South Sudan’s referendum should be held on time – UN envoy
August 27, 2010 (JUBA) – The United Nations remains committed to conducting of south Sudan’s forthcoming referendum on time and full implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Haile Menkerios, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan said on Saturday. Haile Menkerios UN Special Representative to Sudan (UN)…
Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) Annual Activity Report 2009/ 2010
INTRODUCTION The 2009/2010 fiscal year is the time during which the volunteers of HRLHA once again proved their commitment to defending human dignity. The human rights situation in the horn in general and in Ethiopia in particular is declining every year. It is very unfortunate and frustrating that even the…
Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) Annual Activity Report 2009/ 2010
INTRODUCTION The 2009/2010 fiscal year is the time during which the volunteers of HRLHA once again proved their commitment to defending human dignity. The human rights situation in the horn in general and in Ethiopia in particular is declining every year. It is very unfortunate and frustrating that even the…
HRLHA Urgent Action No 5, 2010
Kidnapping and Disappearance in Ethiopia Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) is highly concerned about the safety of Mrs. Asha Mohammad Galmo and Mr. Milkesa Abdusalam Juhar, who were kidnapped on the 4th of August, 2010. Mrs. Asha Mohammad Galmo, age 40, and her son Milkessa Abdusalam…
Kenya: Ethiopians Jailed for Sneaking Into Region (Daily Nation)
Nairobi — Eighty Nine Ethiopians charged with being in Kenya illegally have started serving a three-month jail term after failing to raise a fine of Sh10,000 each. There was drama when the convicts broke into tears after pleading guilty. Some knelt and started chanting prayers, which they said were for…
US Special Envoy pledges support for holding referendum in January
August 22, 2010 (RENK) – Washington’s Special Envoy to Sudan, General Scot Gration pledged that his government was committed to supporting a “credible” and on schedule referendum on southern self-determination while visiting the autonomous region on Saturday. U.S. presidential special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration (Getty) Gration made the comments…
KENYA: Mohamed Barre Ali, “Our land has become a warzone”
DADACHABULLA, 20 August 2010 (IRIN) – Mohamed Barre Ali lives in Dadachabulla, in the northeastern Kenya area of Wajir South. Ali, an elder and chairman of the local peace committee, told IRIN how years of instability in neighbouring Somalia are affecting his village, about 10km from the border. “I am…
Yemen to deport 150 Ethiopian illegal immigrants
TA’IZZ, Aug. 20 (Saba) – Security Department in Ta’izz province has handed over 150 Ethiopian infiltrators to Passport and Immigration Authority in Sana’a who were detained for entry into the Yemeni lands illegally. The Immigration and Passport Authority said that they will deport the Ethiopian infiltrators who were handed over…
UN urges renewed support for relief workers on World Humanitarian Day
19 August 2010 –Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked World Humanitarian Day today by leading a chorus of United Nations officials in lauding aid workers – including some who have paid with their lives – for their tireless efforts to help those who have lived through wars, catastrophes and other terrible events. The…
AUGUST 19 WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY
“Better acceptance of humanitarian work by state and non-state actors alike is desperately needed. The vast majority of aid workers come from the countries in which they work. Preventing them from doing their work harms no-one more than the most vulnerable. Today is a good time for a renewed commitment…
ERITREA/ETHIOPIA , Ethiopia: Beware of Those Bearing Olive Branches!
“Beware of Greeks bearing gifts,” goes the old saying. I say beware of those bearing fake olive branches. In many societies, “extending an olive branch” symbolizes an act of reconciliation, goodwill and peace. In ancient Greece and Rome, people gave each other olive branches as tokens of their intention to…
Sudan expels UN and aid personnel
Sudanese authorities have expelled five workers from the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from West Darfur state, a UN official has said. Sudan has a history of tense relations with foreign aid agencies and the UN-African Union peacekeeping mission (Unamid), who are conducting the world’s largest aid operation…
U.S. special envoy heading to Sudan, Kenya
(WASHINGTON) — (ST) August 16, 2010, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration is headed to the region for a two week visit that will focus mainly on the preparations for the referendum in South Sudan that is scheduled for early next year. The U.S. State department said that…
UN chief voices concern over situation in Darfur
(KHARTOUM) — (ST) August 16, 2010, the United Nation’s secretary-general, Ban Ki Moon, has voiced concern over kidnappings of international peacekeepers as well as tension at Kalma camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), warning that these incidents have “contributed to a worsening of the situation” in the restive region of…
Somalia journalist jailed for Islamist interview
MOGADISHU Aug 15 (Reuters) – Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland has jailed a journalist for interviewing a rebel leader who claims links to al Qaeda-inspired Islamist militants, local media and an international watchdog said. Armed police seized Abdifatah Jama Mire, the deputy director of Horseed FM, and six of his colleagues,…
KENYA: Call to boost disaster preparedness in marginalized north
GARBATULLA, 13 August 2010 (IRIN) – Response to disasters and emergencies in northern Kenya continues to be hampered by lack of infrastructure – airstrips, communication, health facilities and personnel – with aid workers and disaster response experts calling for more preparedness. Prepositioning more emergency supplies in “rescue centres” in key…
SOMALIA: UN EXPERT CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PROTECT CIVILIANS AND PURSUE RIGHTS VIOLATORS
10 August 2010 The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Shamsul Bari, today urged the international community to provide due attention to the protection of civilians in Somalia and ensure accountability for perpetrators of gross human rights and international humanitarian law violations. “I am deeply…
SOMALIA: Ban on aid agencies condemned
NAIROBI, 10 August 2010 (IRIN) – Government officials, aid beneficiaries and humanitarian workers in south-central Somalia have condemned a ban imposed on three aid organizations by the Islamist group, Al Shabab, which controls most of the region. “There is absolutely no excuse for this action,” Abdi Haji Gobdon, the media…
Sudan bars aid groups from huge Darfur camp: UN
KHARTOUM (AFP) – Sudan has barred aid groups from the huge Kalma refugee camp in Darfur in the wake of clashes between groups for and against the peace process, the United Nations said on Friday. “No humanitarian (groups) have been allowed to Kalma and Bilal,” the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs…
South Sudan prepares ‘national anthem’
Juba – Sudan (AFP) – South Sudan is preparing a national anthem, a military spokesman said on Thursday, less than six months ahead of a crucial referendum that could lead to the partition of Africa’s largest country. “We have asked southern Sudanese musicians, writers and artists to help us write…
New Kenyan Constitution Ratified
Mariama Diallo | Washington06 August 2010 Photo: AP Kenyans wait in long line up to cast their votes during the referendum for Kenya constitution in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, 04 Aug 2010 Share This Related ArticlesPartial results from a referendum in Kenya show that voters overwhelmingly backed a new constitution…
Darfur JEM to demand self-rule if conflict goes on
KHARTOUM (AFP) – Darfur’s most active rebel group said on Wednesday it would demand self-determination for the devastated Sudanese region if conflict with the government continues, a spokesman told AFP. Justice and Equality Movement spokesman Ahmed Hussein Adam said the group, which withdrew from peace talks with Khartoum in May after renewed…