News briefs
Regular digests of news on the countries SALO follows, compiled by SALO researchers.
South Sudan - 16 July 2015
UN Security Council renews mandate of peacekeeping force in Abyei The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei – a contested region bordering Sudan and South Sudan – for five months, until …
Sudan - 16 July 2015
Outrage as 9 Sudanese women face 40 lashes for wearing trousers A Sudanese Christian woman arrested for wearing trousers has narrowly escaped the punishment of 40 lashes, in a case that human rights groups say is further damning evidence of …
Somalia - 16 July 2015
Somalia takes Kenya to ICJ over sea border The Somali government has submitted its dispute with Kenya over their sea border to the International Court of Justice. The disputed ocean territory stretches for more than 100,000 sq km. Tests …
CAR - 16 July 2015
Europe Funded Illegal Logging and War in Central African Republic A total of 3.4 million euros in total would have ended in the hands of Seleka fighters – responsible for torturing and murdering thousands of local residents. European …
DRC - 16 July 2015
Success of UN DR Congo mission hinges on ‘constructive partnership’ with Government, Security Council told The capacity of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to fulfil its …
Africa - 2 July 2015
France suspends two of its soldiers in Burkina Faso over child sex abuse France has suspended two soldiers over allegations of child sex abuse, including of a five-year-old girl, in the west African country of Burkina Faso, the defence …
Swaziland - 2 July 2015
Swaziland’s Massive Military Spending A new report shows Swaziland spent US$259.8 million on its military in the past three years. In 2014 military spending amounted to 5.9 percent of all government, spending in Swaziland, according to the …
Zimbabwe - 2 July 2015
Obama snubs Mugabe States President Barack Obama will not be meeting President Robert Mugabe on his last official visit to Africa this month despite his itinerary including a visit to the African Union (AU) headquarters. Mugabe is the AU …
Madagascar - 2 July 2015
Prez greets Madagascar on its national day President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday greeted the government and people of the Republic of Madagascar on the eve of their national day. “On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my …
Western Sahara - 2 July 2015
The U.N. shifts on the Western Sahara conflict The U.N. Security Council’s renewal of the mandate of the U.N. Mission in Western Sahara, or MINURSO, on April 28 marked a shift in the United Nations’ approach to the Western Sahara dispute.
Somalia - 2 July 2015
Somalia Celebrates 55 Years of Independence As Somalis celebrate 55 years of independence, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has urged them to dedicate themselves to defending the country’s freedom and sovereignty. On this day Somalia …
South Sudan - 2 July 2015
UN documents atrocities committed by South Sudan army in Unity state United Nations (UN) investigations uncovered “disturbing” killing of civilians, rapes and abduction in South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity state between April and June, according …
Sudan - 2 July 2015
Sudan seizes another daily newspaper, making 2015 worst year for country’s media Sudanese security officers have confiscated the entire print-run of El Jareeda daily newspaper in Khartoum, following a punishing six months for the country’s …
CAR - 2 July 2015
Central African Republic Begins Enrolment for Presidential Vote Central African Republic began enrolling voters for general elections in October even after rebel groups threatened to block the process. Interim President Catherine …
DRC - 2 July 2015
DRC court convicts 14 rebels of ’terrorism’ A court in Beni, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s northeastern region, convicted 14 people on Monday for “terrorism,” a local legal source told Anadolu Agency. According to the …
Africa - 25 June 2015
British police arrest Rwandan spy chief British police have arrested Rwandan Intelligence chief Karenzi Karake at the request of Spain, where he is wanted in connection with war crimes. The director general of Rwanda’s National Intelligence …
Swaziland - 25 June 2015
No Oversight On Swazi King’s Spending There is no oversight on how Swaziland King Mswati III, his fifteen wives and vast royal family spend public money, a United States report has concluded. The US makes annual reviews of the ‘fiscal …
Zimbabwe - 25 June 2015
Mutasa ready to spill ‘rigging’ beans in court FORMER Zanu PF stalwart and axed Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa yesterday said he was ready to stand in court and give evidence on how the ruling Zanu PF party rigged the 2008 …
Madagascar - 25 June 2015
Police teargas Madagascar lawmaker in car Malagascar police said on Tuesday they discovered about $65 000 in a lawmaker’s car after being tipped off that she was carrying cash to incite political unrest. The incident on Monday evening, in …
Western Sahara - 25 June 2015
Leaked cables: Morocco lobbied UN to turn blind eye to Western Sahara in ‘House of Cards’ operation The Moroccan government intercepted United Nations communications and used “unethical tactics” in a “House of Cards”-style operation …