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Mali: WFP Mali Brief: Reporting period: 01 January – 31 March 2015

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Mali

Summary of WFP assistance:

Under the three-year Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) launched in January 2015 to respond to the complex crisis in Mali, WFP plans to assist up to 1.1 million beneficiaries this year through targeted distributions (food and cash), specialized nutritional products, and blanket and targeted supplementary feeding programmes for children and pregnant and lactating women. The PRRO will cover WFP’s main operations in 2015, complemented by the Country Programme (CP). It will promote stability and seek to achieve zero hunger in vulnerable communities, maintain emergency-response capacity, protect beneficiaries and promote women’s participation.

In parallel to the PRRO, the Country Programme (CP) has been extended for 6 months and will maintain assistance to 106,921 beneficiaries through a pilot project of cash for caretakers of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and concurrently build resilience in the southern region. Under the Country Programme, poor households are targeted through nutrition, education and rural development activities including an extensive resilience-building project to increase their food security. Innovation is at the core of the Country Programme, with two pilot programmes in nutrition. Both the PRRO and the CP are aligned with WFP’s Strategic Objectives 1, 2 and 4, Millennium Development Goals 1 and 4, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2015–2019) and national policies and programmes.


Chad: WFP Chad | Brief : Reporting period: 01 January – 31 March 2015

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Chad

COUNTRY STRATEGY

Under PRRO 200713, WFP will shift from relief to enhancing resilience by increasing the capacity of vulnerable populations to respond to shocks through market-based mechanisms, vulnerability-based targeting, a community-based approach to nutrition interventions and seasonal assistance for 2.2 million people.

Through the Regional EMOP 200777, WFP responds to the needs of up to 10,000 people fleeing conflict in Nigeria and 2,000 people in host communities. New arrivals fleeing conflict from CAR and not covered under the PRRO are being assisted under Regional EMOP 200799.

Under Dev 200288 WFP aims to improve enrolment and attendance rates for children from vulnerable households. “WFP has been present in Chad since 1968.”

Burkina Faso: WFP Burkina Faso | Brief Reporting period: 01 January – 31 March 2015

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Burkina Faso

WFP’s long-term vision for Burkina Faso is to ensure food and nutrition security for the poorest and most vulnerable households. The overall country strategy is to provide a framework for assisting the Government in accelerating socio-economic growth and reduce poverty. Three strategic priorities have been retained to define WFP’s role in Burkina Faso and provide a basis for strategic partnerships with national and international organizations. The three strategic priorities are: (1) enhance the national capacity to respond to crises and build household resilience to shocks; (2) support the development of human capital through social protection programmes; and (3) strengthen small-scale producers’ skills and capacities in marketing and processing agricultural products. WFP has been present in Burkina Faso since 1967.

Mauritania: WFP Mauritania Brief: Reporting period: 01 January – 31 March 2015

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Mauritania

Summary of WFP assistance

WFP provides for the immediate food and nutrition needs of vulnerable households affected by recurrent food crises in Mauritania, while also supporting the government’s resilience building efforts. For instance, through General Food Distributions using food or cash modalities to assist severely food insecure households during the peak of lean season; Food Assistance for Asset/Cash (FFA) or food transfer activities; support to village food reserves; and treatment and prevention of malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months and pregnant and nursing women. WFP also supports national capacity building for emergency preparedness and response activities. In addition, through the Country Programme, WFP provides school feeding to children enrolled in public primary schools – or in mahadras (Koranic schools) where public schools do not exist – in eight rural regions marked by low attendance, high food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty. WFP also collaborates with the government to enhance resilience to the adverse effects of climate change by improving technical services, protecting natural resources and encouraging sustainable livelihood at community level. Additionally, WFP addresses life-saving needs of refugees who have fled the conflict in northern Mali and seek asylum in Mauritania. WFP provides food and nutrition assistance, as well as emergency school feeding to Malian refugees in Mberra. Lastly, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Mauritania was established as WFP’s Special Operation (SO) 200406 in March 2012 to complement humanitarian efforts in response to reduced agro pastoral production in the Sahel region and refugee influx from Mali into Mauritania. The service is the main mean through which humanitarian personnel access beneficiaries from the capital, Nouakchott. WFP interventions in the country focus on the eight rural regions marked by highest food insecurity and malnutrition rates. WFP operations in country are aligned with the government’s strategies for poverty reduction, nutrition and malnutrition. Operations support all four WFP strategic Objectives for 2014-2017, and contribute to Millennium Development Goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Gambia: WFP The Gambia Brief: Reporting period: 01 January – 31 March 2015

