In Sudan, the government declared an economic state of emergency to curb the country's skyrocketing inflation and rapid depreciation of the Sudanese pound.

Sudan addresses economic crises, annual inflation rate jumped to 167%

Switzerland and Germany being a part of Europe averted the infection rate of COVID-19 and considered as the most safest countries, where as South Sudan and countries on Equator are endangered with this disease.

These are the most safest and dangerous countries for COVID-19

Former rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as South Sudan's first vice president on Saturday after he agreed to form a unity government with his long-time rival President Salva Kiir, a move that could end years of fighting in the country.

Kiir expressed optimism for the future at the swearing-in ceremony, even as analysts warned that the country still faces huge challenges achieving a durable peace and rights groups called for steps to improve human rights.

Kiir and Machar had repeatedly pushed back deadlines to form a government of national unity, a core component of a peace accord signed in 2018. The civil war killed 400,000 people and triggered Africa's biggest refugee crisis since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Dressed in a black suit with a red tie, Machar stood next to his wife Angelina Teny and took the oath of office in front of Kiir. Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut administered the oath.

Afterwards, Machar shook Kiir's hand, smiled and hugged his old adversary, officially becoming part of the new government.

"I want to assure you (the people of South Sudan) that we will work collectively to end your long-suffering," Machar said.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but descended into fighting two years later when forces loyal to Kiir and Machar clashed in the capital.

"This action signifies the end to the war," Kiir told the gathering of dignitaries and journalists. "Peace has come and it has come to stay."

"My brother Dr. Machar and I are now partners in the peace agreement."

Kiir met with Machar at State House in Juba on Thursday, saying afterward that a government will be formed and they will resolve outstanding issues, such as the unification of the army, in the coming days. Kiir named Machar as his first vice president on Friday.

Three other vice presidents were also sworn in at Saturday's ceremony.

"The time for war is finished, now is time for peace and development," said Arkanjelo Tout, a resident in Juba, said on Friday. "I am expecting the new government to put the interest of its people first."

'Enormous challenges remain

The formation of the government was a significant step and grounds for optimism, Peter Martell, who has written a history of South Sudan, told Reuters.

"But creating peace is more than just about forming a government. The country has been wrecked by civil war, enormous challenges still remain," he said.

The unification of the army will be important, as well as reining in other militia groups outside the deal, Martell added.

The country is almost entirely dependent on oil for revenues, and a binding peace agreement could unlock its reserves. Output currently stands at 180,000 barrels per day down from a peak of 250,000 bpd before the outbreak of the conflict in 2013.

Resolving issues such as the return of refugees and economic reforms are critical to lasting peace, said James Okuk, a senior researcher at the Juba-based Center for Strategic and Policy Studies.

"Every citizen is expecting that this should be a serious government."

Jehanne Henry, associate Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that the new government should quickly set out a human rights agenda that includes "reforming the abusive national security service, freeing abducted civilians held by armed groups, and establishing a hybrid war crimes court in partnership with the African Union".

A United Nations report released on Thursday called the peace extremely fragile.

There is rampant corruption, militias are being armed and civilians deliberately starved, the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said in its report. More than half of the population of 12 million face food shortages, it said.

Kiir called on those who are not part of the peace accord to join in what he called "the way to reconciliation."

"I want no more bloodshed in South Sudan."

Former rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as South Sudan's first vice president on Saturday after he agreed to form a unity government with his long-time rival President Salva Kiir, a move that could end years of fighting in the country.

