Aid cuts push millions in West and Central Africa deeper into hunger

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) issued the warning on Friday, citing latest analysis from the food security framework Cadre Harmonisé, the regional equivalent of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) that uses a one to five scale – with five spelling catastrophe/famine – to inform response. It projects that 13 million children are also expected to suffer from malnutrition this year while over three million people will […]

Cholera outbreak in West and Central Africa poses crisis for children

Cholera outbreak in West and Central Africa poses crisis for children

“The heavy rains, widespread flooding and the high level of displacement are all fuelling the risk of cholera transmission and putting the lives of children at risk,” said UNICEF regional director for West and Central Africa Gilles Fagninou. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria. The disease […]

Two ex-militia leaders in Central African Republic sentenced for war crimes, crimes against humanity

Two ex-militia leaders in Central African Republic sentenced for war crimes, crimes against humanity

Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona received prison sentences of 15 and 12 years for their roles in brutal attacks against civilians – primarily from the country’s mainly Muslim Seleka population – during the 2013-14 civil war. They were found guilty “beyond any reasonable doubt” of leading and facilitating attacks on civilians in the capital, Bangui, […]

Upcoming elections ‘crucial opportunity’ for Central African Republic, UN top official tells Security Council

Upcoming elections ‘crucial opportunity’ for Central African Republic, UN top official tells Security Council

December’s local, legislative and presidential elections “represent a crucial opportunity” to strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation and consolidate stability, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations told ambassadors in the Security Council. The timely holding of presidential and legislative elections is a constitutional requirement, and the Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to holding local elections, […]

Guterres condemns deadly attack on peacekeepers in Central African Republic

Guterres condemns deadly attack on peacekeepers in Central African Republic

The ambush took place on Friday along the Birao-Am Dafock axis in the volatile Vakaga Prefecture, in northeastern CAR, close to the border with conflict-hit Sudan. According to the stabilization mission, MINUSCA, the patrol was targeted by “unidentified armed elements” in the locality of Am-Sissia. Attack may be a war crime In a statement released […]

Central Africa at a crossroads amid rising tensions and instability

Central Africa at a crossroads amid rising tensions and instability

With violence worsening in both the Lake Chad Basin and the Great Lakes, the Security Council met on Monday to examine the threats confronting the wider region. “Central Africa remains rich in potential, but the challenges are still significant,” said Abdou Abarry, Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). Some progress While […]

More than 50 million in West and Central Africa at risk of hunger

More than 50 million in West and Central Africa at risk of hunger

More than 36 million are struggling to meet their basic food needs, which is projected to rise to over 52 million during the lean season from June to August, latest analysis reveals. This includes almost three million people facing emergency conditions, and 2,600 people in Mali who are at risk of catastrophic hunger. Although needs […]