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Gambia

Summary of WFP assistance: WFP supports the government in pursuing both development and humanitarian objectives. While WFP is committed to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable, it is also assisting the government in its efforts to meet national priorities and contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

WFP started a Development Project 200327 in August 2012, with the goal of establishing the foundation for a transition towards a nationally owned and managed sustainable school feeding programme. The project, which focuses on capacity development, also aims to ensure that the gains seen in increasing access to education under previous development projects are consolidated and improved upon, especially in regions with significantly low rates of enrollment and retention.

WFP started implementing a Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 200557 in June 2013 as a follow up to IR-EMOP 200411 (Immediate Response - Emergency Operation) and EMOP 200421 in 2013 that provided food assistance to drought and flood affected populations across the country.

PRRO 200557 began in response to high malnutrition levels and aims to enable the recovery of households after two climatic shocks in 2011 and 2012. The goal of the operation is to enable communities impacted by the two emergencies to fully recover from the shocks, meet their daily food requirements and prevent deterioration of the nutritional and health situation. Components of the operation include blanket and targeted supplementary feeding assistance to children 6-59 months; targeted supplementary feeding for pregnant and lactating mothers; livelihood activities with cash transfers as the modality of assistance for vulnerable households in the targeted communities; and supporting the national disaster risk reduction agenda and enhance government capacity in emergency preparedness and response.

Cameroon: WFP Cameroon | Brief Reporting period: 01 January – 31 March 2015

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Source: World Food Programme
Country: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria

WFP activities in Cameroon respond to challenges related to food insecurity, moderate acute malnutrition, and emergency support to vulnerable inhabitants and refugees.

WFP is responding to the current large-scale influx of refugees in the east and the northern regions of Cameroon.

Support to beneficiaries is provided under two primary Emergency Operations (EMOP), a relief programme (PRRO), and a Country Programme (CP) geared towards school feeding.

WFP has been present in Cameroon since 1978 and has been a key player for both development and humanitarian assistance.

Niger: Niger : les pays du Sahel appellent à faire bloc contre immigration clandestine et terrorisme

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Source: Agence France-Presse
Country: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger

Niamey, Niger | AFP | jeudi 14/05/2015 - 15:12 GMT

Les pays du Sahel ont affirmé jeudi leur volonté de faire bloc face à la menace terroriste et aux trafics de migrants, soutenus par le ministre français de l'Intérieur Bernard Cazeneuve qui les a appelés à "une coopération renforcée".

Il y a "nécessité de fédérer les efforts" pour "apporter une réponse durable" aux défis sécuritaires et migratoires, qui "dépassent largement la capacité des Etats", a affirmé Najim Elhadj Mohamed, le secrétaire permanent du G5 du Sahel, une instance créée l'an dernier, dont font partie Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger et Tchad.

"La mise en commun des efforts s'avère de nos jours indispensable", a acquiescé Cheickna Ceyti Diawara, le ministre malien de l'Aménagement du territoire durant cette réunion se tenant jeudi à Niamey.

"Il est heureux de constater que notre région a pris la pleine conscience de l'ampleur du fléau et qu'elle ait décidé d'agir de façon concertée pour le contrer", a-t-il observé.

Le G5 du Sahel a été fondé par ses cinq membres pour lutter ensemble contre la menace terroriste dans la région, où les groupes jihadistes Aqmi et Boko Haram sont notamment actifs et où le niveau de développement est parmi les plus bas au monde.