Former rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as South Sudan's first vice president on Saturday after he agreed to form a unity government with his long-time rival President Salva Kiir, a move that could end years of fighting in the country. Kiir expressed optimism for the future at the swearing-in ceremony, even as analysts warned that the country still faces huge challenges achieving a durable peace and rights groups called for steps to improve human rights. Kiir and Machar had repeatedly pushed back deadlines to form a government of national unity, a core component of a peace accord signed in 2018. The civil war killed 400,000 people and triggered Africa's biggest refugee crisis since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Dressed in a black suit with a red tie, Machar stood next to his wife Angelina Teny and took the oath of office in front of Kiir. Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut administered the oath. Afterwards, Machar shook Kiir's hand, smiled and hugged his old adversary, officially becoming part of the new government. "I want to assure you (the people of South Sudan) that we will work collectively to end your long-suffering," Machar said. South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but descended into fighting two years later when forces loyal to Kiir and Machar clashed in the capital. "This action signifies the end to the war," Kiir told the gathering of dignitaries and journalists. "Peace has come and it has come to stay." "My brother Dr. Machar and I are now partners in the peace agreement." Kiir met with Machar at State House in Juba on Thursday, saying afterward that a government will be formed and they will resolve outstanding issues, such as the unification of the army, in the coming days. Kiir named Machar as his first vice president on Friday. Three other vice presidents were also sworn in at Saturday's ceremony. "The time for war is finished, now is time for peace and development," said Arkanjelo Tout, a resident in Juba, said on Friday. "I am expecting the new government to put the interest of its people first." 'Enormous challenges remain The formation of the government was a significant step and grounds for optimism, Peter Martell, who has written a history of South Sudan, told Reuters. "But creating peace is more than just about forming a government. The country has been wrecked by civil war, enormous challenges still remain," he said. The unification of the army will be important, as well as reining in other militia groups outside the deal, Martell added. The country is almost entirely dependent on oil for revenues, and a binding peace agreement could unlock its reserves. Output currently stands at 180,000 barrels per day down from a peak of 250,000 bpd before the outbreak of the conflict in 2013. Resolving issues such as the return of refugees and economic reforms are critical to lasting peace, said James Okuk, a senior researcher at the Juba-based Center for Strategic and Policy Studies. "Every citizen is expecting that this should be a serious government." Jehanne Henry, associate Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that the new government should quickly set out a human rights agenda that includes "reforming the abusive national security service, freeing abducted civilians held by armed groups, and establishing a hybrid war crimes court in partnership with the African Union". A United Nations report released on Thursday called the peace extremely fragile. There is rampant corruption, militias are being armed and civilians deliberately starved, the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said in its report. More than half of the population of 12 million face food shortages, it said. Kiir called on those who are not part of the peace accord to join in what he called "the way to reconciliation." "I want no more bloodshed in South Sudan."

Now to end 'long suffering': South Sudan's former rebel leader sworn in as first vice president

South Sudan's government forces and other armed groups have "deliberately starved" civilians by denying aid access and displacing communities, a United Nations rights probe said Thursday.

In a report issued two days before a deadline to form a unity government, the three-member commission looked into abuses from the signing of a peace deal in September 2018 to December 2019.

The panel delivered a damning indictment of "predatory and unaccountable elites" and the suffering of civilians after six years of conflict.

"Today in South Sudan, civilians are deliberately starved, systematically surveilled and silenced, arbitrarily arrested and detained and denied meaningful access to justice," it said.

As President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar met in Juba to discuss outstanding obstacles to the power-sharing government, the report slammed the process as beset with delays and bickering, and "lack of political will".

"Political elites remained oblivious to the intense suffering of millions of civilians for whom they were ostensibly fighting," it said.

Ongoing recruitment of child soldiers by both government forces and rebel groups, bloody localised conflicts which left hundreds dead, sexual violence and theft of public funds continued unhindered by the latest peace process, the commissioners found.

"The Commission notes with grave concern that beyond climate-induced factors, both government forces and armed groups have pursued policies responsible for the starvation of the population in Wau and Unity State" in the north of the country.

"The denial of humanitarian access and displacement brought about by unlawful tactics have significantly exacerbated famine in different parts of the country, depriving hundreds of thousands of civilians of vital needs, including access to food."

During the period reviewed by the commission, some 6.35 million people -- 54 per cent of the population -- were facing severe hunger.

Major challenges

South Sudan's conflict broke out in December 2013 after a dispute between Kiir and his former deputy and longtime rival Machar.

The fighting has left some 380,000 dead and forced four million to flee their homes.&nbsp;

The September 2018 peace deal is the latest effort to end the conflict and push the two men to govern together -- an experiment which has twice previously ended in disaster.

Sticky issues of state borders and security arrangements remain with just two days to the deadline, which has already been pushed back twice.

However, even if the unity government is formed, the UN report highlights the massive challenges facing the country -- which only achieved independence in 2011 -- going forward.

Across the country, local ethnic conflicts far removed from the national peace process left 531 dead between February and May 2019 alone, and fighting continues today against holdout rebel groups in the Equatoria region, the report said.

Meanwhile, graft has robbed the state of precious resources.

"Corruption has made several officials extremely wealthy at the expense of millions of starving civilians," said the report, which found millions of dollars in tax collections had been diverted and disappeared.&nbsp;

Both the government and armed groups continued to recruit children during the period reviewed, with 19,000 children believed to be enlisted.

Additionally, some 2.2 million children did not attend school and 30 per cent of schools remain closed.

South Sudan's government forces and other armed groups have "deliberately starved" civilians by denying aid access and displacing communities, a United Nations rights probe said Thursday.

