Despite repeated clashes in her village, Fadimatou Abbas did not want to leave Fotokol, which lies in Cameroon's Far North region, a few kilometres from the Nigerian border. But in mid-January 2016, a major incident changed her mind.

"One day, in the early hours of the morning, a shell exploded in our courtyard. It wrecked part of our house, and a lot of our belongings were destroyed in the fire," she recalls.

Fearing for her life and that of her family, Fadimatou (25) decided to flee, along with her four children, her husband, and her husband's ten children from a previous marriage. After walking for several days, they reached the town of Maltam, which is currently home to over 6,000 displaced persons. They decided to stay there until it was safe to go home.

But Maltam is also feeling the effects of the conflict. Residents are having to share the little they have with the new arrivals, economic activity has slowed and there are no jobs. The area was already suffering the effects of climate, and the violence has made matters worse. Fadimatou's husband went to look for work in Kousseri, 30 kilometres south of Maltam. He found something, but still has trouble covering his family's needs. The money he can send back barely covers the needs of the children, including the costs of sending them to school.

Then ICRC staff arrived in Maltam and started registering people displaced by the conflict. That already gave them some hope, although Fadimatou had been sceptical: "I didn't think anything would come of it at first," said Fadimatou. "Others had visited us, but none of them ever came back." But today, she received 75 kg of sorghum, 25 kg of niébé beans, 1 kg of salt, 10 litres of oil and 12 kg of enriched flour. This should go some way towards filling the gap in her food stocks that the conflict has created. "They've promised five distributions like this by the end of the year. I hope they'll keep their word," she concluded with a smile.

In total, the ICRC distributed food to over 35,000 displaced persons and 8,200 residents in four towns and villages in the department of Logone-et-Chari, including Maltam. A few days later, they also received plastic sheeting, sleeping mats, cooking utensils, blankets and feminine hygiene kits.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) monitors trends in staple food prices in countries vulnerable to food insecurity. For each FEWS NET country and region, the Price Bulletin provides a set of charts showing monthly prices in the current marketing year in selected urban centers and allowing users to compare current trends with both five-year average prices, indicative of seasonal trends, and prices in the previous year.

Millet, maize, cowpea, and imported rice are the most important food commodities. Millet is consumed by both rural and poor urban households throughout the country. Maize and imported rice are most important for urban households, while cowpea is mainly consumed by poor households in rural and urban areas as a protein source. Niamey is the most important national market and an international trade center, and also supplies urban households. Tillaberi is also an urban center that supplies the surrounding area. Gaya market represents a main urban market for maize with cross-border connections. Maradi, Tounfafi, and Diffa are regional assembly and cross-border markets for Niger and other countries in the region. These are markets where households and herders coming from the northern cereal deficit areas regularly buy their food. Agadez and Zinder are also important national and regional markets. Nguigmi and Abalak are located in pastoral areas, where people are heavily dependent on cereal markets for their food supply. They are particularly important during the rainy season, when herders are confined to the pastoral zone.

Key Messages

• Les stocks alimentaires dans les ménages s’épuisent suivant la tendance saisonnière, mais les disponibilités sont suffisantes sur les marchés. Les ménages font les dépenses alimentaires et non-alimentaires avec leurs revenus provenant des stratégies habituelles telles que la vente des cultures irriguées (fruits et légumes) et la main d’œuvre agricole. A la faveur de ces conditions alimentaires favorables, la plupart des zones se trouve dans une situation d’insécurité alimentaire Minimale (Phase 1 de l’IPC) qui va se maintenir jusqu’en septembre 2016.

• Les circuits commerciaux entre le Nigéria et les marchés du Sud (Maradi et Zinder) et Centre (Tahoua) du Niger restent actifs grâce à la récente dépréciation du naira par rapport au FCFA. Cette situation engendre des différences de prix favorables au transfert des produits de base, comme le mil, vers les marchés du Niger. Les offres sur les marchés restent supérieures à la moyenne malgré l’accroissement saisonnier de la demande locale.

• La situation pastorale se détériore malgré la vente subventionnée des aliments pour bétail dans les zones affectées. Les éleveurs dépensent plus que d’habitude pour l’entretien des animaux, et ils les vendent à des prix inférieurs suite à la dépréciation du naira du Nigeria d’où provient la majorité des exportateurs. Cette situation de Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC) pourrait évoluer en Minimale (Phase 1 de l’IPC) à partir de juillet avec la fin de la soudure pastorale et l’installation définitive de la campagne agropastorale.

• Les perturbations du marché, les réductions des revenus dues à la perte des principaux moyens d’existence en particulier la baisse de la production du poivron, du riz et de la pêche continuent d’altérer les conditions de sécurité alimentaire chez les ménages pauvres et déplacés de la région de Diffa, autour du Lac Tchad et de la rivière Komadougou. L’insécurité alimentaire aiguë de Stress (Phase 2 de l’IPC) ou de Crise (Phase 3 de l’IPC) pourraient se maintenir jusqu’en septembre 2016.

Ce soir, à environ 20h45, le camp de la MINUSMA, situé dans le quartier Château d'Eau à Gao, a été la cible d'une attaque par mortiers ou roquettes. Les fait exacts sont encore à déterminer. Selon les rapports préliminaires, un casque bleu été tué, trois casques bleus grièvement blessés et plus d’une dizaine des membres du personnel de la MINUSMA, dont des civils, ont été légèrement blessés et ont reçu le traitement médical requis. Les dégâts matériels sont en cours d'évaluation et les informations préliminaires indiquent que des conteneurs de logement du personnel ont été détruits. La MINUSMA a déployé des hélicoptères d'attaques pour effectuer des surveillances aériennes et une force de réaction rapide est en train de patrouiller dans la ville de Gao.

L'attaque du camp de la MINUSMA a été suivie d'une autre attaque à l'arme légère qui a ciblé le local d'un prestataire de service de UNMAS (Service de Lutte Antimine des Nations Unies) situé dans un autre quartier de la ville le Gao. Deux agents maliens privés de sécurité qui gardaient le local et un expert international de la compagnie ont été tués. Le Représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies et Chef de la MINUSMA, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, présente ses condoléances aux familles des victimes des deux attaques et souhaite un prompt rétablissement aux blessés.

