Voting began in presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic on Sunday, in a key test for one of the world's most troubled nations.

The polls take place after a week of turbulence, marked by accusations of an attempted coup, the brief seizure of the CAR's fourth-largest town and the dispatch of military personnel by Russia and Rwanda to help its beleaguered government.

UN peacekeepers and local and Rwandan soldiers were patrolling the streets throughout the capital, with armoured vehicles posted outside voting places armed with machine guns, AFP journalists saw.

There was a delay of around 50 minutes before some polling stations in Bangui opened as voting materials had not been delivered on time.

"It's very important for me to be here, as a citizen. I think this vote will change our country, whoever the president will be," teacher Hortense Reine said outside a voting place in Boganda secondary school in the city's east, where around 30 people were queueing.

Senior officials at the election organising authority told AFP that where polling stations had opened late, voting would continue for an additional 50 minutes.

- Questions over legitimacy -

The frontrunner for the presidency is incumbent Faustin Archange Touadera, who was elected in 2016.

The mineral-rich but poverty-stricken country has been chronically unstable since independence 60 years ago.

Thousands of people have died since a civil war erupted in 2013 and more than a quarter of the population of 4.9 million have fled their homes. Of these, 675,000 are refugees in neighbouring countries and cannot vote.

Even though bloodshed has receded in intensity over the last two years, violence remains chronic. Militia groups hold sway over two-thirds of the territory, spurring fears about intimidation that could also affect turnout.

Experts and opposition figures have already asked what legitimacy the president and 140 MPs to be elected will have, given the obstacles to a large proportion of people outside Bangui voting freely.

On December 19, the government accused armed groups of banding together and advancing on the capital Bangui in a plot allegedly fomented by ousted former president Francois Bozize, a charge he denies.

Fears about the rebels swept the city in the following days, although the UN peacekeeping force MINUSCA said their advance had been stopped.

"There are security risks surrounding the elections, but I will go and cast my ballot," 29-year-old Lionel Fotot said on Thursday, as he went to get his voter's registration card at a school in Bangui.

- 'How do we vote?' -

Others were less optimistic, however, with sporadic fighting potentially undermining the vote.&nbsp;

"Everyone is fleeing at the moment. I'm holed up at home," Robert, from Boali, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Bangui told AFP by phone, explosions audible in the background.

"How do we vote when we don't even have our voter cards," he added.

The rebel coalition on Wednesday announced a 72-hour "unilateral ceasefire" in the runup to the vote, only to call it off on Friday.

In a statement authenticated by two of its six members, the coalition said that it would resume its march on the capital.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the CAR's fourth-largest town, Bambari, 380 km northeast of Bangui, was overrun by an armed group called the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC).

Security forces backed by UN peacekeepers regained control the following day.

Sixteen candidates are vying for the presidency.

Touadera's main rival is Anicet Georges Dologuele, an economist and former prime minister.

He is being backed by Bozize after his own bid was barred by the CAR's top court for being on a 2014 wanted list and under UN sanctions.

A runoff vote will be held on February 14 if there is no overall majority in the first round.

Around 1,500 candidates are contesting the 140 seats in the national assembly, but many have been unable to campaign because of insecurity.

Voting began in presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic on Sunday, in a key test for one of the world's most troubled nations. The polls take place after a week of turbulence, marked by accusations of an attempted coup, the brief seizure of the CAR's fourth-largest town and the dispatch of military personnel by Russia and Rwanda to help its beleaguered government.

Voting began in presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic on Sunday, in a key test for one of the world's most troubled nations. The polls take place after a week of turbulence, marked by accusations of an attempted coup, the brief seizure of the CAR's fourth-largest town and the dispatch of military personnel by Russia and Rwanda to help its beleaguered government. UN peacekeepers and local and Rwandan soldiers were patrolling the streets throughout the capital, with armoured vehicles posted outside voting places armed with machine guns, AFP journalists saw. There was a delay of around 50 minutes before some polling stations in Bangui opened as voting materials had not been delivered on time. "It's very important for me to be here, as a citizen. I think this vote will change our country, whoever the president will be," teacher Hortense Reine said outside a voting place in Boganda secondary school in the city's east, where around 30 people were queueing. Senior officials at the election organising authority told AFP that where polling stations had opened late, voting would continue for an additional 50 minutes. - Questions over legitimacy - The frontrunner for the presidency is incumbent Faustin Archange Touadera, who was elected in 2016. The mineral-rich but poverty-stricken country has been chronically unstable since independence 60 years ago. Thousands of people have died since a civil war erupted in 2013 and more than a quarter of the population of 4.9 million have fled their homes. Of these, 675,000 are refugees in neighbouring countries and cannot vote. Even though bloodshed has receded in intensity over the last two years, violence remains chronic. Militia groups hold sway over two-thirds of the territory, spurring fears about intimidation that could also affect turnout. Experts and opposition figures have already asked what legitimacy the president and 140 MPs to be elected will have, given the obstacles to a large proportion of people outside Bangui voting freely. On December 19, the government accused armed groups of banding together and advancing on the capital Bangui in a plot allegedly fomented by ousted former president Francois Bozize, a charge he denies. Fears about the rebels swept the city in the following days, although the UN peacekeeping force MINUSCA said their advance had been stopped. "There are security risks surrounding the elections, but I will go and cast my ballot," 29-year-old Lionel Fotot said on Thursday, as he went to get his voter's registration card at a school in Bangui. - 'How do we vote?' - Others were less optimistic, however, with sporadic fighting potentially undermining the vote. "Everyone is fleeing at the moment. I'm holed up at home," Robert, from Boali, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Bangui told AFP by phone, explosions audible in the background. "How do we vote when we don't even have our voter cards," he added. The rebel coalition on Wednesday announced a 72-hour "unilateral ceasefire" in the runup to the vote, only to call it off on Friday. In a statement authenticated by two of its six members, the coalition said that it would resume its march on the capital. On Tuesday, the CAR's fourth-largest town, Bambari, 380 km northeast of Bangui, was overrun by an armed group called the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC). Security forces backed by UN peacekeepers regained control the following day. Sixteen candidates are vying for the presidency. Touadera's main rival is Anicet Georges Dologuele, an economist and former prime minister. He is being backed by Bozize after his own bid was barred by the CAR's top court for being on a 2014 wanted list and under UN sanctions. A runoff vote will be held on February 14 if there is no overall majority in the first round. Around 1,500 candidates are contesting the 140 seats in the national assembly, but many have been unable to campaign because of insecurity.

