- United Nations has extended mandate of a peacekeeping mission in eastern Chad and Central African Republic beyond March 2009 expiration of the force's mandate.
UN Security Council adopted a resolution extending mandate while it considers forming a new peacekeeping operation to replace military forces from European Union, which was dispatched to the region to help refugees and maintain security.
Council decided a year ago to deploy a European Union peacekeeping force in the two countries, as well as a UN mission, to train and support Chadian police to guard UN run refugee camps.
Since early this year, more than 3,000 European soldiers from different member states have begun a one-year mission to protect refugees, civilians and aid workers in eastern Chad from conflict spilling over from Sudan's Darfur region.
In June Chadian president criticised EU peacekeepers for allegedly backing rebels and failing to protect civilians as rebels were advancing and claiming victory in three Chadian towns.
International charity Oxfam also said this month that United Nations and EU had failed to protect civilians from violence in eastern Chad and should urgently strengthen policing operations there.
Conflict that flared in Darfur region five years ago after rebels took up arms against Sudan's government has led to refugees being driven into neighbouring countries to flee attacks by pro-government militia, called Janjaweed.
Eastern Chad is a temporary home to some 300,000 Sudan refugees who have fled conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region and over 180 000 Chadians displaced by war between government and rebels.
European Union is deploying a total of 3,700 troops, including 2,200 French soldiers, to help protect Sudanese refugees and Chadians uprooted by the conflict.
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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