Le Sahel constitue également l'une des principales routes migratoires pour les migrants d'Afrique subsaharienne souhaitant se rendre en Europe. Agadez, la capitale du nord du Niger, est le dernier lieu de regroupement massif de clandestins avant la Libye.

La création d'un système de communication informatisé et sécurisé permettant l'échange d'informations, "clé de l'efficacité dans la lutte contre le terrorisme et la criminalité organisée", a ainsi été actée jeudi a Niamey, s'est félicité Bernard Cazeneuve, venu pour l'ouverture de ce sommet régional.

La "coopération renforcée" entre pays en première ligne doit être "une des priorités" du G5 du Sahel, a estimé le ministre français de l'Intérieur.

L'Union européenne mettait de son côté le cap jeudi sur l'établissement d'une opération navale pour lutter contre les trafiquants de migrants en Méditerranée dès la semaine prochaine, espérant arracher un feu vert de l'ONU dans la foulée.

Quelque 1.800 personnes sont mortes dans des naufrages depuis le début de l'année, selon l'Organisation internationale des migrations. De nombreux autres périssent régulièrement dans la traversée du Sahel.

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© 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse

Mali: Le Chef de la MINUSMA encouragé par le progrès réalisé dans le processus de paix

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Source: UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
Country: Mali

Le Représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général et Chef de la MINUSMA, M. Mongi Hamdi, s’est dit être encouragé par le paraphe aujourd’hui à Alger de l’Accord de Paix et de Réconciliation Nationale par la Coordination des Mouvements de l’Azawad (CMA).

«Ce paraphe me conforte dans mon optimisme au sujet du processus de paix qui entrera dans une phase déterminante avec la signature demain de l’Accord de Paix. J’appelle toutes les parties prenantes dans ce processus à persévérer dans leurs efforts pour démontrer à toute la population malienne et à la communauté internationale leur volonté de s’inscrire dans la logique de la paix, » a déclaré M. Mongi Hamdi.

« Nous continuerons à travailler sans relâche pour parachever la signature de l’Accord et il en va de la responsabilité de tous les acteurs en présence sur le terrain d’être à la hauteur de leurs engagements », a ajouté le Représentant Spécial.

« La MINUSMA, la communauté internationale et tous les amis du Mali sont présents pour accompagner les parties maliennes dans le processus de paix et pour assurer son succès à établir une paix juste, crédible et durable. La population malienne et la communauté internationale attendent des actes forts de la part des parties engagées dans le processus de paix. A elles de traduire leur promesse de paix en actions tangibles sur le terrain pour le bénéfice de toute la population sur l’ensemble du territoire malien,» a conclu M. Hamdi.


El Salvador: Evacuan por oleaje a 56 familias en Barra Ciega, Sonsonate

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Source: Redhum
Country: El Salvador

El Salvador, 13 de Mayo 2015
Fuente: El Diario de Hoy

La medida es preventiva, ya que Protección Civil informó que en la zona, las olas ya ingresaron 25 metros fuera de la línea de playa.

Al menos 56 familias fueron evacuadas por prevención la mañana del miércoles en Barra Ciega, Sonsonate, a causa del fuerte oleaje que afecta la costa salvadoreña.

Protección Civil indicó en su cuenta de Twitter que se trata de unas 251 personas en total, las que han dejado la zona, que ya estaba susceptible por el aleaje anterior.

Además, se informó que en el lugar, las olas ya ingresaron 25 metros fuera de la línea de playa.

Ante el anuncio del incremento del oleaje en las costas salvadoreñas, habitantes y comerciantes de la zona se encuentran alertas.

Durante la mañana, la marea se ha ido incrementando poco a poco.

En Ahuachapán, Protección Civil reporta olas que se están saliendo fuera de la línea de playa hasta 20 a 25 metros.

Usuarios de redes sociales reportan que las olas ya han ingresado en la playa y en algunos negocios del Majahual, en La Libertad.

A pesar de que Protección Civil pidió a la población no ingresar al mar mientras dure el fenómeno, audiencias reportaron a surfistas en el agua.