Troubled Central Africa goes to polls

Three UN peacekeepers have been killed by unidentified combatants in the Central African Republic, the United Nations said, as the country prepares for a general election and fighting continues between rebels and government forces.

The news came after a rebel coalition called off a ceasefire and said it would resume its march on the capital and following the arrival of troops from Russia and Rwanda to shore up the government of the resource-rich country.

"Three peacekeepers from Burundi were killed and two others were wounded" following attacks on UN troops and Central African national defense and security forces, the UN said in a statement Friday.

The assaults took place in Dekoa, central Kemo Prefecture, and in Bakouma, in the southern Mbomou Prefecture, it said, without providing further details.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, strongly condemned the latest incident, and called on the CAR authorities to investigate the "heinous" assaults.&nbsp;

He also warned that "attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime."

Ahead of the polls, 63-year-old incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadera has accused his predecessor Francois Bozize of plotting a coup.&nbsp;

Bozize -- who is under UN sanctions and barred from running -- denies the charges.

On Tuesday a militia briefly seized the country's fourth biggest town, before it was retaken by security forces backed by UN peacekeepers.

- Broken ceasefire -

Rebel groups launched an offensive a week ago threatening to march on the capital Bangui, in what the government described as an attempted coup, but their progress was halted with international help.

However, a three-day ceasefire brokered ahead of the elections fell apart Friday with the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) announcing that it would resume its push for the capital.&nbsp;

The CPC -- whose components are drawn from militia groups that, together, control two-thirds of the country -- was created on December 19 by armed groups who accused Touadera of trying to fix the vote.

Clashes resumed on Friday in Bakouma, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) northeast of Bangui, according to Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for the UN's MINUSCA peacekeeping force.

MINUSA said Thursday that a 300-strong contingent of Rwandan reinforcements had arrived in the country.

Russia, which recently signed a military cooperation agreement with Touadera's government, has also sent at least 300 military instructors to bolster the CAR's forces ahead of the polls.

Sunday's elections are deemed a key test of CAR's ability to recover stability.

But a crucial question is whether turnout will be badly affected by violence or intimidation, denting the credibility of the next president and the 140-seat legislature.&nbsp;

Mineral-rich but rated the world's second-poorest country on the Human Development Index, the CAR has been chronically unstable since independence 60 years ago.

Three UN peacekeepers have been killed by unidentified combatants in the Central African Republic, the United Nations said, as the country prepares for a general election and fighting continues between rebels and government forces.

Three UN peacekeepers have been killed by unidentified combatants in the Central African Republic, the United Nations said, as the country prepares for a general election and fighting continues between rebels and government forces. The news came after a rebel coalition called off a ceasefire and said it would resume its march on the capital and following the arrival of troops from Russia and Rwanda to shore up the government of the resource-rich country. "Three peacekeepers from Burundi were killed and two others were wounded" following attacks on UN troops and Central African national defense and security forces, the UN said in a statement Friday. The assaults took place in Dekoa, central Kemo Prefecture, and in Bakouma, in the southern Mbomou Prefecture, it said, without providing further details. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, strongly condemned the latest incident, and called on the CAR authorities to investigate the "heinous" assaults. He also warned that "attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime." Ahead of the polls, 63-year-old incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadera has accused his predecessor Francois Bozize of plotting a coup. Bozize -- who is under UN sanctions and barred from running -- denies the charges. On Tuesday a militia briefly seized the country's fourth biggest town, before it was retaken by security forces backed by UN peacekeepers. - Broken ceasefire - Rebel groups launched an offensive a week ago threatening to march on the capital Bangui, in what the government described as an attempted coup, but their progress was halted with international help. However, a three-day ceasefire brokered ahead of the elections fell apart Friday with the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) announcing that it would resume its push for the capital. The CPC -- whose components are drawn from militia groups that, together, control two-thirds of the country -- was created on December 19 by armed groups who accused Touadera of trying to fix the vote. Clashes resumed on Friday in Bakouma, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) northeast of Bangui, according to Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for the UN's MINUSCA peacekeeping force. MINUSA said Thursday that a 300-strong contingent of Rwandan reinforcements had arrived in the country. Russia, which recently signed a military cooperation agreement with Touadera's government, has also sent at least 300 military instructors to bolster the CAR's forces ahead of the polls. Sunday's elections are deemed a key test of CAR's ability to recover stability. But a crucial question is whether turnout will be badly affected by violence or intimidation, denting the credibility of the next president and the 140-seat legislature. Mineral-rich but rated the world's second-poorest country on the Human Development Index, the CAR has been chronically unstable since independence 60 years ago.

Three UN peacekeepers killed in C Africa Republic ahead of national polls

Violence surged ahead of elections in the Central African Republic. Both Russia and U.S. are volunteering to help stabilise the situation. What's bringing world powers to this civil war-ravaged nation? Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report.

Gravitas: U.S., Russia spar for dominance in Central Africa

The United States of America and Russia are sparring over control of minerally rich&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;Republic.

For years, France and the United States maintained a strong presence in the Central African Republic (CAR)—until the end of military operations in 2016 and a withdrawal of forces in 2017. This disengagement turned out to be a major opportunity for Russia, which was seeking to advance its geopolitical and economic interests in the region.

