- The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to extend, for one year, the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring sanctions imposed over the strife-torn Sudanese region of Darfur.
The 15-member body yesterday adopted a resolution allowing the group, which monitors an arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze, to continue its work through 15 October next year.
The panel, established in March 2005, is tasked with monitoring the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by Council resolutions, and inform the sanctions committee about individuals who impede the peace process, violate international law or are responsible for offensive military overflights.
Determining that the situation in Sudan continues to present a threat to international peace and regional security, the Council requested in today’s resolution that the panel coordinate its activities with the joint United Nations–African Union peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, which was established at the beginning of 2008.
UNAMID, which has lost 14 military personnel and three civilian police as a result of hostile attacks, currently stands at almost 19,000 military and police personnel, several thousand uniformed personnel short of its authorized full deployment of 26,000.
Since 2003, an estimated 300,000 people have been killed and 2.7 million others displaced in Darfur as a result of the conflict that has pitted rebels against Government forces and allied Janjaweed militiamen. All three groups have been accused of attacks against civilians and human rights abuses.
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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