"Je suis révolté par ces attaques vicieuses, lâches et totalement inacceptables contre le camp de la MINUSMA où réside le personnel de la Mission, des civils en majorité, hommes et femmes, et contre le personnel de la compagnie partenaire d'UNMAS, également des civils, dans une ville où la MINUSMA et UNMAS ont beaucoup investi en efforts en appui aux autorités locales et en soutien aux populations", a déclaré le Représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies et Chef de la MINUSMA, Mahamat Saleh Annadif. "J'exhorte le gouvernement malien et les autorités locales de Gao d'assurer que les responsables de ces crimes ignobles soient identifiés et traduits en justice. Ces crimes contre le personnel de la MINUSMA et le personnel associés des Nations Unies ne peuvent plus être tolérés et demeurer impunis", a souligné M. Annadif.

Period covered: January to December 2015

The DREF allocated a total amount of CHF 19,762,920 in 2015, to 77 different National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support their response to 109 disaster events. The amount was 3.6 per cent lower than forecast but 3 per cent higher the amount allocated in 2014. The amount of allocations made as start-up funding for emergency appeal operations continued its upward trend against the last two years, with a small increase of 5 per cent against 2014 figures.

A total of 30 emergency appeals were launched in 2015, with DREF allocations made for all of these appeals. The amount of allocations made as grants to small-scale operations implemented by National Societies for which no emergency appeal was launched, or DREF operations, was 12 per cent higher than in 2014, with the number of allocations made increased from 83 allocations in 2014 to 93 allocations in 2015.

Goal: National Societies provide rapid and effective assistance to vulnerable people affected by disasters and crises with the provision of timely and adequate financial support from the DREF.

Financial situation and analysis

The budget or target for 2015 was CHF 18,687,986. CHF 18 million was sought to cover the allocations and CHF 687,986 to cover coordination costs. Total income was CHF 14,948,522 (83 per cent of target).

CHF 19,762,920 was disbursed as allocations for operations in 2015 and a total of CHF 5,575,877 was reimbursed to the fund as DREF loans and unspent balances of DREF grants made in 2015 and previous years, resulting in a total outlay of CHF 14,485,352.

The DREF coordination expenditure amounted to CHF 669,079, which is 3 per cent below the annual budget of CHF 687,986. Discrepancies between budgeted staffing costs and actual expenditures are the result of staff changeover and overlap at global level for two months, as well as the revised expenditure of staff in the field. Overspends linked to consultants and professional fees refer to audit fees and are a result of the various audits carried out on different operations throughout the year, with the budget was not revised in time to capture the additional costs due to the change of personnel.

The opening balance on 1 January 2015 was CHF 16,167,027 and the closing balance on 31 December 2015 was CHF 15,904,996.

I. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to the statement of the President of the Security Council dated 11 June 2015 (S/PRST/2015/12), in which the Council requested me to keep it informed about the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). It provides an assessment of the major political and security trends in the Central African subregion since my previous report, dated 30 November 2015 (S/2015/914), offers an update on progress in the implementation of the mandate of UNOCA, and reports on efforts to implement the United Nations regional strategy to address the threat and impact of the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) (see S/2012/481).

II. Major developments in the Central Africa subregion

A. Political, peace and security developments and trends

2. The political environment in the subregion continued to be dominated by electoral processes that have often exhibited signs of tensions. Some of the countries in the region held elections during the period under review, while elsewhere preparations for elections are ongoing.

3. The persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and the successes realized by the regional Multinational Joint Task Force against it were highlights of the reporting period, as were the international, regional and national efforts to combat LRA.

4. The continued slump in oil prices and the ensuing economic difficulties in many countries of the subregion remained a factor behind political and social tensions.

Political developments and trends

5. On 11 March, during a meeting of the political bureau of the ruling party Movimento popular de libertação de Angola, the President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, announced his retirement from political life in 2018, at the end of his current mandate in late 2017.

6. In Cameroon, there have been calls to push forward the 2018 presidential elections, which would, however, require a change of the Constitution. On 29 March, during a press conference, four opposition political parties officially opposed a change of the Constitution, with some opposition leaders also opposing a further candidacy by President Paul Biya. After blocking access to the site of the press conference, the police detained several opposition leaders, their supporters and some journalists. They were all released the same day. On 7 April, in an open letter to the Minister for Territorial Administration, four opposition political parties criticized the Government for its stance on the freedom of assembly. On 8 April, around 20 supporters of two opposition parties, the Cameroon People’s Party and the Mouvement pour la renaissance du Cameroun, were arrested in Yaoundé on charges of incitement to rebellion. The flyers they were distributing called upon the population to mobilize against the alleged limitation of political space by the Government and to protest against the lack of social services. They were subsequently released.

7. In Chad, on 13 February, the Government of Prime Minister Kalzeubet Pahimi Deubet was dissolved following his resignation. Albert Pahimi Padacké was appointed Prime Minister. Civil society, including youth organizations, launched frequent campaigns against poor governance, nepotism, impunity and inequality. In mid-February, students took to the streets over the rape of a 16-year-old girl, allegedly by the sons of senior military officials. The alleged perpetrators were arrested. Two students were killed by the police and army during the protests, and tens were injured or arrested. On 19 February, civil society organizations launched a campaign calling for the departure of President Idriss Déby Itno. This was followed by a day of countrywide general strike on 24 February, organized in protest of the President’s bid for re-election, and a “ghost town” initiative on 26 February.

I. Introduction

1. Following the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011, the Economic and Social Council, through its resolution 2011/43, expressed interest in working with partners in addressing the extensive humanitarian, peacebuilding and development challenges facing the country. The present report is the fifth on South Sudan submitted to the Council since the country’s independence.

2. The first report (E/2012/76) outlined the support of the United Nations system to the Government of South Sudan and the transition from emergency relief to development and building of local capacity after the country’s independence. The second report (E/2013/73) described the support to and implementation of development and peacebuilding frameworks by the United Nations system and the international community. The third report (E/2014/94) depicted how the outbreak of conflict on 15 December 2013 created a set of dire social, economic, humanitarian, political and security crises and reversed much of the progress made in the first two years of independence. The fourth report (E/2015/74) provided a review of the major developments since July 2014, with a focus on the continuing impact of the conflict on prospects for development.

3. The present report outlines the major developments that have occurred since the previous report to the Council was issued in July 2015. With the signing of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (Peace Agreement) in August 2015, the United Nations system has made efforts to support the implementation of the Peace Agreement. The United Nations system has enhanced its coordination to increase development efforts to bridge the humanitarian-development divide by bringing together all actors in order to reinforce complementarity, coherence and sustainable solutions and mitigate the impact of the conflict going forward. With the return of the opposition leader and first Vice-President, Riek Machar, to Juba on 26 April 2016 and the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity, that strategy will continue.