Ever since, the Kremlin has rapidly expanded its influence by propping up CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra with presidential protection, military support, and the creation of a network of political allies to back the embattled leader. In exchange for this support, CAR has surrendered great parts of its sovereignty to pro-Kremlin security emissaries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-preparing-new-sanctions-to-impede-russias-nord-stream-2-pipeline-351943" hreflang="en">US preparing new sanctions to impede Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline</a>

Both US and Russia have their eyes on&nbsp;the Central African Republic,&nbsp;which is a landlocked country that has significant&nbsp;mineral&nbsp;deposits and other resources, such as diamonds, gold, uranium, and graphite, as well as significant quantities of arable land and lumber.

Russia has sent 300 military instructors to the&nbsp;Central&nbsp;African&nbsp;Republic&nbsp;at the request of the country's leadership to help counter a surge in rebel violence ahead of Sunday's election.

Officials and a security source in the&nbsp;Central&nbsp;African&nbsp;capital Bangui said earlier on Monday that Rwanda and Russia had dispatched troops and supplies.

The 300 Russian instructors coming at the request of Bangui authorities are to provide training to the national army.

They could bolster security forces and over 12,000 United Nations peacekeepers as armed rebel groups, some of whom fought one another in the country's prolonged conflict, have formed an alliance and are threatening to march on the capital.

"We are carefully following the unfolding situation in the&nbsp;Central&nbsp;African&nbsp;Republic," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "We are seriously concerned that the events of recent days have led to a sharp deterioration in the security situation in this country."

The mineral-rich but deeply impoverished country has struggled to regain stability since 2013 when then-president Francois Bozize was ousted by a rebellion of mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

The United States on Wednesday called for transparency and an end to violence after Russia said it had dispatched 300 military instructors to the&nbsp;Central&nbsp;African&nbsp;Republic&nbsp;ahead of elections.

"Our position has always been that countries that provide assistance -- military or otherwise -- should do so in a transparent and coordinated way and that this assistance should support the desire of the people of CAR for good governance and stability," a State Department spokesperson said when asked about Russia's role.

The State Department said it "deplores" the rising violence ahead of weekend elections, including rebels' brief seizure of the turbulent nation's fourth-largest town Bambari.

Moscow has led a diplomatic and financial offensive in the deeply troubled nation since 2018 in return for concessions to Russian companies to exploit the country's mineral wealth, especially gold and diamonds.

While the United States has been outspoken in criticizing Russia's role in conflicts in Ukraine, Libya, and Syria, it joined Moscow in a statement on the&nbsp;Central&nbsp;African&nbsp;Republic&nbsp;on Sunday that included former colonial power France.

The statement, also signed by the UN,&nbsp;African&nbsp;Union, European Union, and World Bank, condemned rising violence in CAR and called for free and peaceful elections.

The United States of America and Russia are sparring over control of minerally rich Central Africa Republic. For years, France and the United States maintained a strong presence in the Central African Republic (CAR)—until the end of military operations in 2016 and a withdrawal of forces in 2017.

The United States of America and Russia are sparring over control of minerally rich Central Africa Republic. For years, France and the United States maintained a strong presence in the Central African Republic (CAR)—until the end of military operations in 2016 and a withdrawal of forces in 2017. This disengagement turned out to be a major opportunity for Russia, which was seeking to advance its geopolitical and economic interests in the region. Ever since, the Kremlin has rapidly expanded its influence by propping up CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra with presidential protection, military support, and the creation of a network of political allies to back the embattled leader. In exchange for this support, CAR has surrendered great parts of its sovereignty to pro-Kremlin security emissaries. Also read: US preparing new sanctions to impede Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline Both US and Russia have their eyes on the Central African Republic, which is a landlocked country that has significant mineral deposits and other resources, such as diamonds, gold, uranium, and graphite, as well as significant quantities of arable land and lumber. Russia has sent 300 military instructors to the Central African Republic at the request of the country's leadership to help counter a surge in rebel violence ahead of Sunday's election. Officials and a security source in the Central African capital Bangui said earlier on Monday that Rwanda and Russia had dispatched troops and supplies. The 300 Russian instructors coming at the request of Bangui authorities are to provide training to the national army. They could bolster security forces and over 12,000 United Nations peacekeepers as armed rebel groups, some of whom fought one another in the country's prolonged conflict, have formed an alliance and are threatening to march on the capital. "We are carefully following the unfolding situation in the Central African Republic," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "We are seriously concerned that the events of recent days have led to a sharp deterioration in the security situation in this country." The mineral-rich but deeply impoverished country has struggled to regain stability since 2013 when then-president Francois Bozize was ousted by a rebellion of mainly Muslim Seleka rebels. The United States on Wednesday called for transparency and an end to violence after Russia said it had dispatched 300 military instructors to the Central African Republic ahead of elections. "Our position has always been that countries that provide assistance -- military or otherwise -- should do so in a transparent and coordinated way and that this assistance should support the desire of the people of CAR for good governance and stability," a State Department spokesperson said when asked about Russia's role. The State Department said it "deplores" the rising violence ahead of weekend elections, including rebels' brief seizure of the turbulent nation's fourth-largest town Bambari. Moscow has led a diplomatic and financial offensive in the deeply troubled nation since 2018 in return for concessions to Russian companies to exploit the country's mineral wealth, especially gold and diamonds. While the United States has been outspoken in criticizing Russia's role in conflicts in Ukraine, Libya, and Syria, it joined Moscow in a statement on the Central African Republic on Sunday that included former colonial power France. The statement, also signed by the UN, African Union, European Union, and World Bank, condemned rising violence in CAR and called for free and peaceful elections.

