- The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern over the weeks of violence in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, which has led to a growing number of displaced Somali population.
The fighting between forces loyal to the Somali transitional federal government and the opposition groups have so far left over 130 dead and 300 wounded, according to reports.
UNHCR reported that the average displacement has increased sharply with the escalation of violence in the capital, with an estimated 30,000 people in the Somali capital that fled their homes last week only.
The agency further stated that the center of Mogadishu's hospitals are crowded with the victims, saying many people are trapped in their homes as armed forces roam in the city.
Last Friday, the UN Security Council and the UN expressed a deep concern at reports that claim that Eritrea has provided arms to the opponents of the transitional government. Somalia is currently under the arms embargo.
The Council has requested the Group Controller of UN Sanctions to investigate arms reports.
The council further urged both the National Security and opposition groups to immediately cease its offensive and to disarm, and to renounce violence and join the national reconciliation efforts.
The Transitional Government of Somalia has accused Eritrea of supporting the militant extremist group Al Shabab, with an assortment of assault rifles such asthe AK-47, grenades and other weapons.
The fighting between government forces and Islamist fighters in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, which started more than a week ago, had advanced to the edge of the presidential palace late last week.
The Horn of Africa nation has been marred by constant civil conflict dating as far back as in the early 1990’s. It is estimated that more than 16,000 civilians have been killed by fighting since the start of 2007, with thousands more displaced.
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.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español