OUAGADOUGOU - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes the Federal Republic of Germany's contribution of eight million Euros (US$ 8.9 million) for the period 2016-2021 to support the resilience of rural communities through prevention and treatment of undernutrition, including behaviour change communication activities.

“WFP is grateful for Germany’s significant donation, which will help vulnerable rural households achieve better food and nutrition security. These families regularly face climatic shocks such as droughts and floods, which seriously affect their livelihoods. Over the five-year period, Germany’s funds will be critical to the work of WFP and its partners in reinforcing their resilience,” said Jean-Charles Dei, WFP Country Director in Burkina Faso.

The contribution will sustain a package of multi-sectoral initiatives including nutritional education activities for both men and women; the creation of assets and livelihood opportunities, such as the development of animal husbandry for increased agricultural production and a more diverse diet, as well as the capacity reinforcement of local partners. The money will also fund a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey on nutrition, to enhance WFP’s understanding and thereby hone its response.

Despite attempts by the Government and its partners to mitigate food insecurity, according to latest food assessment results, more than 2.5 million people – over 15 percent of the population - will be at risk of not having enough food to eat in 2016. Nationally, 10.4 percent of children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, and 30.2 percent from stunting – a symptom of malnutrition (according to the SMART nutrition survey, 2015).

To address this, the Government and WFP put in place a Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) from July 2015 to June 2017. The response aims to strengthen livelihoods, tackle undernutrition and develop community resilience to shocks. More than 20,000 people will benefit from this assistance in 2016.

Germany is one of Burkina Faso’s biggest donors. The multi-year contribution is essential to provide continuous and substantial assistance, to fight food security and malnutrition, and to reduce families’ vulnerability to future shocks.

###

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

Follow us on Twitter @WFP_WAfrica, @wfp_media

For more information, please contact celestine.ouedraogo@wfp.org
Celestine Ouedraogo, WFP Ouagadougou: +226 25306077; (cell) +226 75144747

• As of 30 May 2016, financial requirements of UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plans, Flash Appeals and Regional Refugee Plans as reflected in the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) amount to an unprecedented US$20.8 billion and are expected to rise. These appeals are currently funded at $4.8 billion, or 23 per cent. $16 billion in financial requirements remain unmet. Overall, humanitarian operations in 2016 are funded at almost $9.2 billion.

• Currently humanitarian partners aim to reach 91 million people in need in as many as 40 countries. The increase in May is due to the Flash Appeal in response to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador, to a response plan for Zimbabwe and to expanded requirements in Ethiopia as a consequence of El Niño.

• Over $3.6 billion is required for El Niño-related activities through government plans, plans developed by humanitarian country teams, and joint government-humanitarian organization plans in countries across the most affected regions of East Africa, Southern Africa, Central America and Asia Pacific. The newly appointed United Nations Special Envoys for El Niño will work to generate resources for El Niño response and to secure long-term solutions for resilience building and preparedness. Meteorologists indicate that a La Niña event is more likely than not to occur later this year.

• Over the last month, FTS records a significant increase of 28 per cent in funding for the Burundi RRP while funding for the Myanmar plan has increased by 20 per cent. Funding for the Mali appeal increased by 8 per cent, Nigeria and CAR by 7 per cent, and Iraq, Syria and Ukraine all increased by 6 percent. Meanwhile, no funding reports have been submitted to FTS by donors or implementing agencies for the Gambia HRP and the Yemen RRMRP, five months after these appeals were released.

• The Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) has received $245 million in contributions for 2016 thus far and is projecting $413 million in contributions this year, with a shortfall of $37 million from its annual funding target. CERF continues to provide fast, flexible and life-saving humanitarian aid in emerging crises and the world’s most neglected disasters. In May, CERF approved $18 million from the Rapid Response window to support emergency interventions for Ecuador – earthquake;
  Guinea – Ebola resurgence; Nigeria – Lassa fever outbreak; South Sudan – conflict; and Viet Nam – El Niño-related drought. As of end-May, CERF has allocated more than $216 million to 26 countries through the Rapid Response and Underfunded Emergencies windows.

• At the World Humanitarian Summit several leaders announced their support for the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for a $1 billion CERF. An expanded CERF will enable distribution of vital resources anywhere anytime a humanitarian catastrophe exists, in a manner commensurate with growing needs.

• Contributions to Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPFs) at the end of May 2016 stand at $284 million, of which $247 million have been allocated as follows: 42 per cent to UN agencies, 44 per cent to international NGOs and 13 per cent to national NGOs, with 1 per cent to Red Cross/Red Crescent societies.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the media, and welcome to the United Nations weekly press briefing broadcast live on UN radio Miraya from UN House, in Juba. Also a warm welcome to our radio listeners who have tuned in and the media from Torit.

Today our guest speaker is the UN Police Commissioner Mr. Bruce Munyambo. It will be his first briefing with you after he has arrived in South Sudan on 29 February this year. The Police Commissioner has a wealth of experience in the Rwandese police where he has held senior positions as well as in Peacekeeping operations having previously served in Haiti and Sierra Leone.

International Peace Keepers Day

A few words to start on Peacekeeping and “Honouring our Heroes”, the theme of the United Nations commemorations that took place in New York but also throughout the world to mark International Peace Keepers Day. Ceremonies were also held in South Sudan last Monday, in the stadium of Wau or in Bor as well as in UN House in Juba. The guest of Honour was Honorable Hussein Mar Nyuot, who is South Sudan Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

In her speech, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) SRSG Ms. Ellen Margrethe Loej reiterated the commitment of the Mission to support the Transitional Government of National Unity. She also added that “today we honour our heroes who have lost their lives in the service of peace. But this day is also about honouring our heroes – including those of you here today – who continue to serve the mission in your various capacities”.

The UN and South Sudanese flags were lowered and the names of the 13 UNMISS peacekeepers who died in 2015 were read out. The parade was formed by 6 military contingents, UN Police Officers and civilians - national and international. There were songs and dancing to appeal for peace, reconciliation and respect for human rights from a group of pupils from St. Thomas Primary School in Gudele West.