Autoridades informaron que se prevén para hoy olas de 2.1 metro con tendencia a decrecer sobre la zona occidental, explicó.

Se espera que el oleaje sea por menos de 24 horas, y pidieron a los residentes de la costa estar retirada de ella a 200 metros.

Mali: Head of MINUSMA encouraged by progress in peace process

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Source: UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
Country: Mali

Bamako, 14 May 2015 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSMA, Mr. Mongi Hamdi, has said he feels encouraged by the initialling of the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement by the Coordination des Mouvements de l’Azawad (CMA) in Algiers today.

"This confirms my optimism about the peace process, which will enter into a decisive phase with the signing of the Peace Agreement tomorrow. I call upon all stakeholders in this process to continue their efforts to demonstrate to all the people of Mali and to the international community their willingness to be part of the logic of peace," said Mr. Mongi Hamdi.

"We will continue to work tirelessly to complete the signing of the Agreement and it is the responsibility of all actors present on the ground to live up to their commitments," the Special Representative added.

"MINUSMA, the international community and all friends of Mali are present to support the Malian parties in the peace process and to ensure its success in establishing a just, credible and lasting peace. The people of Mali and the international community expect strong action from the parties engaged in the peace process. It is up to them to translate their promise of peace into tangible actions on the ground for the benefit of all the people of Mali, throughout the Malian territory, "concluded Mr. Hamdi.

Mali: OCHA Mali - Flash Update 1 : Déplacement de population – région de Tombouctou, 14 mai 2015

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Mali

Plus de 6200 personnes se sont déplacées dans le cercle de Gourma Raghous de la région de Tombouctou au cours des derniers jours à la suite de nouvelles violences qui ont touché cette zone du nord du Mali. Des attaques ou accrochages impliquant des individus armés ont été rapportés dans plusieurs villages du cercle le long du fleuve Niger entre le 8 et le 12 mai. Ces violences ont notamment limité la libre circulation des populations, perturbé les activités marchandes et les moyens de subsistance des communautés.

Selon les autorités locales, environ 4395 personnes ont trouvé refuge dans la ville de Gourma Rharous en provenance des villages environnants de Sahamar, Gaberi, Waribihen et Takakoye. Les personnes déplacées sont actuellement dans des sites d’accueil temporaires aménagés dans des bâtiments publics ou sont hébergés par des familles d’accueil.

Plus à l’ouest, dans la commune de Séréré, environ 1850 autres personnes ont fui le village de Goungouberi qui a été la cible d’une attaque le 11 mai. Ces personnes se sont réfugiées sur la rive opposée du fleuve Niger où elles campent dans des conditions précaires.

D’autres mouvements de population ont été signalés ailleurs dans la région de Tombouctou dans le cercle de Goundam à la suite des combats enregistrés le 11 mai entre les Forces de défense et de sécurité maliennes et des éléments de la Coordination des mouvements de l’Azawad (CMA). À ce stade, aucune estimation du nombre de déplacés dans le cercle de Goundam n’est disponible.

L'insécurité ambiante rend les zones touchées difficiles d'accès. Malgré cela, les organisations humanitaires – Nations Unies et ONG – intervenant dans la région de Tombouctou évaluent actuellement les besoins générés par ces nouveaux déplacements en vue de soutenir les efforts des autorités pour fournir une assistance en eau, nourriture, santé, protection, abri et articles de première nécessité aux personnes affectées.

Un autre flash update sera émis dès que de nouvelles informations seront disponibles.

Mali: Feature - How one Malian town is trying to fight against hunger

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Source: Reuters - AlertNet
Country: Mali

Author: Chris Arsenault

DJIMEBOUGOU, MALI, May 14 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Dust blows through the dry fields of Djimebougou village of central Mali as a dozen men, some in ripped jeans and others in traditional robes, dig into hard-packed sand to reinforce a dyke to channel scarce water onto thirsty fields.