South Sudan's government forces and other armed groups have "deliberately starved" civilians by denying aid access and displacing communities, a United Nations rights probe said Thursday. In a report issued two days before a deadline to form a unity government, the three-member commission looked into abuses from the signing of a peace deal in September 2018 to December 2019. The panel delivered a damning indictment of "predatory and unaccountable elites" and the suffering of civilians after six years of conflict. "Today in South Sudan, civilians are deliberately starved, systematically surveilled and silenced, arbitrarily arrested and detained and denied meaningful access to justice," it said. As President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar met in Juba to discuss outstanding obstacles to the power-sharing government, the report slammed the process as beset with delays and bickering, and "lack of political will". "Political elites remained oblivious to the intense suffering of millions of civilians for whom they were ostensibly fighting," it said. Ongoing recruitment of child soldiers by both government forces and rebel groups, bloody localised conflicts which left hundreds dead, sexual violence and theft of public funds continued unhindered by the latest peace process, the commissioners found. "The Commission notes with grave concern that beyond climate-induced factors, both government forces and armed groups have pursued policies responsible for the starvation of the population in Wau and Unity State" in the north of the country. "The denial of humanitarian access and displacement brought about by unlawful tactics have significantly exacerbated famine in different parts of the country, depriving hundreds of thousands of civilians of vital needs, including access to food." During the period reviewed by the commission, some 6.35 million people -- 54 per cent of the population -- were facing severe hunger. Major challenges South Sudan's conflict broke out in December 2013 after a dispute between Kiir and his former deputy and longtime rival Machar. The fighting has left some 380,000 dead and forced four million to flee their homes. The September 2018 peace deal is the latest effort to end the conflict and push the two men to govern together -- an experiment which has twice previously ended in disaster. Sticky issues of state borders and security arrangements remain with just two days to the deadline, which has already been pushed back twice. However, even if the unity government is formed, the UN report highlights the massive challenges facing the country -- which only achieved independence in 2011 -- going forward. Across the country, local ethnic conflicts far removed from the national peace process left 531 dead between February and May 2019 alone, and fighting continues today against holdout rebel groups in the Equatoria region, the report said. Meanwhile, graft has robbed the state of precious resources. "Corruption has made several officials extremely wealthy at the expense of millions of starving civilians," said the report, which found millions of dollars in tax collections had been diverted and disappeared. Both the government and armed groups continued to recruit children during the period reviewed, with 19,000 children believed to be enlisted. Additionally, some 2.2 million children did not attend school and 30 per cent of schools remain closed.

South Sudan citizens 'deliberately starved' by warring parties: UN

Heads of state and government officials from across Africa have gathered in Ethiopia's capital for talks primarily focused on ways to end to regional violence, including the conflicts in South Sudan and Libya. The 33rd African Union (AU) summit, which opened on Sunday in Addis Ababa, is being held under the theme "Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa's development".

WION Dispatch: AU leaders seek end to regional conflicts at 33rd African Union

At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said.

Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, while there have long been tensions between the South Sudanese Ngok Dinka community and the Misseriya herders who traverse the area looking for grazing.

Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of the Abyei area, told AFP that heavily armed Misseriya and allied militia attacked the village of Kolom early on Wednesday.

"Thirty-two people were killed among them children and women, and secondly about 24 people are wounded ... and about 15 people including children were abducted and 20 houses burned," Kuol said.

He said the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital in the town of Agok which is run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).&nbsp;

In 2011, the UN Security Council deployed a peacekeeping force to the area after deadly clashes displaced some 100,000 people.

The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) is made up entirely of Ethiopian troops, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground.

UNISFA could not be immediately reached for comment on the attack.

The UN Security Council in 2018 warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border "continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace," and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said.

At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said. Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, while there have long been tensions between the South Sudanese Ngok Dinka community and the Misseriya herders who traverse the area looking for grazing. Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of the Abyei area, told AFP that heavily armed Misseriya and allied militia attacked the village of Kolom early on Wednesday. "Thirty-two people were killed among them children and women, and secondly about 24 people are wounded ... and about 15 people including children were abducted and 20 houses burned," Kuol said. He said the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital in the town of Agok which is run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). In 2011, the UN Security Council deployed a peacekeeping force to the area after deadly clashes displaced some 100,000 people. The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) is made up entirely of Ethiopian troops, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground. UNISFA could not be immediately reached for comment on the attack. The UN Security Council in 2018 warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border "continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace," and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

32 killed in attack in disputed South Sudan border region: Official

An international aid organisation said Monday that a group of armed men had stormed their compound in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-to-re-evaluate-relationship-with-south-sudan-calls-back-ambassador-264515">northeastern South Sudan</a>, assaulting and injuring five staff members.