You will also find elements of background in the Secretary-General message where he insisted on the growth of peacekeeping operations in the world, with fewer than 40,000 military and police personnel 15 years ago against more than 105,000 today. The Secretary-General also indicated that since the 1st deployment in 1948, more than 3,400 Peacekeepers have lost lives in the service of peace, 129 just for last year.

https://unmiss.unmissions.org/Portals/unmiss/%20Press%20Releases/2016/May%202016/29%20pk%20day%20message.rev.pdf

On Protection of Civilians’ sites

According to our latest figures, 26 May 2016, UNMISS now protects some 170,000 civilians (169,983) in the six UNMISS protection of civilians sites in South Sudan. The new figures clearly indicate a decreasing trend, especially in Bentiu.

bit.ly/25ylfxf

Bentiu

The total number of IDPs in Bentiu PoC site is now 98,653, a decrease of almost 7,000 (6,935) from last week. You may remember that there have been up to 122,000 residents at the peak of the conflict. The main destination remains the counties of Rubkona and Guit to where 1,111 civilians made their way only last week. As explained in another media briefing, these counties have been targeted for an increase humanitarian response and support to allow civilians to consider return for farming activities, something very important in a climate of food insecurity.

In fact, an additional 200 (198) civilians currently living in the PoC site, farmers, have also requested support from UNMISS and humanitarian partners for their farming activities in the surrounding areas of the PoC site. UNMISS will support the initiative by providing escort to one or two selected locations for farming. This is an addition to the already ongoing foot patrols UNMISS forces have been conducting on the shortcut road used towards Rubkona. These patrols, conducted two mornings a week and every evening, are especially meant to protect women collecting firewood.

Leaving the PoC site, voluntarily, is now ongoing trend and a positive development despite it still being a fragile process. This is the result of combined efforts of the humanitarian community and UNMISS components outside the PoC site to show support and visibility.

UNMISS is also manning a Forward Operating Base in Bentiu town as well as a Temporary Operating Base in Leer, from which UNMMISS can project troops and patrol according to needs. This in turn provides an increased sense of safety at a time when post-conflict and transitional institutions are put in place. Together with humanitarian partners and communities, UNMISS will continue to identify locations to where communities may wish to return.

Last week also saw the visit in Bentiu of a high level UN delegation led by Francois Grignon, who is the team leader of the Integrated Operations Team for UNMISS in the department of Peacekeeping Operations in NY HQs. One of the objectives of the visit was to meet with communities in Bentiu and vicinity also including Leer where the delegation travelled, met with civilians and local authorities as well as UNMISS troops.

Francois Grignon indicated that he had come to evaluate “progress on the implementation of the peace agreement” and added that he was “encouraged by current developments” namely civilians leaving PoCs sites as well as local parties dialoguing as was seen in Leer and some parts of Rubkona area

Malakal

Following the incident of February, the relocation of civilians from the UNMISS log base to the PoC site is ongoing. As of 25 May, only 2,000 civilians remain in the UNMISS log base, ahead of the planned conclusion of the relocation process this week.

Other issues

Women

In Wau, Women-Focused Forum was conducted last week to build peace amidst insecurity and the crisis that affected many women in the town who lost their family or were raped.

Melut

Last week in Melut a veterinary aid camp was established for 2 days in Melut County. The Indian Battalion supported the provision of treatment and deworming facilities to local animal owners. Over 650 animals were treated, 2/3 of them being cattle.

37 sniffing dogs have arrived in Juba (UNMAS)

More animals…. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has received 37 explosive detective dogs in Juba last week. The dogs regularly support UNPOL in the PoC sites as well as UNMAS activities. In 2015, 19,781 vehicles, 13,587 bags and 970 buildings were searched using these canine teams. The dogs have been transferred to temporary kennels in Gumbo, Juba. While some dogs will remain in Juba to work at the UN bases, protection of Civilians sites and the UN airport, many will be transferred to Bentiu, Bor and Malakal.

You may recall last week’s news when on 25 May, the National Wildlife Service with the support of an airport sniffer dog unit found 10 kilograms of frozen pangolin meat, the most trafficked mammal in the world, which also led to the discovery of smuggled elephant tusk ivory, both elephants and pangolins are the wildlife heritage of South Sudan.

Let me also remind you of the number anyone can call in case of a suspicious object, or unexploded ordnance: 0920 00 10 55. There is also email: report@unmass.org

The guest speaker today is the Un Police Commissioner Bruce Munyambo. The floor is yours.

Thank you very Ariane and members of the press. First of all I would like to thank you for attending this press briefing. It is always an opportunity for us to interact with members of the press and share information on our activities as well as receive information from you for our mutual benefit and also for the benefit of the public. We will continue to avail ourselves in such press conferences to give you whatever information you will like to get from us and possibly disseminate it to contribute towards positive journalism.

UNPOL has a mandate which includes the protection of civilians, training and supporting the Joint Integrated Police (JIP), also providing support in monitoring, reporting on human rights. We also contribute to the creation of conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and by doing so we support the implementation of the peace agreement.

We are deployed extensively in different POC sites in Juba, Malakal, Bentiu, Bor and in other areas and we appreciate the work UNPOL is doing in terms of protection of civilians and in terms of implementing the mandate.

On that note I wish to invite you to ask questions. We are on business and we can assure South Sudanese people that UNPOL will continue to support them in as far as implementing the peace process.

Questions and Answers

Denis Elamu – Xinhua News Agency: I would like the Police Commissioner to clarify the areas where UNPOL focuses in terms of training, human Rights and general issues?

UNPOL PC Munyambo (PC): Regarding the Joint Integrated Police (JIP), we focus on community policing or rather community-oriented policing, on child protection, on having good working relations with communities. We have already trained 40 police officers who can further train others, they will be supporting the JIP various training projects.

Emmanuel Tombe – Alarabiya TV: One of your duties is investigating human rights. Do you have any percentages, and can you give us about the status of the human rights in South Sudan, and the challenges you are facing at this particular stage?

PC: We do not investigate human rights cases; UNMISS has a human rights division that we support. They are doing a very good work. That said, in a transitional period towards the establishment of peace like now, there can always be a need for improvement. This is the reason why we do sensitization sessions for the promotion of human rights and hence I believe we enable a more peaceful environment.

Dau Majok john – This Day Newspapers: You did mention that you are supporting the peace implementation. Can you clarify how you supporting the process? You have also mentioned community policing on which you have focussed. Where and in which state have you been doing this and how many projects so far you have achieved?

PC: When we are protecting civilians, establishing cordon and searches operations, when we are making the police visible, when we are supporting the training of the JIP, we are actually enabling an environment for the peace process to be implemented. We conduct physical protection of civilians especially in the POC sites; we are also enabling a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. That’s the way we are supporting the peace process. And of course, we have been conducting several programs in regard to sexual exploitation and abuse; we have been trying to sensitize, especially in the POC sites where we have been interacting on a number of issues regarding human rights and child protection. All these are projects which support the peace process.

