United Nations, United States | AFP | The first soldiers of a United Nations-mandated regional military force are set to be deployed to South Sudan within about a month, the outgoing UN official in charge of peacekeeping said Friday. “The vanguard element of the force will be deployed between end …
Read More »Russia trying to gain influence in Libya: US general
Washington, United States | AFP | Russia is trying to expand its influence in Libya through a combination of military means and oil and weapons sales, a top US general said Friday. General Thomas Tom Waldhauser, who heads the US military’s Africa Command, said Russia is “on the ground” in …
Read More »UN Security Council again eyes sanctions on South Sudan
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council voiced alarm Thursday about the deepening humanitarian crisis and famine in South Sudan, with the United States, Britain and France raising anew the idea of sanctions and a weapons embargo. Attacks on humanitarian and UN missions, serial rapes, recruitment of …
Read More »China’s Xi calls for peace in meeting with Netanyahu
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping called Tuesday for peace between Israel and an independent Palestine “as soon as possible” during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, state media reported. “A peaceful, stable and developing Middle East is the common interest of all parties… China appreciates …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Key forces battling for control in Libya
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Dozens of armed factions have battled for control of oil-rich Libya since the 2011 fall of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. This week, four days of intense fighting saw pro-unity government armed forces expand their control in the capital Tripoli, where dozens of militias operate. Further east, …
Read More »Two killed in attack on South Sudan aid convoy
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | The International Organization for Migration said Thursday that two people were killed when gunmen attacked an aid convoy in South Sudan, where chronic violence has led to famine. The aid organisation said the convoy was attacked on Tuesday as it was returning from the central …
Read More »Aid groups slam South Sudan’s $10,000 visas
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | International aid agencies on Saturday slammed South Sudan’s decision to raise foreign worker visa fees to as much as $10,000 (9,300 euros), warning it would worsen a humanitarian crisis in the famine-hit country. “The government and the army have largely contributed to the humanitarian situation,” …
Read More »Trump invites Palestinian leader Abbas to White House ‘soon’
Ramallah, Palestinian Territories | AFP | US President Donald Trump has invited Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas to visit the White House “soon”, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said on Friday. During their first phone call since Trump’s inauguration in January, the US president invited Abbas “to visit the White …
Read More »Sudan’s Bashir pardons 259 rebels
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday pardoned 259 rebels captured in fighting with government forces, including dozens who had been sentenced to death, the presidency said. Bashir’s order came three days after a prominent insurgent group freed dozens of prisoners, mostly soldiers, it had captured in …
Read More »Sudan rebels free 125 prisoners after Uganda mediation
Sudan rebels free 125 prisoners captured in fighting Entebbe, Uganda | AFP | Sudanese rebels on Sunday released at least 125 prisoners they had captured in fighting with government forces, most of them soldiers, an AFP journalist said. Their release was secured thanks to mediation from Uganda, while the International …
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The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price