Why US and Russia are sparring over control of Central Africa Republic

An opposition coalition in Central African Republic on Sunday called for postponement of elections a week before the vote, as the party of ex-president Francois Bozize denied claims that it was attempting to stage a coup.

The Coalition of the Democratic Opposition (COD-2020) made the call a day after the government said Bozize intended to march on the capital with his men, as a separate group of rebel forces seized control of key routes to Bangui.

Newly consolidated rebel forces control a huge chunk of the country and their recent surprise announcement of unity has heightened tensions ahead of the December 27 presidential and legislative elections.

The Central African Republic has been struggling with instability and inter-communal fighting since 2013. Violence has receded in intensity in the last two years, but rival militia groups hold sway over two-thirds of the country.&nbsp;

The statement from the opposition coalition, which was until recently led by Bozize, "demanded the postponement of the December group elections until the re-establishment of peace and security".

COD-2020 includes the main parties and movements opposed to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who is expected to win a second mandate in the election.

On Saturday, leaders of the three main armed rebel groups occupying large areas of the Central African Republic announced a coalition, called the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC).

They urged members to "scrupulously respect the integrity of the civilian population" and to allow vehicles belonging to the United Nations and to humanitarian groups to circulate freely.

UN peacekeepers deployed in response to the fresh attacks, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm and called on all sides to ensure credible elections and peace.

The 11,000-strong MINUSCA force warned Saturday it would "use all means at its disposal including planes to prevent violence."

Ex-president Bozize back

Bozize's KNK party denied the former leader wanted to carry out a putsch.

"We categorically deny that Bozize is at the origin of anything," party spokesman Christian Guenebem told AFP. "The government has always wanted to undermine the physical and political integrity of Bozize."

The government said Saturday that Bozize was near the city of Bossembele, about 150 kilometres (90 miles) northwest of Bangui and intended to march on the capital with his men.

"Why take up arms against your countrymen?" President Faustin-Archange Touadera asked at a rally in Bangui Saturday.

"The national election authority and Constitutional Court have guaranteed that the elections will be held as scheduled," he added.

Bozize, back after years in exile, has been barred from running in the election by the country's top court, as the CAR had sought him with an international arrest warrant on charges including murder, arbitrary arrest and torture.

The 74-year-old, who came to power in a coup in 2003 before himself being overthrown in 2013, said on Tuesday that he accepted the court's decision.

The CAR spiralled into conflict when Bozize, a Christian, was ousted as president by the Seleka, a rebel coalition drawn largely from the Muslim minority.

That coup triggered a bloodbath between the Seleka and so-called "anti-Balaka" self-defence forces, mainly Christian and animist.

France sent its army to intervene in its former colony and after a transitional period, elections were staged in 2016 and won by Touadera.

An opposition coalition in Central African Republic on Sunday called for postponement of elections a week before the vote, as the party of ex-president Francois Bozize denied claims that it was attempting to stage a coup.

An opposition coalition in Central African Republic on Sunday called for postponement of elections a week before the vote, as the party of ex-president Francois Bozize denied claims that it was attempting to stage a coup. The Coalition of the Democratic Opposition (COD-2020) made the call a day after the government said Bozize intended to march on the capital with his men, as a separate group of rebel forces seized control of key routes to Bangui. Newly consolidated rebel forces control a huge chunk of the country and their recent surprise announcement of unity has heightened tensions ahead of the December 27 presidential and legislative elections. The Central African Republic has been struggling with instability and inter-communal fighting since 2013. Violence has receded in intensity in the last two years, but rival militia groups hold sway over two-thirds of the country. The statement from the opposition coalition, which was until recently led by Bozize, "demanded the postponement of the December group elections until the re-establishment of peace and security". COD-2020 includes the main parties and movements opposed to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who is expected to win a second mandate in the election. On Saturday, leaders of the three main armed rebel groups occupying large areas of the Central African Republic announced a coalition, called the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC). They urged members to "scrupulously respect the integrity of the civilian population" and to allow vehicles belonging to the United Nations and to humanitarian groups to circulate freely. UN peacekeepers deployed in response to the fresh attacks, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm and called on all sides to ensure credible elections and peace. The 11,000-strong MINUSCA force warned Saturday it would "use all means at its disposal including planes to prevent violence." Ex-president Bozize back Bozize's KNK party denied the former leader wanted to carry out a putsch. "We categorically deny that Bozize is at the origin of anything," party spokesman Christian Guenebem told AFP. "The government has always wanted to undermine the physical and political integrity of Bozize." The government said Saturday that Bozize was near the city of Bossembele, about 150 kilometres (90 miles) northwest of Bangui and intended to march on the capital with his men. "Why take up arms against your countrymen?" President Faustin-Archange Touadera asked at a rally in Bangui Saturday. "The national election authority and Constitutional Court have guaranteed that the elections will be held as scheduled," he added. Bozize, back after years in exile, has been barred from running in the election by the country's top court, as the CAR had sought him with an international arrest warrant on charges including murder, arbitrary arrest and torture. The 74-year-old, who came to power in a coup in 2003 before himself being overthrown in 2013, said on Tuesday that he accepted the court's decision. The CAR spiralled into conflict when Bozize, a Christian, was ousted as president by the Seleka, a rebel coalition drawn largely from the Muslim minority. That coup triggered a bloodbath between the Seleka and so-called "anti-Balaka" self-defence forces, mainly Christian and animist. France sent its army to intervene in its former colony and after a transitional period, elections were staged in 2016 and won by Touadera.

C.Africa opposition coalition calls for delay to elections

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Congo Republic and Senegal are among those worst-hit this year,

Severe floods hit 760,000 people in West and Central Africa

For most of his life as a Samburu warrior, Lesaiton Lengoloni thought nothing of hunting giraffes, the graceful giants so common a feature of the Kenyan plains where he roamed.