Relief International said the attack took place on Sunday in a field office in Upper Nile State.

"Multiple gunmen, armed with assault rifles, pistols and knives, invaded a staff compound. During this assault, five of our staff were assaulted and sustained injuries," the agency said in a statement.

"We have relocated our team to safety, and they are receiving all necessary care," said Nancy Wilson, Relief International Chief Executive Officer

"They endured a senseless act of violence in the course of their assignment providing life-saving care to the refugee community in Upper Nile State, South Sudan."

Humanitarian workers have been repeatedly targeted with at least 115 killed since the country plunged into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against him.

The unrest has left nearly 400,000 dead and displaced millions.

A peace deal was signed in September last year and a ceasefire has largely held but efforts to form a power-sharing government have been repeatedly delayed.

An international aid organisation said Monday that a group of armed men had stormed their compound in northeastern South Sudan, assaulting and injuring five staff members.

An international aid organisation said Monday that a group of armed men had stormed their compound in northeastern South Sudan, assaulting and injuring five staff members. Relief International said the attack took place on Sunday in a field office in Upper Nile State. "Multiple gunmen, armed with assault rifles, pistols and knives, invaded a staff compound. During this assault, five of our staff were assaulted and sustained injuries," the agency said in a statement. "We have relocated our team to safety, and they are receiving all necessary care," said Nancy Wilson, Relief International Chief Executive Officer "They endured a senseless act of violence in the course of their assignment providing life-saving care to the refugee community in Upper Nile State, South Sudan." Humanitarian workers have been repeatedly targeted with at least 115 killed since the country plunged into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against him. The unrest has left nearly 400,000 dead and displaced millions. A peace deal was signed in September last year and a ceasefire has largely held but efforts to form a power-sharing government have been repeatedly delayed.

Armed men stormed South Sudan compound: Aid organisation

The United States, a key <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-sudan-rival-leaders-given-100-days-to-form-unity-government-260740">supporter of South Sudan</a>, said it was calling back its ambassador for consultations as it shows frustration with duelling leaders' failure to form a government.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter that he called back the ambassador "as we re-evaluate our relationship with the government of South Sudan."

"Called back our Ambassador to South Sudan for consultations as we re-evaluate our relationship with the government of South Sudan. We will work with the region to support efforts to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan," he said.

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Called back our Ambassador to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SouthSudan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SouthSudan</a> for consultations as we re-evaluate our relationship with the Government of South Sudan. We will work with the region to support efforts to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1198981520180072448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The United States, which contributes about $1 billion a year in mostly humanitarian aid for the young country, has been especially vocal in its exasperation over the lack of progress in South Sudan.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar fell out in 2013 -- &nbsp;two years after the largely Christian nation won independence from Sudan with strong US support -- sparking a conflict that has left hundreds of thousands dead.

The two leaders missed a November 12 deadline to form a unity government. African mediators gave them another 100 days, the second extension.

The US ambassador in Juba, Thomas Hushek, will hold talks in Washington on the re-evaluation of the relationship, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

Tibor Nagy, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said earlier this month that he believed Kiir and Machar had grown content with the status quo.

"The international community is providing the food, the medicines, basically all of the human needs that are the responsibilities of governments to do. They're basically sitting back," he said.

The United States, a key supporter of South Sudan, said it was calling back its ambassador for consultations as it shows frustration with duelling leaders' failure to form a government.

The United States, a key supporter of South Sudan, said it was calling back its ambassador for consultations as it shows frustration with duelling leaders' failure to form a government. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter that he called back the ambassador "as we re-evaluate our relationship with the government of South Sudan." "Called back our Ambassador to South Sudan for consultations as we re-evaluate our relationship with the government of South Sudan. We will work with the region to support efforts to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan," he said. Called back our Ambassador to #SouthSudan for consultations as we re-evaluate our relationship with the Government of South Sudan. We will work with the region to support efforts to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 25, 2019 × The United States, which contributes about $1 billion a year in mostly humanitarian aid for the young country, has been especially vocal in its exasperation over the lack of progress in South Sudan. South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar fell out in 2013 -- two years after the largely Christian nation won independence from Sudan with strong US support -- sparking a conflict that has left hundreds of thousands dead. The two leaders missed a November 12 deadline to form a unity government. African mediators gave them another 100 days, the second extension. The US ambassador in Juba, Thomas Hushek, will hold talks in Washington on the re-evaluation of the relationship, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. Tibor Nagy, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said earlier this month that he believed Kiir and Machar had grown content with the status quo. "The international community is providing the food, the medicines, basically all of the human needs that are the responsibilities of governments to do. They're basically sitting back," he said.