From Torit (inaudible): A question on under-aged children detention. What is your mandate about it and how far have ensured that children are protected? The2nd question goes to Ariane Quentier, about the Transitional Government of National Unity. Can you tell us what are the obstacles hindering the implementation of the peace agreement?

PC: First of all, for juvenile offenses, the first responsibility goes to the parents. When there is juvenile offending, it means there are gaps in parenting, in the education system, in the way children are handled. So UNPOL does sensitization program of community policing to minimize these gaps so that the children do not indulge in offending. (inaudible) This can also be connected with human rights, abuse of children’s rights. Children are the future leaders of this country; they are the future people who are going to foster the agenda of this country.

Ariane Quentier (AQ): From my side, I would not say there is not enough progress. I would say there could be more progress but there has been progress. The peace agreement was signed in August; the implementation agreement signed less than a month later. Yes it did take time to bring together the Transitional Government of National Unity, but we are talking about a peace process, about a process between enemies, a process which by definition cannot be easy. But let me disagree with you, the peace process has been regularly moving forward in the last eight months. We had the return of the First Vice President, the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity. That’s not a little step, that’s a major step. We also have Joint Monitoring Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) that has been established, the Joint Operation Centre (JOC), and the JIP is moving forward.

All these are elements that have been recognized by South Sudanese civilians as progress, the proof of it being what is currently happening in Bentiu. If there was no progress, if the people’s inner feeling was that there was no progress as you just said, they wouldn’t have started to return to their homes. Yes it is slow, yes it could go faster. I also believe that all the international community not only the UNMISS but also the neighbouring countries, the African Union, the IGAD, South Sudanese should all mobilize to allow South Sudan to make even more progress for the implementation of the peace and for the people of South Sudan.

Junior Ali – Eye Radio: Police Commissioner, one of the responsibilities of the UN police is training the Joint Integrated Police, have you started the training the police and if not why?

PC: We are heading in a positive direction. We have had a “training of trainers” for 40 officers, in other words we trained them to be able to train other police officers. We assisted in the JIP meetings, and now there is Joint Management Team of the JIP. I am also happy to report that on the 24th of May there was a ministerial order establishing the Joint management Team. We will now start more training thanks to the establishment the Joint Management Team.

The Dawn Newspaper: My question goes to Ariane. You did mention earlier that the peace is progressing and just recently, the UN Security Council has voted to extend sanctions against people blocking the peace process? Will it not jeopardize the peace implementation?

AQ: I can’t really comment on sanctions because it is a decision of the UN Security Council in New York. But I stand by what I have just said; the implementation of the peace process is ongoing. Why did the Security Council decide that it was not enough is something that should be asked to the Security Council. Again there was no agreement eight months ago, there is a peace agreement now, there is a transitional government, there is Joint Integrated Police, and there is Joint Monitoring Ceasefire Commission. There have been a lot of elements put in place. Peace implementation may not be fully achieved, but the process is ongoing.

Denis Elamu – Xinhua News Agency: I heard that you were involved in engaging the government with the issue of patrolling?

AQ: As I said last week we have had issues in the area of Yambio where we were asked not to patrol with heavy equipment because it gave a sense of insecurity while there was peace; this came also from the local authorities. As I said, we have discussed with local authorities, and had meetings along the month of May. We are currently conducting limited patrols inside Yambio and we are doing regular short and long patrols out of Yambio.

Emmanuel Tombe – Alarabiya TV: How far have you trained the police on community policing, secondly on the protection of civilians is the protection only for people within the POC sites or does it include those outside the PoC sites and finally about the safety of civilians on the roads you see a lot of killings and abducted children from the roads?

AQ: Before the Police Commissioner takes the floor, let me remind you that security is the primary responsibility of South Sudan. South Sudan is an independent sovereign country with a police and security forces; it is their duty to ensure safety and security in the country. We are not here to replace the South Sudanese authorities, but to support them

PC: We conduct a series of community policing programs especially in the POC sites on a number of issues on sexual and gender based violence, protection of civilians, women and vulnerable persons. We also sensitize the community watch groups. (inaudible) We have a monthly news bulletin focussing on our activities. On the protection of civilians l also said we do access control, cordon and search operations. The visibility of the police as well as communicating with opinion leaders creates an enabling environment for the protection of civilians. When it comes to road safety and security, this is again a shared responsibility; it is the primary responsibility of the South Sudan National Police Service.

Emmanuel Tombe – Alarabiya TV: Regarding Police training, do you know how many South Sudanese Police you have you trained, and what are the logistical and financial challenges you are facing?

PC: We have been doing a series of trainings especially when we had a capacity building mandate. Now we are focusing on the JIP training. I have made already elaborated. In terms of challenges, we should rather look at the way to mitigate them. What is important is not just listing the challenges but to have the will to overcome them. So we have a good collaboration with our stakeholders, we are on the ground, we have deployed all our resources towards the peace implementation, there might be few challenges which are common, like the road conditions sometimes during the raining season. We try our very best to see that the challenges we meet are mitigated.

Torit, Inaudible name of media: UNMISS mandate is to protect civilians, as for the UN Police. We have had incidents of killings on the roads especially around Equatoria and the Juba – Nemule road. We don’t know the perpetrators, how can the UN Police help the government to ensure security along the roads and ensure free movements of people?

PC: I believe that once having trained 5400 JIPs, they will be operating in Juba, Malakal, Bentiu, Bor and other areas. Some of the trainings will be to create an enabling environment where issues of security and safety can be addressed. But as said, it remains the responsibility of the government to protect the civilians. We are supporting the JIP, supporting the peace process and making it easier for the government to deliver services.

Bamako, 01 June 2016- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, concluded yesterday his visit to Bamako, Mali.

Mr. Ibn Chambas met with President of the Republic of Mali, Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; the Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diope; the Minister of Defense, Mr. Tieman Hubert Coulibaly, and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Boubou Cissé.

This visit, the fourth leg of his tour in the G5 Sahel countries, was an opportunity for Mr. Ibn Chambas to exchange views with the Malian authorities on issues affecting the security and development of Mali and G5 Sahel countries. They also discussed the cooperation between Mali and the United Nations, including on ways to strengthen coordination between the various partners in the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS).

In this regard, Ibn Chambas recalled the commitment of the United Nations to support Mali and the G5 Sahel countries through strengthened and effective partnership. The establishment of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) following the merger of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Sahel (OSES) will enable a pooling together of resources to provide a more effective support to countries of the G5 Sahel.

"Given the multiplicity and complexity of the challenges, we must act together with determination, consistency and coordination to improve the living conditions of thousands of people in Mali and the G5 Sahel countries," Mr. Ibn Chambas said.