For most of his life as a Samburu warrior, Lesaiton Lengoloni thought nothing of hunting giraffes, the graceful giants so common a feature of the Kenyan plains where he roamed. "There was no particular pride in killing a giraffe, not like a lion... (But) a single giraffe could feed the village for more than a week," the community elder told AFP, leaning on a walking stick and gazing out to the broad plateau of Laikipia. But fewer amble across his path these days: in Kenya, as across Africa, populations of the world's tallest mammals are quietly, yet sharply, in decline. Giraffe numbers across the continent fell 40 per cent between 1985 and 2015, to just under 100,000 animals, according to the best figures available to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). But unlike the clarion calls sounded over the catastrophic collapse of elephant, lion and rhino populations, less attention was paid to the giraffe's private crisis. "The giraffe is a big animal, and you can see it pretty easily in parks and reserves. This may have created a false impression that the species was doing well," said Julian Fennessy, co-chair of the IUCN's specialist group for giraffes and okapis. The rate of decline is much higher in central and eastern regions, with poaching, habitat destruction and conflict the main drivers blamed for thinning herds of these gentle creatures. In Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, reticulated giraffe numbers fell 60 per cent in the roughly three decades to 2018, the IUCN says. The Nubian giraffe meanwhile has suffered a tragic decline of 97 per cent, pushing this rarer variety toward total extinction. Further afield in Central Africa, the Kordofan giraffe, another of the multitude subspecies, has witnessed an 85 per cent decrease. In 2010, giraffes were a species of "least concern" on the IUCN red list. But six years later they leapt to "vulnerable", one step down from critical, catching many by surprise. "This is why for the giraffe we speak of the threat of a silent extinction," said Jenna Stacy-Dawes, research coordinator at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Mysterious giants Despite this, an international effort underway to put giraffes squarely on the global conservation agenda has divided professional opinion. Six African nations are pushing to regulate the international trade in giraffes under the UN Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which meets from August 17 to 28 in Geneva. Those advocating for the change, including Kenya, want the giraffe classified as "a species that, although not necessarily currently threatened with extinction, could become so if trade in their specimens were not closely controlled". Critics, however, say there is little evidence the international wildlife trade is responsible for dwindling giraffe numbers. A lack of reliable data has long hindered efforts to protect them. "Compared to other charismatic species like elephants, lions, and rhinos, we know very little about giraffes," said Symon Masiaine, a coordinator in the Twiga Walinzi giraffe study and protection programme, which began in Kenya in 2016. "Nowadays, we are still far behind, but we are making progress." Almost nothing is reliably known about giraffe populations in Somalia, South Sudan and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where collecting such information is perilously difficult. But even research outside conflict zones has been patchy. Arthur Muneza, from the Giraffe Preservation Foundation, said the first long-term study of giraffes was not carried out until 2004. Data on giraffes are often gathered as an afterthought by researchers focussing on other wildlife, he added. "Without reliable data, it is more difficult to take appropriate conservation measures," Muneza said. It was not until 2018 that the IUCN had enough statistics to be able to differentiate the threat levels facing many giraffe subspecies. The reticulated and Masai giraffes, for example, were classified as "endangered" while the Nubian and Kordofan were "critically endangered". Trophy hunting Under the proposal before CITES, the legal trade in giraffe parts, including those obtained by trophy hunters on Africa's legal game reserves, would be globally regulated. Member countries would be required to record the export of giraffe parts or artifacts, something only the United States currently does, and permits would be required for their trade. But observers say the limited information available suggests most of this trade originates from places where giraffe numbers are rebounding, like South Africa and Namibia, where game hunting is legal. Muneza says there isn't a clear enough picture that the legal trade is linked to declining giraffe numbers. "The first step should be to conduct a study to find out the extent of international trade and its influence on giraffe populations," he said. Those supporting the proposal before Geneva talk of a "precautionary principle" doing something now before it is too late. For Masiaine, the Kenyan giraffe researcher, any publicity is good publicity for these poorly-understood long-necked herbivores. "It means that people are talking about the giraffe," he said. "And the species needs that."

Gentle giraffes threatened with 'silent extinction'

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued to battle the ongoing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-end-of-ebola-outbreak-difficult-to-predict-194843">Ebola outbreak</a> Wednesday after the health ministry announced the virus had caused 565 deaths, in what experts called the worst epidemic in the central African nation's history.

According to the most recent figures published by the health ministry on Tuesday, 500 of the people who died were confirmed cases of the virus.

A total of 900 cases have been registered, 835 of which are confirmed and 65 are probable cases of Ebola.

DRC's health minister, Oly Ilunga Kalenga, on Tuesday held a press conference in the capital and assured people the situation was relatively under control, hoping the epidemic in the towns of Beni, Mandima, and Kalunguta would come to an end within the upcoming weeks.

This Ebola outbreak emerged shortly after DR Congo's government declared an end to another outbreak of the disease in the west of the country in June last year and was first reported on August 1 in the conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) had suspended its activities in two Ebola treatment centres at the end of February after armed assailants had attacked an Ebola treatment centre in northeastern DRC.

The attack in the city of Butembo was the second in just over a week as armed men set another treatment centre ablaze in Katwa town, leaving two Ebola patients dead.

“In light of these two violent incidents, we have no choice but to suspend our activities until further notice. As medical responders, it is very painful to have to leave behind patients, their families and other members of the community at such a critical time in the Ebola response,” MSF emergency desk manager, Hugues Robert, said.

