United Nations, United States | AFP | UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed faced accusations from an advocacy group on Thursday that she granted illegal permits to Chinese firms to import endangered Nigerian timber when she was Nigeria’s environment minister. Documents provided by Mohammed were used by Chinese importers to clear …
Read More »UN official, in Mali, warns over ‘violations’ in anti-terror raids
Bamako, Mali | AFP | A senior UN official, on a visit to Mali, has warned about “violations committed during anti-terrorist operations” after Bamako said French troops killed Malian soldiers during a raid against jihadists. An official from Mali’s defense ministry on Tuesday confirmed that Malian soldiers captured by jihadists …
Read More »Syria to join Paris climate pact, isolating US
Bonn, Germany | AFP | Syria told the UN climate talks in Bonn on Tuesday that it would join the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States as the only nation in the world opting to stay outside the landmark treaty. “We are going to join the Paris Agreement,” the Syrian delegate, …
Read More »US tells DR Congo to stick to election timetable
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United States on Monday backed plans by the Democratic Republic of Congo to hold elections in December 2018 and warned President Joseph Kabila must stick to the timeline. The election commission in Kinshasa announced on Sunday that the long-awaited presidential, legislative, regional and …
Read More »UN, Colombia sign key anti-cocaine pact
Vienna, Austria | AFP | The UN and Bogota signed a major pact Friday to uproot Colombia’s booming cocaine business, as part of ongoing peace efforts between the government and drug trade-controlling rebels. The deal worth $315 million dollars (270 million euros) aims to wean farmers off growing coca — …
Read More »What is the Paris Agreement?
Paris, France | AFP | On December 12, 2015, 195 countries gathered in the French capital to conclude the first truly universal climate treaty, the Paris Agreement, aimed at preventing the worst-case scenarios of global warming. The Palestinian Authority and Nicaragua have since also signed up, while President Donald Trump announced …
Read More »UN chief to highlight world’s ‘forgotten crisis’ in C. Africa
United Nations, United States | AFP | UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is traveling to the Central African Republic next week to draw attention to the world’s “forgotten crisis” and its heavy toll on aid workers and UN peacekeepers. “The Central African Republic is very far from the attention of the international …
Read More »UN-backed Libya talks hit new snag
Tunis, Tunisia | AFP | Talks between representatives of rival authorities in strife-torn Libya have hit a new snag after a parliamentary delegation suspended its participation in the UN-backed discussions hosted by Tunisia. Years of political turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi have left Libya divided between …
Read More »South Sudan’s government lukewarm about new peace push: UN
United Nations, United States | AFP | South Sudan’s government has shown little interest in a new regional peace initiative that the United States has described as a final chance to end the war, the UN peacekeeping chief said Tuesday. The UN Security Council has thrown its weight behind the drive …
Read More »DRC wins seat on UN rights council despite US opposition
United Nations, United States | AFP | The Democratic Republic of Congo was elected to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday despite opposition from the United States and a leading rights group. DR Congo was among the 15 countries who won seats during a vote at the UN General …
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