Read the full article

Chad: Alarming Rise of Malnutrition and Food Insecurity in Western Chad

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Source: UN Children's Fund
Country: Chad, Nigeria

More than 500 000 people affected by the backlash of the Boko Haram Crisis and poor harvest

Mao – Bagasola - May 12th, 2015 - It is market day in the little town of Bagasola, alongside Lake Chad. Since early morning, under the shade of wooden and reed shacks, merchants, artisans and local traders are rushing around in what used to be a hub trade in the region.

Zara Gayi is eight-months pregnant, she is only twenty-five and has four children. She is selling mangos, tomatoes and vegetables in the market of Bagasola, and can make 600 Nairas profit on a good day (2.50€). “My husband used to ride boats to Nigeria. Since the border closure months ago, he cannot work anymore. In the past, he could earn one hundred thousand Nairas a month (450€). Now he is at home, feeling powerless and depressed” she said.

Since January 2015, an estimated 18,000 Nigerian refugees and 8,500 Chadian returnees fled violence linked to Boko Haram in Northeastern Nigeria into Chad. In Bagasola, this influx of population is an additional burden. The Lake Region depends on commerce with Nigeria, farming and fishing on the lake for subsistence. With the border closed and insecurity in Nigeria, markets for cattle and farming products are shut down.

Mr Dimouya Soua Pebe is the Deputy Head of District of Bagasola: “Local food reserves will run out well before the next harvest. Refugees also have right to access water, health centers and send their children to school. Unfortunately, we cannot cover all these needs alone, partners such as UNICEF are supporting us but we are calling for more efforts to prevent more human suffering.”

Khadidja Adoum is 24, her face and silhouette witness the hardship she is facing. Poor rainfalls, bad harvest and a chronic food insecurity are the daily realities of the communities of her village, Loumba Arameda in the Kanem Region.

Married when she was fifteen, she is hardly raising her four children: “We have no source of income and we don’t own any cattle or land. My husband only has an old cart, he is carrying bricks or any other goods when trucks are passing by the market and makes little money. After the rainy season, we farm along the wadis (Arabic term for a valley of a stream usually dry except during the rainy season) but last year we harvest only one hundred kilo of millet covering only three months of our needs. At the moment, we cannot afford to buy much in the market, cereals are too expensive” she said.

A recent survey conducted by WFP highlighted alarming food insecurity in Kanem, Lake and Barh El Gazal Regions. The number of food insecure people have increased from 339,000 to 552,000 in six months. With the border closed and insecurity in Nigeria, markets for cattle and agriculture products are shut down. The survey has also shown increased prices and high levels of household debt due to poor rainfalls and bad harvest in 2014.

Two of Khadidja’s children were admitted to the in-patient facility of the Mondo health center for the fourth time this year. They suffer from severe acute malnutrition with medical complications. “I am trying to feed them once a day, but it is not enough. A few years ago, I lost two children, one has died in my arms on the way to the health center. I have to walk two hours to come here, when I arrived, it was too late“ she said, bitter.

90% of the 2015 annual prevision for malnutrition admissions in the Kanem region has already been reached in the first quarter of the year putting a serious strain on the capacity of the health centres to adequately respond. Dr Sylvestre Bebang, the District Medical Officer is worried about the situation in his district: “We conducted an assessment in November 2014 and estimated that monthly two hundred and twenty nine children would need treatment for malnutrition in my district. Yet, in April 2015, we screened more than one thousand children. Unfortunately, we could only treat the most severely affected and mothers are desperate. If we don’t improve our response we can expect the worst for the lean season.” “Given the impact of both the seasonal and conflict related issues, there is now a need for the humanitarian community to accelerate their responses with emergency food and nutrition assistance. At least €1.5 million are required to cover the needs and relieve the suffering of the populations” concluded Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Chad.

Mali: Signature de l'accord de paix à Bamako, sans les principaux groupes rebelles

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Source: Agence France-Presse
Country: Mali

Bamako, Mali | AFP | vendredi 15/05/2015 - 18:53 GMT

Des représentants du gouvernement malien, de mouvements armés et de la médiation internationale ont signé vendredi après-midi à Bamako l'accord de paix conclu à Alger, en l'absence cependant des principaux groupes de la rébellion à dominante touareg, ont constaté des journalistes de l'AFP.