On November 30, the World Health Organization confirmed that the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the second-worst in history after the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic which resulted in 28,600 cases and 11,325 deaths.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals and is widely feared for its mortality rate of up to 90 per cent and for causing heavy internal and external bleeding.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued to battle the ongoing Ebola outbreak Wednesday after the health ministry announced the virus had caused 565 deaths, in what experts called the worst epidemic in the central African nation's history.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued to battle the ongoing Ebola outbreak Wednesday after the health ministry announced the virus had caused 565 deaths, in what experts called the worst epidemic in the central African nation's history. According to the most recent figures published by the health ministry on Tuesday, 500 of the people who died were confirmed cases of the virus. A total of 900 cases have been registered, 835 of which are confirmed and 65 are probable cases of Ebola. DRC's health minister, Oly Ilunga Kalenga, on Tuesday held a press conference in the capital and assured people the situation was relatively under control, hoping the epidemic in the towns of Beni, Mandima, and Kalunguta would come to an end within the upcoming weeks. This Ebola outbreak emerged shortly after DR Congo's government declared an end to another outbreak of the disease in the west of the country in June last year and was first reported on August 1 in the conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) had suspended its activities in two Ebola treatment centres at the end of February after armed assailants had attacked an Ebola treatment centre in northeastern DRC. The attack in the city of Butembo was the second in just over a week as armed men set another treatment centre ablaze in Katwa town, leaving two Ebola patients dead. “In light of these two violent incidents, we have no choice but to suspend our activities until further notice. As medical responders, it is very painful to have to leave behind patients, their families and other members of the community at such a critical time in the Ebola response,” MSF emergency desk manager, Hugues Robert, said. On November 30, the World Health Organization confirmed that the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the second-worst in history after the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic which resulted in 28,600 cases and 11,325 deaths. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals and is widely feared for its mortality rate of up to 90 per cent and for causing heavy internal and external bleeding.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak death toll rises to 565

A war crimes suspect wanted for alleged murder, deportation and torture of Muslims in the Central African Republic has been handed over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the tribunal said.

CAR officials transferred Alfred Yekatom on Saturday to officials from the global court, which is looking in more than six years of violence that has destabilised a fragile region at the heart of the continent.

Yekatom, a sitting MP once nicknamed "Rambo", was flown out of the country and arrived in the court`s detention centre in the Hague in the early hours of Sunday, officials there said.

There was no immediate comment from Yekatom or any lawyers representing him.&nbsp;

A UN commission of inquiry found that Christian militias under Yekatom had carried out war crimes and crimes against humanity by targeting Muslims.

The International Criminal Court - set up to prosecute the worst crimes when member countries can not or will not do so - issued a sealed arrest warrant for Yekatom on November 11.

"We allege Mr. Yekatom is criminally responsible for several counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the Central African Republic between 5 December 2013 and August 2014," International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said.&nbsp;

"Now, he must answer in court for his actions."

Warrants, charges

Bensouda is carrying out two separate investigations into conflicts in the Central African Republic. Yekatom`s arrest is the first in the more recent conflict.

A pre-trial chamber found reason to suspect Yekatom of commanding around 3,000 members of an armed group operating within the Anti-Balaka movement, which was carrying out systematic attacks against the Muslim population.&nbsp;

Among the charges in the warrant are murder, cruel treatment, deportation, imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, and the recruitment of child soldiers under the age of 15.

The former French colony, one of Africa’s poorest countries despite reserves of gold and diamonds, was plunged into chaos when mostly Muslim Seleka rebels started attacking towns and grabbing territory before seizing power in March 2013.

Seleka’s rule prompted a backlash from Christian militia known as anti-balaka. Under international pressure Seleka handed power to a transitional government but the move effectively partitioned the country and bloody clashes continue.

No date has been set yet for Yekatom`s initial appearance, but he must be brought before a judge within several days under court rules.

A war crimes suspect wanted for alleged murder, deportation and torture of Muslims in the Central African Republic has been handed over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the tribunal said.

A war crimes suspect wanted for alleged murder, deportation and torture of Muslims in the Central African Republic has been handed over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the tribunal said. CAR officials transferred Alfred Yekatom on Saturday to officials from the global court, which is looking in more than six years of violence that has destabilised a fragile region at the heart of the continent. Yekatom, a sitting MP once nicknamed "Rambo", was flown out of the country and arrived in the court`s detention centre in the Hague in the early hours of Sunday, officials there said. There was no immediate comment from Yekatom or any lawyers representing him. A UN commission of inquiry found that Christian militias under Yekatom had carried out war crimes and crimes against humanity by targeting Muslims. The International Criminal Court - set up to prosecute the worst crimes when member countries can not or will not do so - issued a sealed arrest warrant for Yekatom on November 11. "We allege Mr. Yekatom is criminally responsible for several counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the Central African Republic between 5 December 2013 and August 2014," International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said. "Now, he must answer in court for his actions." Warrants, charges Bensouda is carrying out two separate investigations into conflicts in the Central African Republic. Yekatom`s arrest is the first in the more recent conflict. A pre-trial chamber found reason to suspect Yekatom of commanding around 3,000 members of an armed group operating within the Anti-Balaka movement, which was carrying out systematic attacks against the Muslim population. Among the charges in the warrant are murder, cruel treatment, deportation, imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, and the recruitment of child soldiers under the age of 15. The former French colony, one of Africa’s poorest countries despite reserves of gold and diamonds, was plunged into chaos when mostly Muslim Seleka rebels started attacking towns and grabbing territory before seizing power in March 2013. Seleka’s rule prompted a backlash from Christian militia known as anti-balaka. Under international pressure Seleka handed power to a transitional government but the move effectively partitioned the country and bloody clashes continue. No date has been set yet for Yekatom`s initial appearance, but he must be brought before a judge within several days under court rules.

Central African war crimes suspect 'Rambo' handed to global court

A peacekeeper died after an attack on a UN base in the volatile Central African Republic (CAR) and a priest was burnt to death, the UN and Catholic Church said Saturday after sectarian clashes claimed nearly 40 lives.

The soldier died in hospital late Friday of injuries sustained in the raid on a military base in Gbambia in the country's west, the UN mission MINUSCA said.&nbsp;

The attack, which started at about 2000 GMT, lasted for some 45 minutes and sent residents fleeing into the bush, the UN said.

