Taliban’s catastrophic year of rule in Afghanistan
11/8/2022: Since taking control of Afghanistan a year ago, Taliban authorities have imposed severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, suppressed the media, and arbitrarily detained, tortured, and executed their perceived opponents. These abuses have imperiled international efforts to address the country’s dire humanitarian situation.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Ethiopia expands Renaissance Dam production
11/8/2022: Ethiopia has activated the second turbine of the Grand Renaissance Dam, even as Egypt protested that dispute resolutions relating to the dam remain pending. The dam on the Blue Nile should improve access to electricity in Ethiopia which is currently just under 45 percent.
Source: The East African
UN reports crimes against humanity in Myanmar
9/8/2022: Rape and other forms of sexual violence, and crimes against children, have been perpetrated by Myanmar security forces and armed groups, according to a new UN report. Evidence is being shared with the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.
Source: UN News
Rwanda: human rights should be priority on Blinken trip
8/8/2022: The US Secretary of State’s forthcoming visit to Rwanda offers an opportunity to raise concerns about a wide range of alleged state-sponsored violations of human rights, both within and across Rwanda’s borders.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Iran nuclear talks end as EU submits ‘final text’
8/8/2022: Diplomats involved in the negotiations in Vienna to revive the Iran nuclear deal have returned to their capitals with a draft for a new agreement. Iran has massively expanded its nuclear activities since the pact collapsed in 2018 following Washington's decision to pull out.
Source: DW
Nuclear-free world is possible, test-ban treaty chief says
5/8/2022: A UN conference is under way to review progress towards implementing the 50-year-old Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Although only one country has tested weapons this millennium, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty has not been ratified due to a small number of hold-out countries.
Source: UN News
Nuclear weapons a ‘loaded gun’, UN chief warns in Hiroshima
6/8/2022: On the 77th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, UN head Antonio Guterres warned of the risk posed by nuclear weapons held in state arsenals worldwide. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, President Vladimir Putin has made thinly veiled threats to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.
Source: CNA
Healthy life expectancy in Africa up by nearly 10 years
4/8/2022: Life-expectancy on the African continent increased from 46 to 56 years between 2000 and 2019, a rise greater than any other region in the world. The World Health Organization warned that the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could undermine the improvement.
Source: UN News
African climate diplomats reject pro-gas stance for COP27
4/8/2022: The executive council of the African Union has proposed that the continent should promote gas as a bridge fuel alongside development of renewable energy. They argue that 570 million people in Africa will otherwise remain without access to modern energy by 2030. Negotiators have quashed a proposal as too controversial.
Source: Climate Home News
South Sudan extends transitional government by two years
4/8/2022: South Sudan’s leaders have failed to achieve their timetable for organising elections in accordance with the 2018 peace agreement. The troika of the US, UK and Norway, donors of the peace process, boycotted the announcement of an extension of the transitional government.
Source: The East African