On his part, the President of the Republic of Mali, Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, expressed his gratitude for the support of the United Nations. He also commended the establishment of UNOWAS and called partners to continue to support Mali and G5 Sahel countries in their relentless quest to restore peace and security.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas is currently in Nouakchott, Mauritania, for the last leg of his working visit to the G5 Sahel countries.

OUAGADOUGOU - Le Programme Alimentaire Mondial des Nations Unies (PAM) se réjouit de la générosité de la République Fédérale d’Allemagne (RFA) d’un montant de huit millions d’Euros, pour la période 2016-2021. Cette contribution permettra à l’agence onusienne de mettre en oeuvre des activités pour promouvoir les capacités de résilience des communautés vulnérables aux chocs climatiques à travers la prévention et le traitement de la sous-nutrition.

« Nous nous réjouissons énormément de cette généreuse contribution de la République Fédérale d’Allemagne qui va permettre aux ménages pauvres et vulnérables de lutter contre l’insécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle. Ces populations sont confrontées de manière récurrente aux chocs externes tels que les sécheresses et les inondations qui affectent sérieusement leurs moyens d’existence », a déclaré M. Jean-Charles Dei, Représentant du PAM au Burkina Faso.

Cet appui sera utilisé pour financer un paquet d’initiatives multisectorielles telles que l’éducation nutritionnelle par le biais de la communication pour le changement de comportement, la mise en œuvre d’approches intégrées de création d’actifs productifs et de développement de l’élevage pour promouvoir la production agricole et diversifier l’alimentation et la nutrition des ménages vulnérables.

En dépit des efforts entrepris par le gouvernement et ses partenaires, la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle demeure difficile pour plus de la moitié des ménages. Plus de 2,5 millions de personnes réparties dans toutes les régions seront sous stress alimentaire en 2016 (Cadre harmonisé, février 2016). De plus, 10,4 % des enfants de moins de 5 ans souffrent de malnutrition aigüe globale e t 30,2% présentent un retard de croissance, symptomatique de malnutrition chronique (enquête SMART 2015).

Face à cette situation, le Gouvernement du Burkina Faso et le PAM mettent en œuvre l’Intervention Prolongée de Secours et de Redressement (IPSR) de juillet 2015 à juin 2017, pour renforcer les moyens d’existence, lutter contre la sous-nutrition et développer la résilience des communautés vulnérables aux chocs. Plus de 20 000 personnes vulnérables bénéficieront de cette assistance en 2016.

Grâce au soutien de la République Fédérale d’Allemagne, qui est l’un de ses principaux donateurs, le PAM Burkina Faso pourra apporter une assistance nutritionelle et continuer à lutter contre l’insécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle et réduire ainsi la vulnérabilité des ménages et les risques de chocs futurs.

Le PAM est la plus grande agence humanitaire qui lutte contre la faim dans le monde en distribuant une assistance alimentaire dans les situations d'urgence et en travaillant avec les communautés pour améliorer leur état nutritionnel et renforcer leur résilience. Chaque année, le PAM apporte une assistance à quelque 80 millions de personnes dans près de 80 pays.

Suivez-nous sur Twitter : @WFP_WAfrica ; @wfp_media ; @WFP_FR

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter : celestine.ouedraogo@wfp.org

Célestine Ouédraogo, WFP/Ouagadougou, +226 25 30 60 77, Mob. +226 75 14 47 47

POINTS SAILLANTS

• Transfert de 412 retournés du Nigeria vers le centre de transit de Gourenguel pour un screening de protection.

• Poursuite et fin de l’enrôlement biométrique des réfugiés Centrafricain dans le site de Timangolo, dans la région de l’Est.

SECURITE

La situation sécuritaire dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord du Cameroun et en particulière à la frontière avec le Nigeria demeure préoccupante. Les forces armées du Nigéria et du Cameroun, continuent de faire pression sur les bases de Boko Haram, notamment dans la forêt de Sambissa en proximité avec la frontière avec le Cameroun. Le relief très accidenté et rocailleux de la zone de Sambissa, la présence de nombreuses mines et des otages retenus par les combattants de Boko Haram rendent les opérations militaires difficiles.

KEY FIGURES

A total of 231,938
South Sudanese arrivals in Sudan since 15 December 2013.

* This figure does not include a number of South Sudanese living with host communities.

76,513
Number of South Sudanese arrivals residing in the eight sites of White Nile State, based on UNHCR individual registration.

45,929
Number of South Sudanese arrivals to East Darfur since January 2016.

145,200
Number of South Sudanese residing in Khartoum open areas as per IPP and Civil Registry (as of 11 May 2016

PRIORITIES

• Ongoing response to South Sudanese arrivals in West Kordofan, White Nile State, and East Darfur.

• Relocations to the new Al Waral site, White Nile State, to address congestion in existing sites.

• Establishment of a new site in East Darfur to decongest Khor Omer camp and relocate South Sudanese new arrivals.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In White Nile State, the relocation of families to the newly developed Al Waral site is ongoing. As of 23 May 2016, 962 households (4,246 individuals) have voluntarily relocated from three of the existing sites and were provided with emergency shelter materials on arrival.

• The influx of South Sudanese into Sudan since January 2016 amid ongoing conflict and deteriorating food insecurity has continued with almost 58,500 arrivals into East and South Darfur and West Kordofan states. Of these new arrivals, 46,142 are currently residing in East Darfur, including 28,752 in Khor Omer camp, as of 25 May.

• Land for establishment of a site in East Darfur to host the new arrivals and decongest Khor Omer camp has been identified. Permission to use the land has been granted by the local community and is awaiting authorization by state and federal authorities.

• On 10 May, an interagency assessment mission visited in Abu Jabra, Bahr El Arab and El Ferdous localities in East Darfur. The mission highlighted the need for a food distribution, emergency shelter and non-food items.

• In West Kordofan, WFP conducted a rapid verification exercise of newly arrived South Sudanese refugees in El Meriam. The team was able to verify 1,559 individuals. Food distribution started on 24 May. The verification of new arrivals is ongoing.

1 June 2016 – In two separate incidents that took place yesterday in the Gao area of Mali’s restive north, terrorists attacked an outpost of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA), as well as the services of a local provider for the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the most recent in a string of deadly attacks against the UN in the country.

“The Secretary-General is outraged by the terrorist attacks carried out yesterday in Gao, Mali, against the United Nations,” said a statement issued by a spokesperson for Ban Ki-moon.