Le document a été signé par le ministre malien des Affaires étrangères Abdoulaye Diop, trois représentants de groupes pro-gouvernementaux, ainsi que deux membres de la Coordination des mouvements de l'Azawad (CMA, rébellion).

Mais les trois principaux groupes rebelles, Mouvement national de libération de l'Azawad (MNLA), Haut conseil pour l'unité de l'Azawad (HCUA) et branche rebelle du Mouvement arabe de l'Azawad (MAA) n'assistaient pas à la signature, comme annoncé.

L'accord a par ailleurs été signé par des représentants de plusieurs pays et organisations au nom de la médiation internationale : Algérie, Burkina Faso, Mauritanie, Niger, Nigeria, Tchad, Union africaine (UA), ONU, Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (Cedeao), Organisation de la coopération islamique (OCI), Union européenne et France.

La cérémonie, qui a débuté avec une heure et demie de retard sur l'horaire annoncé, a rassemblé autour du président malien Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta une dizaine de ses homologues africains.

Parmi eux, le Zimbabwéen Robert Mugabe, par ailleurs président en exercice de l'UA, qui a longuement été applaudi par l'assistance, ainsi que le Nigérian Goodluck Jonathan, le Ghanéen John Dramani Mahama et le Rwandais Paul Kagame.

Etaient également présents des chefs de gouvernement et représentants de plusieurs autres pays, ainsi que les ex-présidents maliens Moussa Traoré et Dioncounda Traoré.

L'accord vise à instaurer une paix durable dans le nord du Mali, qui a connu une série de rébellions touareg depuis les premières années d'indépendance du pays, en 1960. En 2012, il a été transformé en sanctuaire et en base d'opérations jihadiste, jusqu'au lancement de l'opération militaire française Serval en janvier 2013.

Le texte avait été paraphé par le gouvernement malien et ses alliés le 1er mars à Alger, après huit mois d'intenses négociations. La CMA l'a paraphé jeudi, au bout de deux mois et demi de pressions et d'atermoiements, après avoir prévenu qu'elle ne viendrait pas le signer vendredi à Bamako.

Mais, deux représentants de groupes de la CMA sont venus apposer leur signature au bas du document: Mohamed Ousmane Ag Mohamedoun de la Coalition du peuple pour l'Azawad (CPA) et Younoussa Touré, de la Coordination des Mouvements et fronts patriotiques de résistance (CM-FPR2).

Dans un communiqué diffusé dans l'après-midi,, la CPA a annoncé avoir suspendu M. Ag Mohamedoun en raison de sa présence à la cérémonie de signature.

Sur le terrain, dans le nord du pays, des affrontements opposaient près de Ménaka des groupes armés pro-Bamako et ceux de la CMA, d'après une source militaire au sein de la force de l'ONU au Mali (Minusma), qui n'était pas en mesure de fournir un bilan ni de précisions sur ces heurts.

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© 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse

Mali: Mali peace accord signed without main rebel groups

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Source: Agence France-Presse
Country: Mali

Bamako, Mali | AFP | Friday 5/15/2015 - 19:15 GMT

by Serge DANIEL

Mali's government and several armed groups signed a peace accord Friday in a ceremony attended by numerous heads-of-state but missing the crucial backing of the main Tuareg-led rebel groups.

The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) had provisionally initialled the document a day earlier but is demanding concessions and its three principal factions did not attend the rubber-stamping ceremony in the Malian capital Bamako.

The so-called "Algiers Accord" aims to bring stability to the north, the cradle of several Tuareg uprisings since the 1960s and a stronghold for al-Qaeda-linked jihadists who have been regrouping since they were ousted by the French in 2013.

It was signed by Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, three representatives of pro-Bamako militias and two minor members of the CMA rebellion, as well as a team of mediators led by Algeria.

