommended that UNAMID’s mandate be extended at least through the end of July 2010, citing the numerous challenges in Darfur, despite the decrease in large-scale conflict.
An estimated 2.6 million Darfurians remain displaced from their homes and as many as 4.7 million people in total depend on humanitarian assistance, while sexual violence and banditry are also prevalent.
UN said close to 300,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted in 2003, pitting rebels against government forces and allied Janjaweed militiamen.
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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