According to preliminary reports, one peacekeeper from China was killed and a dozen UN personnel were injured when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated at the MINUSMA camp. In the second incident, one civilian contractor from France and two security guards from Mali were killed when the camp of a UN contractor, in another area of the city, was attacked by unknown assailants, the statement explained.

“[Mr. Ban] is deeply concerned by the recent series of attacks directed against MINUSMA that have killed 12 peacekeepers and injured many more in May alone,” said the statement, reiterating that nothing can excuse these acts of terrorism against men and women who are serving with the United Nations to help the people of Mali to restore stability and peace across the country.

Urging the Government of Mali, with the support of its partners, to expeditiously investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable, the UN chief in his statement, also calling on the people of Mali to provide information on the attacks to the authorities.

The Secretary-General extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of China, France and Mali, and he also wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

Mr. Ban reiterated that the UN will continue to support the peace agreement and stabilization of Mali.

According to the statement, in the coming days, the Secretary-General intends to present to the UN Security Council proposals to strengthen the Mission's posture and capabilities. The UN chief also reiterated the long-standing demand to ensure that MINUSMA forces are adequately equipped to operate in a dangerous and unpredictable environment such as Mali.

In a separate press statement, the members of the Security Council strongly condemned the attacks and reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the French forces that support it.

They also reiterated their strong support for the head of the Mission, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, and for MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, including through MINUSMA’s support to the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.

Echoing the Secretary-General’s concern about the security situation in Mali, the Council members also noted that the full implementation of the peace agreement and the intensification of efforts to overcome asymmetric threats can contribute to improving the security situation across Mali. They further stressed the importance that MINUSMA has the necessary capacities to fully fulfil its current mandate.

MINUSMA for its part condemned the attacks and provided more details, noting that while the exact facts are still being determined, preliminary damage is being assessed and the information revealed that staff housing had been destroyed in the deadly incident. The wounded were being treated and the Mission has deployed attack helicopters to conduct aerial surveys and a rapid reaction force is on patrol in Gao, MINUSMA said in a press release.

"I am outraged by these vicious, cowardly and totally unacceptable attacks against the MINUSMA camp of [mostly civilian personnel], and against the staff of the partner company of UNMAS […] in a city where the MINUSMA and UNMAS have invested heavily in efforts to support local authorities and in support of the local population,” said Mr. Annadif.

The MINUSMA chief went on to urge the Malian Government and local authorities in Gao to ensure that those responsible for these “heinous crimes” are identified and brought to justice.

"These crimes against MINUSMA and United Nations staff […] can no longer be tolerated and [can no longer] go unpunished," he emphasized.

The month saw Venezuela’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis worsen amid heightened tensions between the government and opposition, a situation which could lead to state collapse and regional destabilisation. Another major setback in electing a new president in Haiti prompted fears of further civil unrest. In West Africa, deadly violence in central Mali and south-east Nigeria spiked, while a power struggle in Guinea-Bissau led to a dangerous standoff. In Libya, factions for and against the fledgling Government of National Accord (GNA) advanced on Sirte to expel the Islamic State (IS), risking clashes over oil facilities, while Turkey saw heightened political polarisation and an increase in violence in Kurdish areas. Ongoing peace talks, despite slow progress and ongoing violence, remain the best chance to end major combat in Yemen.

In Venezuela, political tensions between the government led by President Maduro and the opposition Democratic Unity (MUD) alliance over attempts to trigger a presidential recall referendum intensified. Maduro’s decision on 16 May to issue a wide-ranging State of Exception and Economic Emergency decree suspending constitutional guarantees in order to combat what he called attempts by the opposition and foreign allies to overthrow the government was firmly condemned by the opposition. Senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on Venezuelans not to obey it, and told Maduro to “bring out the tanks” if he intended to enforce it. He warned the army to choose between allegiance to Maduro or the constitution. Public anger over the lack of food and other basic goods grew, with increased incidents of looting. Members of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) met on 1 June to discuss the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, after the OAS secretary general invoked the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Crisis Group has called on Latin American leaders to support international mediation if genuine political dialogue between the two sides is not in sight.

Elsewhere in the region, a commission finding that Haiti’s long-delayed presidential election last October was marred by massive irregularities and must be held again threw the country into further uncertainty and prompted fears of civil unrest in the weeks to come.

In West Africa, Mali’s central Mopti region saw a rise in clashes between ethnic Fulani and Bambara armed groups, while suspected jihadists launched several attacks on the army and international forces there, together leaving some 35 dead. Meanwhile, violence continued in the north in part as armed groups jostled to benefit from the promised disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration program – a critical component of the June 2015 Bamako peace accord. In Guinea-Bissau, the power struggle between President Vaz and the dominant faction of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) worsened. On 26 May, Vaz decided to create a “government of presidential initiative” and appointed PAIGC dissident Baciro Djá as the new Prime Minister. The mainstream PAIGC rejected the move as unconstitutional and called for protests which led to clashes between protestors and security forces.

In Nigeria, while ongoing army operations seem to have the Boko Haram jihadist insurgency on the back foot in the north east, security problems elsewhere have worsened. In the Niger Delta, the little-known militant group Niger Delta Avengers claimed six attacks on major oil and gas facilities, which significantly cut the country’s oil output and electricity supply. In the wider south east, security forces fought Biafran separatists in several cities on 30 May, leaving at least twenty dead, and in the centre, clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen killed at least 28. As Crisis Group has warned, unless the Buhari government explores existing political mechanisms to address discontent in the south east, Niger Delta and elsewhere, its gains against Boko Haram will be short-lived and the country could face even more deadly violence.

In Libya, west-based factions supporting the nascent Government of National Accord (GNA) and east-based factions opposing it mobilised troops, ostensibly to retake Sirte from the Islamic State (IS). Their advance could lead to worse fighting in the coming weeks over control of oil facilities in the Gulf of Sirte area. Despite international support for Prime Minister-designate Faez Serraj and the UN-backed Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), there is still much animosity in the east toward the LPA and Serraj and growing support for General Haftar’s rival Libyan National Army (LNA) after its recent military advances in Benghazi and Derna.

Meanwhile, in Turkey, the abrupt departure of Prime Minister Davutoğlu raised concerns about increasing political polarisation, amid signs that further moves are imminent to consolidate President Erdoğan’s de facto leading executive role. The lifting of immunities of parliamentarians facing criminal charges, which could lead to the expulsion of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MPs from parliament, alongside an increase in civilian casualties from Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) attacks in the south east, make the return to negotiations between the Kurdish movement and Turkey’s political leadership even more remote.