US seeks to 're-evaluate relationship with South Sudan', calls back ambassador

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-sudan-rebel-leader-jets-back-home-for-peace-talks-257082">rebel chief Riek Machar</a> on Thursday were given another 100 days to form a power-sharing government after failing to resolve differences, a fresh delay that prompted a sharp US warning that the fledgling nation needed new leaders.

The two rivals, whose fallout in 2013 sparked a conflict that has left hundreds of thousands dead, were granted the extension after a rare face-to-face meeting held with regional heavyweights in Uganda.

It is the second time the deadline has been pushed back since the rivals signed a truce last September that brought a pause to fighting.

Both sides had agreed to join forces in a coalition government by November 12. But with the date looming and key issues far from resolved, regional leaders brokered high-level mediations in Entebbe to chart a way forward.

"It was really impossible to have them reach agreement in five days. We've given them three months and we will continue our engagement," Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa told AFP following the closed-door discussions at State House in Entebbe.

The meeting "agreed to extend the pre-transitional period... and to review progress after fifty days from that date", Kutesa said afterwards, reading from an official communique.

The United States, a major backer of the impoverished nation, voiced exasperation with the delay and said it would "review our relationship" with South Sudan's government.

"This inability to meet their own deadline calls into question their suitability to continue to lead the nation's peace process," Tibor Nagy, the top US diplomat of Africa, said of Kiir and Machar.

"The US is considering all possible options to put pressure on those individuals who would impede peace and promote conflict," he wrote on Twitter.

The United States has previously threatened targeted sanctions without a prompt government formation, although an official earlier ruled out ending Washington's roughly $1 billion in humanitarian assistance.

Nagy nonetheless voiced appreciation to the African mediators who included Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni; General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads neighbouring Sudan's sovereign council; and Kalonzo Musyoka, a special envoy from Kenya.

Despite US frustration at the slow progress, some observers warned that pushing the foes to form a unity government before disagreements over security and state boundaries were resolved threatened to plunge the country back into war.

The peace deal has largely stopped the fighting that erupted just two years after South Sudan achieved independence, violence that left nearly 400,000 dead and displaced close to four million people.

"Another extension is far preferable than a return to conflict," said Alan Boswell, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank.

"Regional mediators must step up at the highest levels to finally resolve the sticking points blocking the peace process from moving forward."

Machar, who lives in exile in Khartoum and cannot travel freely in the region, had asked for more time so that the impasse over security and territory arrangements could be overcome.

The rebel leader warned that if these were not addressed, the country would see a repeat of fighting in 2016, when an earlier peace deal collapsed, worsening the conflict.

Machar, a former deputy to Kiir, fled South Sudan on foot under a hail of gunfire and has only returned home on rare occasions, fearing for his safety.

Kiir had said he was ready to form a new government and had threatened to do it alone.

The creation of the coalition government, a key pillar of the September 2018 peace deal between the rivals, had already been delayed once in May when regional leaders brokered a six-month extension.

The United Nations Security Council, on the eve of the Entebbe meeting, declared that fully implementing "all provisions of the peace agreement remains the only path that will set the country towards the goal of peace, stability and development".

A cornerstone of the accord was that fighters from all sides would be gathered into military camps and trained as a unified army,&nbsp;a process dogged by delays and lack of funding.

Little progress has been made on negotiations around state boundaries,&nbsp;another major sticking point.