The international community has been increasing pressure on the CMA to get on board the peace process as a means of isolating the jihadists, particularly since an Islamist attack on March 7 in Bamako in which two Europeans died.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who chairs the African Union, attended along with around 20 heads of government and state from across the region and numerous other dignitaries.

The televised ceremony -- which follows months of UN-backed negotiations -- went ahead against the odds amid repeated recent violations of a ceasefire deal agreed between the army and various pro-government and rebel militias.

But it risked being largely devoid of substance without the signatures of the Tuareg-dominated National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and High Council for the Unity of Azawad. The Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) was also absent.

  • 'Important step' -

"Today is a very important step. It's true we would have liked the presence of everyone, but it is important that the process moves forward," said French development minister Annick Girardin

"The development of Mali can only be achieved in peace. Without peace, there can be no development. And France, Mali's friend, will always be at its side to achieve this."

Observers had said the international community could consider the ceremony a partial success if it persuaded at least some rebel groups within the CMA to sign the accord.

The alliance had been expected to present a united front but, to the surprise of many at the ceremony, two representatives of minor CMA groups took part.

One of them, Mohamed Ousmane Ag Mohamedoun of the Coalition of People of Azawad, was suspended after the ceremony, his group announced.

Federica Mogherini, the chief diplomat of the European Union, had earlier downplayed the absence of the most important rebel groups, arguing that the signature "by most stakeholders is a decisive step".

"Initialling is a sign of good faith to move towards a final, comprehensive and lasting solution but further adjustments are needed before signing," rebel representative Almou Ag Mohamed said in Algiers on Thursday, explaining the CMA's decision to boycott Friday's ceremony.

Another CMA leader, Sidi Brahim Oud Sidat, said there would be further negotiations on the alliance's political and security demands.

"Once these requests are met, we will sign the agreement," he said.

  • Red line -

Mali was shaken by a coup in 2012 which cleared the way for Tuareg separatists to seize the towns and cities of the vast northern desert.

Militants linked to Al-Qaeda then overpowered the Tuareg to take control of northern Mali for nearly 10 months, imposing a brutal interpretation of Islamic law with punitive amputations and executions.

A French-led military offensive ousted the militants but the country remains deeply divided, with the Tuareg and Arab populations of the north accusing sub-Saharan ethnic groups in the more prosperous south of marginalising them.

Northern Mali has seen an upsurge in attacks by pro-government militias and various factions of the Tuareg-led rebellion, leaving many dead on both sides.

The Algiers Accord calls for the creation of elected regional assemblies but not autonomy or federalism, in deference to the concerns of the government about separatism.

The CMA has said it will not accept a deal without an amendment recognising "Azawad", the name used by the Tuareg for the northern part of Mali, as a "geographic, political and juridical entity".

Yvan Guichaoua, a lecturer at the University of East Anglia in Britain and an expert on the Sahel region, said the mediation team had been too keen to impose its own constraints on the talks.

He criticised its requirement "that the participants align with its anti-terrorist agenda in a bid to draw a red line between the reputable armed movements and the pariah armed movements".

"This May 15 is not a very glorious day but nothing prevents further work," he told AFP.

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© 1994-2015 Agence France-Presse


Niger: Niger SRP 2015: Funding Status as of 15 May 2015

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Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Niger

Chad: Tchad : Mise à jour sur l’urgence au Lac - 29 Avril - 07 Mai 2015, No. 18

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Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Chad, Niger, Nigeria

DERNIERS DEVELOPPEMENTS

  • Suite à l’information relative à l’afflux de population venant du Niger et Nigeria dans la Sous-Préfecture de Daboua, Département de Mamdi/Région du Lac, une mission conjointe UNHCR, CNARR et OCHA a été déployée dans la zone le 03 Mai 2015. Pour des raisons de sécurité, la mission n’a pas atteint sa destination finale et a dû s’arrêter à Hakoui Tchoulouma, un village situé à 95km de Bagasola et composé d’une population d’environ 300 personnes, en majorité des pêcheurs. Une évaluation rapide montre que les nouveaux arrivants sont des réfugiés et retournés estimés à environ 1,600 individus en provenance du Niger et du Nigeria. Par ailleurs, un éclaireur envoyé en mission à Kaiga Kindiria, une île située la frontière du Tchad, a rapporté que la situation semble plus dramatique dans cette localité avec un effectif approximatif des populations de 7000 personnes dont la moitié serait composée de réfugiés Nigériens and Nigérians.

