CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
12 PER CENT DECREASE IN IDPs AND INCREASE IN REFUGEES
IDP figures drop for the fourth consecutive week, with 567,635 IDPs currently in CAR-- a 12 per cent decline since last month. Refugee figures have increased by 12 per cent in the past month, with 114,271 refugees displaced to CAR, DRC, RoC, and Cameroon since December.
UNSC IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON CAR REBEL LEADERS
The UN Security Council has imposed asset freezes and travel bans on former CAR President, Francois Bozize, Seleka leader Nourredine Adam and anti-Balaka political coordinator Levy Yakete for undermining peace and fuelling violence in CAR.
2/3 OF SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED IN CAR
UNICEF reports that more than half way through the school year, almost two-thirds of schools in CAR remain closed. The CAR crisis has disrupted two school years since the end of 2012.
CHAD
CAR/CHAD BORDER CLOSED INDEFINITELY
On 12 May, Chad’s President announced closure of its southern border with CAR until the crisis in CAR is resolved, permitting only Chadian citizens to cross. The border closure follows accusations that the gunmen responsible for the 2 May attack of Markounda (northern CAR) were Chadians.
MALI
AGREEMENT TO REPATRIATE MALIAN REFUGEES IS SIGNED
On 3 May, UNHCR, Mali and Niger signed a tripartite agreement to support spontaneous returns of Malian refugees and ensure the voluntary nature of these returns.
NIGER
1,000 NEW ARRIVALS FROM NORTHEAST NIGERIA TO NIGER EVERY WEEK
UNHCR announced that between 700-1,000 people are fleeing northeast Nigeria´s violence every week into Niger’s Diffa region, bringing the total number of new arrivals to 50,000. At current levels, 100,000 new arrivals are expected in Diffa by the end of the year.
NIGERIA
LAND MINES, BRIDGE EXPLOSIONS CHALLENGE HUNT FOR MISSING SCHOOLGIRLS
International expert groups from the US, France, and UK, inter alia, have arrived to assist in the search for the remaining 223 missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram last month. Rescue efforts have been compromised following the destruction of two strategic bridges by the group and the reported laying of land mines to obstruct rescue missions in the northeast.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
80,000 DRC CITIZENS EXPELLED, HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS GROW IN DRC
More than 80,000 citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been expelled from Republic of Congo over the past month. Many forced returnees reportedly have little attachment to DRC and lack access to basic services.
SAHEL
LOWER RAINFALL EXPECTED IN 2014, SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN THE WEST
ACMAD reports that below average precipitation is very likely in Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia and parts of Mali and Mauritania from June to September 2014.
SENEGAL
SENEGAL RE-OPENS BORDER WITH GUINEA
Senegal reopened its border with Guinea this week after having closed the border last month to contain the Ebola outbreak.