The European Union, in a statement Thursday before the extension was announced, urged the warring parties to demonstrate "genuine will to build peace" and set realistic deadlines for resolving outstanding issues.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar on Thursday were given another 100 days to form a power-sharing government after failing to resolve differences, a fresh delay that prompted a sharp US warning that the fledgling nation needed new leaders.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar on Thursday were given another 100 days to form a power-sharing government after failing to resolve differences, a fresh delay that prompted a sharp US warning that the fledgling nation needed new leaders. The two rivals, whose fallout in 2013 sparked a conflict that has left hundreds of thousands dead, were granted the extension after a rare face-to-face meeting held with regional heavyweights in Uganda. It is the second time the deadline has been pushed back since the rivals signed a truce last September that brought a pause to fighting. Both sides had agreed to join forces in a coalition government by November 12. But with the date looming and key issues far from resolved, regional leaders brokered high-level mediations in Entebbe to chart a way forward. "It was really impossible to have them reach agreement in five days. We've given them three months and we will continue our engagement," Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa told AFP following the closed-door discussions at State House in Entebbe. The meeting "agreed to extend the pre-transitional period... and to review progress after fifty days from that date", Kutesa said afterwards, reading from an official communique. The United States, a major backer of the impoverished nation, voiced exasperation with the delay and said it would "review our relationship" with South Sudan's government. "This inability to meet their own deadline calls into question their suitability to continue to lead the nation's peace process," Tibor Nagy, the top US diplomat of Africa, said of Kiir and Machar. "The US is considering all possible options to put pressure on those individuals who would impede peace and promote conflict," he wrote on Twitter. The United States has previously threatened targeted sanctions without a prompt government formation, although an official earlier ruled out ending Washington's roughly $1 billion in humanitarian assistance. Nagy nonetheless voiced appreciation to the African mediators who included Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni; General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads neighbouring Sudan's sovereign council; and Kalonzo Musyoka, a special envoy from Kenya. Despite US frustration at the slow progress, some observers warned that pushing the foes to form a unity government before disagreements over security and state boundaries were resolved threatened to plunge the country back into war. The peace deal has largely stopped the fighting that erupted just two years after South Sudan achieved independence, violence that left nearly 400,000 dead and displaced close to four million people. "Another extension is far preferable than a return to conflict," said Alan Boswell, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank. "Regional mediators must step up at the highest levels to finally resolve the sticking points blocking the peace process from moving forward." Machar, who lives in exile in Khartoum and cannot travel freely in the region, had asked for more time so that the impasse over security and territory arrangements could be overcome. The rebel leader warned that if these were not addressed, the country would see a repeat of fighting in 2016, when an earlier peace deal collapsed, worsening the conflict. Machar, a former deputy to Kiir, fled South Sudan on foot under a hail of gunfire and has only returned home on rare occasions, fearing for his safety. Kiir had said he was ready to form a new government and had threatened to do it alone. The creation of the coalition government, a key pillar of the September 2018 peace deal between the rivals, had already been delayed once in May when regional leaders brokered a six-month extension. The United Nations Security Council, on the eve of the Entebbe meeting, declared that fully implementing "all provisions of the peace agreement remains the only path that will set the country towards the goal of peace, stability and development". A cornerstone of the accord was that fighters from all sides would be gathered into military camps and trained as a unified army, a process dogged by delays and lack of funding. Little progress has been made on negotiations around state boundaries, another major sticking point. The European Union, in a statement Thursday before the extension was announced, urged the warring parties to demonstrate "genuine will to build peace" and set realistic deadlines for resolving outstanding issues.

South Sudan rival leaders given 100 days to form unity government

South&nbsp;Sudan's exiled&nbsp;rebel&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Riek Machar on Saturday jetted&nbsp;back&nbsp;to the country for another round of&nbsp;peace&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with President Salva Kiir.

This meeting is expected to come up with a way forward on forming a new government in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;by the November 12th deadline.

President Kiir's government says the unity government should be formed as scheduled in the agreement.

"The meeting was to see the way forward, discuss all the other outstanding issues that are connected with the implementation of the agreement. And among them is, of course, the security arrangement," said Michael Makuei Lueth, Information Minister of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan.

Machar,&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;People's Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), who is currently living in neighbouring&nbsp;Sudan, made his third trip to Juba, the capital and largest city of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan,&nbsp;after he fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed violence in July 2016.

Machar held a face-to-face meeting with President Salva Kiir last month where the two agreed to resolve pending issues that have dragged implementation of the&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal.

Peter Manawa Gatkuoth, deputy head of Information of the SPLM-IO, told reporters at Juba International Airport that the opposition&nbsp;leader&nbsp;wants an overhaul of the security sector before forming a unity government.

"We should unify, train and deploy unified forces. That's why we put it as a condition as the SPLM-IO, to form a government of national unity. We need to solve the issue of security arrangement," said Gatkuoth.

South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked Machar, leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to the two&nbsp;leaders.

The conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions both internally and externally.

A&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal signed in 2015 collapsed after the outbreak of renewed violence in July 2016, forcing Machar to flee the capital.

Under the 2018&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal, Machar will take up one of the four vice presidency positions in the transitional government.

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar on Saturday jetted back to the country for another round of peace talks with President Salva Kiir. This meeting is expected to come up with a way forward on forming a new government in South Sudan by the November 12th deadline.