An armed group called Siriri, created this year by Fulani cattle herders, operates in the area. Led by a man named Ardo Abba, its purported aim is to thwart attacks by cattle rustlers.

The UN said the group had attacked Gbambia in mid-June. A Tanzanian UN peacekeeper died the same month after Siriri staged an ambush in the region. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the charred body of a priest has been recovered in the central town of Alindao, where sectarian clashes have claimed at least 37 lives this week, the Catholic Church said Saturday.

"We found his charred body," Father Mathieu Bondobo, the vicar-general of the main cathedral in the capital Bangui told AFP.

The UN on Friday said 37 deaths were confirmed in Alindao -- including another priest -- while some 20,000 people were affected by the violence. "Thousands" were forced to flee.

The bloodbath began on Thursday when Christian militiamen killed Muslims, prompting revenge attacks.&nbsp;

A church was burnt.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alindao is&nbsp;a stronghold of the Union for Peace in CAR (UPC) Muslim&nbsp;militia. It has witnessed chronic fighting in recent months that has also killed two UN soldiers and a humanitarian aid worker.

"This vicious cycle of repeated attacks against civilians is unacceptable. Civilians want security, peace and a future," said Najat Rochdi, UN humanitarian coordinator in the CAR.

One of the world's poorest nations despite a rich supply of diamonds and uranium, the CAR has struggled to recover from a 2013 civil war that erupted when President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

In response, Christians, who account for about 80 percent of the population, organised vigilante units dubbed "anti-balaka".

Alindao lies on a critical route traversing the south and east of the country and is in the heart of a region with numerous gold and diamond mines that have helped fuel the conflict.&nbsp;

In September, the UN warned of a "disastrous" humanitarian situation in the region, which it said was under the control of armed groups.&nbsp;

The government controls only a small part of CAR's national territory. Armed groups clash in the provinces for control of resources, including diamonds, gold and livestock.

The UN has about 12,500 personnel deployed in Central Africa as part of its MINUSCA mission, one of the world body's largest peacekeeping forces.

The UN Security Council voted Thursday to temporarily renew the mandate of the mission until December, amid heated debates about its ability to stem the unrest.&nbsp;

A peacekeeper died after an attack on a UN base in the volatile Central African Republic (CAR) and a priest was burnt to death, the UN and Catholic Church said Saturday after sectarian clashes claimed nearly 40 lives.

A peacekeeper died after an attack on a UN base in the volatile Central African Republic (CAR) and a priest was burnt to death, the UN and Catholic Church said Saturday after sectarian clashes claimed nearly 40 lives. The soldier died in hospital late Friday of injuries sustained in the raid on a military base in Gbambia in the country's west, the UN mission MINUSCA said. The attack, which started at about 2000 GMT, lasted for some 45 minutes and sent residents fleeing into the bush, the UN said. An armed group called Siriri, created this year by Fulani cattle herders, operates in the area. Led by a man named Ardo Abba, its purported aim is to thwart attacks by cattle rustlers. The UN said the group had attacked Gbambia in mid-June. A Tanzanian UN peacekeeper died the same month after Siriri staged an ambush in the region. Meanwhile, the charred body of a priest has been recovered in the central town of Alindao, where sectarian clashes have claimed at least 37 lives this week, the Catholic Church said Saturday. "We found his charred body," Father Mathieu Bondobo, the vicar-general of the main cathedral in the capital Bangui told AFP. The UN on Friday said 37 deaths were confirmed in Alindao -- including another priest -- while some 20,000 people were affected by the violence. "Thousands" were forced to flee. The bloodbath began on Thursday when Christian militiamen killed Muslims, prompting revenge attacks. A church was burnt. Alindao is a stronghold of the Union for Peace in CAR (UPC) Muslim militia. It has witnessed chronic fighting in recent months that has also killed two UN soldiers and a humanitarian aid worker. "This vicious cycle of repeated attacks against civilians is unacceptable. Civilians want security, peace and a future," said Najat Rochdi, UN humanitarian coordinator in the CAR. One of the world's poorest nations despite a rich supply of diamonds and uranium, the CAR has struggled to recover from a 2013 civil war that erupted when President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels. In response, Christians, who account for about 80 percent of the population, organised vigilante units dubbed "anti-balaka". Alindao lies on a critical route traversing the south and east of the country and is in the heart of a region with numerous gold and diamond mines that have helped fuel the conflict. In September, the UN warned of a "disastrous" humanitarian situation in the region, which it said was under the control of armed groups. The government controls only a small part of CAR's national territory. Armed groups clash in the provinces for control of resources, including diamonds, gold and livestock. The UN has about 12,500 personnel deployed in Central Africa as part of its MINUSCA mission, one of the world body's largest peacekeeping forces. The UN Security Council voted Thursday to temporarily renew the mandate of the mission until December, amid heated debates about its ability to stem the unrest.

Peacekeeper killed in restive Central Africa's west: UN

Sudan&#39;s Janjaweed, Uganda&#39;s Lord&#39;s Resistance Army and other notorious militias are wreaking havoc on wildlife in central&nbsp;Africa, poaching and trafficking elephants, hippopotamuses, buffaloes and other animals, a monitor said Friday.

The threat comes from &quot;highly organised armed groups who are linked to human rights violations and ongoing political instability&quot; as well as state actors, armed pastoralists and&nbsp;poachers, Traffic said in a report.

Joseph Kony, a self-styled mystic and prophet who launched a bloody rebellion three decades ago, &quot;tasked a group of LRA fighters with obtaining 100 tusks... over the course of nine months&quot; from the Garamba natural reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Traffic said.

The report also tracked poaching in Bili in DRC and the Chinko reserve in the Central African Republic. The research covered nearly 90 villages in the region.