In Yemen, repeated ceasefire violations by Huthi/Saleh forces and government troops backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the coalition’s dangerous military build-up east of the capital, threatened the peace talks in Kuwait. Yet, slow progress aside, the UN-backed talks remain the best chance to end major combat and restart a meaningful political process.

POINTS SAILLANTS

La situation sécuritaire à l’Extreme Nord du Cameroun demeure toujours précaire. Des attaques ont été notées dans les départements de Mayo Sava et le Logone et Chari.

Le 13 Mai, 455 personnes (en provenance de Banki dans l’etat d’Adamawa au Nigeria) accompagnées par l’armée Nigériane sont arrivées dans la ville de Mora, département du Mayo Sava. Selon les interviews sommaires, elles seraient originaires du Cameroun.

STATISTIQUES

Les partenaires de protection ont entrepris des évaluations rapides sur le terrain par arrondissement au cours du mois d’avril qui ont permis d’estimer à 200,000 le nombre des personnes déplacées internes dans le Extrême Nord.

SITUATION SÉCURITAIRE

A Homeka, localite frontaliere avec le Nigeria dans l’arrondissement de Mora, département du Mayo Sava, un attentat a été commis par deux femmes kamikazes. Cet incident n’a pas provoqué des dégâts. Il faut rappeler que cette localité a été le lieu d’attaques meurtrières en 2015 où plus de 30 personnes ont perdu la vie.

L’arrondissement de Kolofata a connu une attaque perpétrée par les combattants de Boko Haram qui ont blessé un membre du comité de vigilance. L’un des combattants de la secte islamiste a été maîtrisé et remis aux autorités.

A Makary, département du Logone et Chari, le 12 mai, des éléments de Boko Haram ont attaqué un poste de sécurité de Souargué. L’attaque aurait fait deux blessés parmi la population civile. Trois éléments de Boko Haram ont été tués par le Bataillon d’Intervention Rapide (BIR). Une arme appartenant à Boko Haram a été récupérée par la BIR. Les membres du comité de vigilance de Bargaram et de Souargué ont intercepté et poursuivie des éléments de Boko Haram au dela de la frontière Cameroun/Nigeria.

L’arrondissement de Mayo Moskota, département du Mayo Tshanaga est resté sur le qui-vive suite aux rumeurs de possibles incursions des membres de la secte islamiste.

Niamey, Niger | AFP | mercredi 01/06/2016 - 22:51 GMT

Au moins neuf civils ont été tués et treize autres blessés mardi dans une attaque de Boko Haram dans un village de la région de Diffa, dans le sud-est du Niger, ont annoncé mercredi les médias et une source sécuritaire.

"Le village de Yébi a été le théâtre d'une attaque mardi soir de la nébuleuse Boko Haram le bilan est lourd: neuf mort et treize blessés", a précisé la télévision privé Ténéré.

"Neuf personnes ont été tuées et treize blessées dont trois gravement lors d'une attaque mardi contre Yébi", a de son côté affirmé la radio privée Anfani.

Un véhicule chargé de marchandises a été emporté par les assaillants, qui ont fui vers le Nigeria, a souligné la télévision Ténéré. Une source sécuritaire a "confirmé" à l'AFP l'attaque de Yébi, sans cependant donner de bilan.

Yébi est situé à quatre kilomètres de la ville-garnison de Bosso, sur les rives de la Komadougou Yobé, un cours d'eau qui sert de frontière naturelle avec le Nigeria, selon ces sources.

Le 19 mai, six civils avaient été tués à Yébi, dont deux tués par balles, quatre brûlés vifs, et sept autres personnes ont été blessées dans un raid des insurgés islamistes, selon l'armée du Niger.

Des membres de Boko Haram avaient "incendié" des habitations, le marché local, le bétail.

Depuis février 2015, le Niger est en proie à d'incessants assauts de Boko Haram dans la région du Lac Tchad dans le sud-est du pays, proche du bastion des insurgés islamistes dans le nord-est du Nigeria.

Le 27 mai, au moins dix combattants du groupe islamiste nigérian Boko Haram ont été tués lors de violents combats avec l'armée nigérienne à Bosso. Trois soldats nigériens ont été légèrement blessés dans ces combats.

Les assaillants venus du Nigeria ont détruit un véhicule de l'armée nigérienne, selon une source militaire. Elle a indiqué que "l'armée nigérienne a réussi à repousser l'assaut" des insurgés islamistes nigérians et a "récupéré du matériel" dont des grenades, des roquettes et des téléphones portables.

bh/ck/jpa

© 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse

In December 2016, Gambia holds Presidential elections amid serious violations of the rights of opposition members, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations and voters to express themselves freely and without fear of reprisal. This report highlights consistent patterns of violations against these groups since the last Presidential elections in November 2011. Space for freedom of expression has closed even further with new laws aimed to repress dissent on the internet and media outlets critical of the government facing harassment and censorship. Opposition groups still face major restrictions. In April and May 2016, Gambian security forces arbitrarily arrested and beat up dozens of members of the United Democratic Party (UDP), leading to the death of one, Solo Sandeng, the UDP National Organizing Secretary – following torture at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Amnesty International calls on the government of Gambia to act with urgency to safeguard the human rights of all Gambians in the run-up to December’s elections and far beyond. Amnesty International also urges the international community, including Gambia’s regional partners in ECOWAS and the AU, to consider stronger measures if Gambia does not make significant progress towards meeting its international and regional human rights obligations.

SECURITE ALIMENTAIRE

Du fait de la baisse significative de la production agricole, les ménages les plus vulnérables continuent de s’appauvrir. Malgré l’assistance alimentaire d’urgence en cours, un quart de la population tchadienne est en insécurité alimentaire avec un risque d’aggravation, si des moyens supplémentaires ne sont pas mobilisés. L’analyse du Cadre Harmonisé en mars 2016 estime plus d’un million de personnes en insécurité alimentaire sévère pour la période de soudure, soit une hausse de plus de 400 000 personnes par rapport à la période de soudure de 2015.

NUTRITION

Les tendances de la malnutrition aigüe montrent une détérioration de la situation nutritionnelle dans plusieurs régions, notamment dans le Kanem, le Barh-el-Gazel et au Lac. La mise en œuvre d’une réponse humanitaire d’urgence à la malnutrition aigüe est prioritaire dans 15 régions et dans les sites de réfugiés, retournés et déplacés internes. La lutte contre la malnutrition aigüe s’effectue à travers un ensemble d’interventions portant sur la nutrition, la santé, l’éducation, l’eau, l’hygiène et l’assainissement.