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar on Saturday jetted back to the country for another round of peace talks with President Salva Kiir. This meeting is expected to come up with a way forward on forming a new government in South Sudan by the November 12th deadline. President Kiir's government says the unity government should be formed as scheduled in the agreement. "The meeting was to see the way forward, discuss all the other outstanding issues that are connected with the implementation of the agreement. And among them is, of course, the security arrangement," said Michael Makuei Lueth, Information Minister of South Sudan. Machar, leader of Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), who is currently living in neighbouring Sudan, made his third trip to Juba, the capital and largest city of South Sudan, after he fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following renewed violence in July 2016. Machar held a face-to-face meeting with President Salva Kiir last month where the two agreed to resolve pending issues that have dragged implementation of the peace deal. Peter Manawa Gatkuoth, deputy head of Information of the SPLM-IO, told reporters at Juba International Airport that the opposition leader wants an overhaul of the security sector before forming a unity government. "We should unify, train and deploy unified forces. That's why we put it as a condition as the SPLM-IO, to form a government of national unity. We need to solve the issue of security arrangement," said Gatkuoth. South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked Machar, leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to the two leaders. The conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions both internally and externally. A peace deal signed in 2015 collapsed after the outbreak of renewed violence in July 2016, forcing Machar to flee the capital. Under the 2018 peace deal, Machar will take up one of the four vice presidency positions in the transitional government.

South Sudan rebel leader jets back home for peace talks

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar is expected to make his first visit to Juba in a year for talks Monday with President Salva Kiir, government and opposition sources told AFP.

"He's expected to come and sit with President Salva Kiir so that they can discuss all the outstanding issues of the peace agreement and the way forward," government spokesman Michael Makuei told AFP on Sunday.

"He's coming for a peace mission," Kang Pal Chol, a senior member of Machar's SPLM-IO party, told AFP in Juba.

The meeting comes as a November deadline looms to form a power-sharing government, a key plank in a 2018 peace agreement that has been delayed by disputes.

Kiir has not been seen with Machar since the pair met in the Vatican in April, when Pope Francis stunned the world by kissing the feet of two men accused of responsibility for heinous war crimes.

South Sudan descended into war in 2013, just two years after the country gained independence, when Kiir accused his former deputy and fellow former rebel leader Machar of plotting a coup.

Multiple attempts at peace have failed but in September 2018 the warring parties signed an agreement to form a unity government, allowing Machar to return from exile abroad.

Deadline looms

The last time Machar was in Juba was October 2018, for celebrations to mark the signing of the pact.

The power-sharing arrangements under the peace deal were supposed to take effect in May. But the process was delayed by six months until November as both sides disagreed over the terms.

As that deadline has approached, the rivals have come under pressure to meet.

Following their extraordinary meeting in the Vatican, President Kiir told parliament he had forgiven Machar, and urged his rival to return home.

But Machar has been concerned about his personal security should he return to the capital.

He fled on foot under a hail of gunfire when a previous peace deal collapsed in July 2016.

He is currently living in Khartoum, the capital of neighbouring Sudan, the country from which South Sudan broke away to claim independence in 2011.

A spokesman for the president's office did not confirm Kiir and Machar would meet but said "a high-level delegation from the Sudanese government" to the north was arriving for talks in Juba on Monday.

Makuei, the South Sudan government spokesman, said Machar would be accompanied by a representative from Khartoum, which has been engaged in its own bloody transition toward peace since the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in April.

The fighting in South Sudan has left 380,000 people dead and forced more than four million South Sudanese -- almost a third of the population -- to flee their homes.&nbsp;

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar is expected to make his first visit to Juba in a year for talks Monday with President Salva Kiir, government and opposition sources told AFP.

South Sudan's exiled rebel leader Riek Machar is expected to make his first visit to Juba in a year for talks Monday with President Salva Kiir, government and opposition sources told AFP. "He's expected to come and sit with President Salva Kiir so that they can discuss all the outstanding issues of the peace agreement and the way forward," government spokesman Michael Makuei told AFP on Sunday. "He's coming for a peace mission," Kang Pal Chol, a senior member of Machar's SPLM-IO party, told AFP in Juba. The meeting comes as a November deadline looms to form a power-sharing government, a key plank in a 2018 peace agreement that has been delayed by disputes. Kiir has not been seen with Machar since the pair met in the Vatican in April, when Pope Francis stunned the world by kissing the feet of two men accused of responsibility for heinous war crimes. South Sudan descended into war in 2013, just two years after the country gained independence, when Kiir accused his former deputy and fellow former rebel leader Machar of plotting a coup. Multiple attempts at peace have failed but in September 2018 the warring parties signed an agreement to form a unity government, allowing Machar to return from exile abroad. Deadline looms The last time Machar was in Juba was October 2018, for celebrations to mark the signing of the pact. The power-sharing arrangements under the peace deal were supposed to take effect in May. But the process was delayed by six months until November as both sides disagreed over the terms. As that deadline has approached, the rivals have come under pressure to meet. Following their extraordinary meeting in the Vatican, President Kiir told parliament he had forgiven Machar, and urged his rival to return home. But Machar has been concerned about his personal security should he return to the capital. He fled on foot under a hail of gunfire when a previous peace deal collapsed in July 2016. He is currently living in Khartoum, the capital of neighbouring Sudan, the country from which South Sudan broke away to claim independence in 2011. A spokesman for the president's office did not confirm Kiir and Machar would meet but said "a high-level delegation from the Sudanese government" to the north was arriving for talks in Juba on Monday. Makuei, the South Sudan government spokesman, said Machar would be accompanied by a representative from Khartoum, which has been engaged in its own bloody transition toward peace since the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in April. The fighting in South Sudan has left 380,000 people dead and forced more than four million South Sudanese -- almost a third of the population -- to flee their homes.