  • Une mission conjointe HCR et CNARR de monitoring a été conduite du 22 au 28 Avril 2015 dans la Région du Mayo Kebbi Est, le long de la zone frontalière entre le Tchad et le Cameroun, dans le but de faire le suivi de la situation des personnes de nationalités Nigériane, Camerounaise et Tchadienne arrivées suite aux attaques de Boko Haram au Nigeria et le nombre élevé de réfugiés et de Personnes Déplacées Internes à l’Extreme Nord du Cameroun; d’évaluer les conditions de vie, de discuter avec les autorités des derniers développements et de rencontrer les partenaires opérationnels dans la zone. Cette troisième mission du HCR dans la Région a été aussi effectuée en vue de recueillir les éléments pertinents et actuels pour affiner et réactualiser le plan de contingence de la réponse à la situation nigériane

Gambia: Gambia: Food Insecurity - Emergency appeal n° MDRGM010

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Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Country: Gambia

This Emergency Appeal seeks a total of CHF 1,570,943 to enable the IFRC to support the Gambia Red Crescent Society (GRCS) to deliver assistance and support to a total of 63,100 people consisting of immediate to short-term assistance to some 14,100 people including 1,800 households (12,600 people) plus 1,500 children and pregnant / lactating women) and mid to longer-term support to some 49,000 people (7,000 households) over a total timeframe of 12 months with a focus on food security, nutrition promotion, building resilience, and National Society capacity building and Disaster Risk Reduction in Central River (north) and North Bank (west) Regions.

Mauritania: Mauritania: Food Insecurity- Emergency appeal n° MDRMR007

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Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Country: Mauritania

This Emergency Appeal seeks a total of CHF 998,467 to enable the IFRC to support the Mauritania Red Crescent Society (MRC) to deliver assistance and support to a total of 37,400 people consisting of immediate or short-term assistance to some 10,400 beneficiaries including 8,400 people (1,400 households) plus 2,000 children and pregnant/lactating women) and medium term support to some 27,000 people (4,500 households) over a total timeframe of 9 months with a focus on food security, nutrition promotion, building resilience, and National Society capacity building and Disaster Risk Reduction in Brakna and Hodh El Gharbi Regions.

Mali: Secretary-General Welcomes Signing of Mali Agreement by Government, Armed Groups

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Source: UN Secretary-General
Country: Mali

SG/SM/16751-AFR/3133

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the signature of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali by the Government of Mali and the Plateforme coalition of armed groups in Bamako today. He congratulates the parties and the Algeria-led Mediation Team for their efforts to produce this balanced text.

The Secretary-General notes that today’s signature by some of the parties is an important step on the path towards sustainable peace. He conveys his sincere hope that other parties to the Algiers political process will adhere to the Agreement as soon as possible. In this regard, he also welcomes the initialling of the Agreement by the Coordination coalition of armed groups on 14 May in Algiers.

The Secretary-General firmly believes that this Agreement is a strong basis on which to build a just and lasting peace in Mali. He calls on the parties to keep the Agreement open to the adhesion of outstanding parties and to continue dialogue in view of securing the signature of all parties as soon as possible.

The Secretary-General further calls on the Mediation Team and the signatories of the Agreement to identify those provisions of the Agreement that are achievable pending a signature by all parties, and to prioritize those aspects which could help foster an environment conducive to the signature of all parties.

The Secretary-General reminds all parties that the ceasefire agreement of 23 May 2014 and the declarations of cessation of hostilities of 24 July 2014 and 19 February 2015 remain valid. He urges the parties to honour their commitments in this regard.

For information media. Not an official record.

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