WFP chief puts hold on Sudan aid operations, following death of 3 staff in unrest

WFP chief puts hold on Sudan aid operations, following death of 3 staff in unrest

According to a statement attributable to the Executive Director of the UN agency, Cindy McCain, the workers were carrying out life-saving duties in Kabkabiya, North Darfur. In a separate incident on Saturday, a WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) aircraft was significantly damaged at Khartoum International airport during an exchange of gunfire, seriously impacting WFP’s…

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Impunity driving violence in South Sudan, UN rights commission says

Impunity driving violence in South Sudan, UN rights commission says

The report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan details how perpetrators of the most serious crimes – including widespread attacks against civilians and extrajudicial killings – go unpunished, with senior Government officials and military implicated in serious violations.  “Over several years, our findings have consistently shown that impunity for serious crimes…

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South Sudan: Humanitarians call for justice after latest deadly attack

South Sudan: Humanitarians call for justice after latest deadly attack

The appeal comes after a convoy of more than 100 trucks transporting food and other assistance was ambushed on Friday in Jonglei state.  Two contracted drivers were shot, one fatally, and another person died in a related road accident. A humanitarian worker was injured and is currently receiving treatment.  Escalating incidents  The attacked marked the…

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Sudan holds massive political ‘workshops’, embarks on new transition phase, Security Council hears

Sudan holds massive political ‘workshops’, embarks on new transition phase, Security Council hears

“Today, we are the closest we have been to a solution, although challenges remain,” said Volker Perthes, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sudan and head of the UN’s transition assistance mission in the country, known as UNITAMS.  Landmark agreement  Mr. Perthes recalled his last briefing to the Council, on 8 December, when he welcomed the…

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Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears

Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears

“It is hard to imagine peace while State actors continue to be involved in gross human rights violations,” said Commission member Barney Afako, presenting the latest report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. “A true demonstration of the Government’s stated commitments to peace and human rights would involve dismissing the responsible officials and initiating…

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