&quot;This region is perhaps the most remote and underdeveloped on the continent,&quot; said Liz Williamson, one of the authors of the report.

&quot;The lack of governance and enforcement has rendered local communities and wildlife an easy target for exploitation by armed groups, while illegal wildlife trade fuels continued instability across the landscape.&quot;

Exacerbating the problem was endemic corruption in a region mired in poverty, but things were improving in DR Congo where poaching by government soldiers has been declining in the past few years due to &quot;stronger collaboration with park enforcement authorities,&quot; it said.

The pastoralist threat

But animals are also under threat from pastoralists like the Fulani, who are spread over a swathe of western and central&nbsp;Africa, and the Mbororo, a Fulani sub-group which kill Giant Eland -- a Savannah antelope -- and buffaloes &quot;to sell as bushmeat and to poison predators.

&quot;Fulani have also been reported as trafficking wildlife products such as ivory and leopard skins across borders, primarily to South Sudan and Uganda,&quot; Traffic said.

And there were armed &quot;poachers&nbsp;targeting large mammals, including bongo, buffalo, elephant and hippopotamus in the protected areas&quot; selling their meat to individuals and restaurants and transporting high-value products such as ivory, skins and other trophies further afield.

&quot;Hunting serves as an income-generator for people living around protected areas and about 20 percent of men in northeast DRC reported that they engage in small-scale poaching,&quot; it said.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has previously found that&nbsp;Africa&#39;s elephant numbers fell by 111,000 between 2006 and 2015.&nbsp;

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species said the elephant population in southern&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;and much of East&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;is now either stable or increasing but illegal killings remain high across the continent.&nbsp;

Sudan's Janjaweed, Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army and other notorious militias are wreaking havoc on wildlife in central?Africa, poaching and trafficking elephants, hippopotamuses, buffaloes and other animals, a monitor said Friday

Sudan's Janjaweed, Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army and other notorious militias are wreaking havoc on wildlife in central Africa, poaching and trafficking elephants, hippopotamuses, buffaloes and other animals, a monitor said Friday. The threat comes from "highly organised armed groups who are linked to human rights violations and ongoing political instability" as well as state actors, armed pastoralists and poachers, Traffic said in a report. Joseph Kony, a self-styled mystic and prophet who launched a bloody rebellion three decades ago, "tasked a group of LRA fighters with obtaining 100 tusks... over the course of nine months" from the Garamba natural reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Traffic said. The report also tracked poaching in Bili in DRC and the Chinko reserve in the Central African Republic. The research covered nearly 90 villages in the region. "This region is perhaps the most remote and underdeveloped on the continent," said Liz Williamson, one of the authors of the report. "The lack of governance and enforcement has rendered local communities and wildlife an easy target for exploitation by armed groups, while illegal wildlife trade fuels continued instability across the landscape." Exacerbating the problem was endemic corruption in a region mired in poverty, but things were improving in DR Congo where poaching by government soldiers has been declining in the past few years due to "stronger collaboration with park enforcement authorities," it said. The pastoralist threat But animals are also under threat from pastoralists like the Fulani, who are spread over a swathe of western and central Africa, and the Mbororo, a Fulani sub-group which kill Giant Eland -- a Savannah antelope -- and buffaloes "to sell as bushmeat and to poison predators. "Fulani have also been reported as trafficking wildlife products such as ivory and leopard skins across borders, primarily to South Sudan and Uganda," Traffic said. And there were armed "poachers targeting large mammals, including bongo, buffalo, elephant and hippopotamus in the protected areas" selling their meat to individuals and restaurants and transporting high-value products such as ivory, skins and other trophies further afield. "Hunting serves as an income-generator for people living around protected areas and about 20 percent of men in northeast DRC reported that they engage in small-scale poaching," it said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has previously found that Africa's elephant numbers fell by 111,000 between 2006 and 2015. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species said the elephant population in southern Africa and much of East Africa is now either stable or increasing but illegal killings remain high across the continent.

Militias, poachers have wreaked havoc on central Africa's wildlife: Monitor

At least 18 people were killed in a collision between a minibus a lorry in western Gabon on Saturday, the government said in a statement. 
 
Pictures said to be from the crash scene, shared on social media, showed bloody and dismembered bodies. 
 
The accident happened near the town of Kango, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Libreville, along a stretch of the country&#39;s main highway. 
 
&quot;The tragic provisional toll is 18 dead,&quot; transport minister Ernest Mpouho Epigat said, adding that bodies of the victims had been taken to the capital. 
 
The cause of the collision was unknown and an inquiry has been opened, the government statement said. 
 
Road accidents are frequent in Gabon, a Central African nation of 1.8 million inhabitants. 
 
The government urged road users &quot;to observe the elementary tules of road safety,&quot; especially during the current busy holiday season, 
 
The National 1 highway, where Saturday&#39;s accident happened, links Libreville with the interior of the country and is often heavily congested. 
 
(AFP)

The accident happened on National Highway 1, which links the capital with the interior of the country and is often heavily congested

At least 18 people were killed in a collision between a minibus a lorry in western Gabon on Saturday, the government said in a statement. Pictures said to be from the crash scene, shared on social media, showed bloody and dismembered bodies. The accident happened near the town of Kango, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Libreville, along a stretch of the country's main highway. "The tragic provisional toll is 18 dead," transport minister Ernest Mpouho Epigat said, adding that bodies of the victims had been taken to the capital. The cause of the collision was unknown and an inquiry has been opened, the government statement said. Road accidents are frequent in Gabon, a Central African nation of 1.8 million inhabitants. The government urged road users "to observe the elementary tules of road safety," especially during the current busy holiday season, The National 1 highway, where Saturday's accident happened, links Libreville with the interior of the country and is often heavily congested. (AFP)

18 killed as minibus collides with lorry in Gabon

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