South Sudan rebel leader to meet president in Juba: Sources

The United States will give an additional $120 million in humanitarian assistance to help Latin America cope with the arrival of millions of Venezuelan migrants fleeing a crushing economic crisis, the State Department said on Wednesday.

More than 4 million Venezuelans have fled their home country in recent years amid political upheaval and widespread shortages of food and medicine.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) head Mark Green made the announcement during a visit to the border city of Cucuta, Colombia, an epicentre of arriving migrants, the State Department said in a statement.

Ivanka Trump, White House adviser and daughter of US President Donald Trump, is also on the visit. Colombia is the first stop on a Latin American tour that will also take her, Sullivan and Green to Argentina and Paraguay.

"This additional funding provides vital support, including emergency food and health assistance, to vulnerable Venezuelans in Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and throughout the region," the statement said. "This assistance brings the US contribution to the Venezuelan regional crisis response to more than $376 million."

"We salute Colombia and neighbouring countries for their continued support as well, and we call upon other donors to make or increase contributions to help address the crisis," the statement added.

Colombia has received more Venezuelan migrants than any other country - it is now home to more than 1.4 million. Hundreds of thousands of others reside in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and other countries.

Colombia has repeatedly lamented the lack of funding to help migrants, saying other humanitarian crises in Syria, South Sudan and Myanmar have received many times more in donations from the international community.

The United States said last week it will provide 12,000 doses of antiretroviral HIV medication to Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, part of efforts to better manage healthcare for migrants and prevent the spread of the disease.

Unlike its neighbours, Colombia has not imposed stringent immigration requirements, instead of encouraging migrants who entered the country informally to register with authorities so they can access social services.

The government of Colombia frequently spars with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over security and the migration crisis.

The two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations and Colombia, along with the United States, numbers among the more than 50 countries that do not recognise Maduro as Venezuela's president, instead of backing opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The United States will give an additional $120 million in humanitarian assistance to help Latin America cope with the arrival of millions of Venezuelan migrants fleeing a crushing economic crisis, the State Department said on Wednesday.

The United States will give an additional $120 million in humanitarian assistance to help Latin America cope with the arrival of millions of Venezuelan migrants fleeing a crushing economic crisis, the State Department said on Wednesday. More than 4 million Venezuelans have fled their home country in recent years amid political upheaval and widespread shortages of food and medicine. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) head Mark Green made the announcement during a visit to the border city of Cucuta, Colombia, an epicentre of arriving migrants, the State Department said in a statement. Ivanka Trump, White House adviser and daughter of US President Donald Trump, is also on the visit. Colombia is the first stop on a Latin American tour that will also take her, Sullivan and Green to Argentina and Paraguay. "This additional funding provides vital support, including emergency food and health assistance, to vulnerable Venezuelans in Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and throughout the region," the statement said. "This assistance brings the US contribution to the Venezuelan regional crisis response to more than $376 million." "We salute Colombia and neighbouring countries for their continued support as well, and we call upon other donors to make or increase contributions to help address the crisis," the statement added. Colombia has received more Venezuelan migrants than any other country - it is now home to more than 1.4 million. Hundreds of thousands of others reside in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and other countries. Colombia has repeatedly lamented the lack of funding to help migrants, saying other humanitarian crises in Syria, South Sudan and Myanmar have received many times more in donations from the international community. The United States said last week it will provide 12,000 doses of antiretroviral HIV medication to Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, part of efforts to better manage healthcare for migrants and prevent the spread of the disease. Unlike its neighbours, Colombia has not imposed stringent immigration requirements, instead of encouraging migrants who entered the country informally to register with authorities so they can access social services. The government of Colombia frequently spars with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over security and the migration crisis. The two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations and Colombia, along with the United States, numbers among the more than 50 countries that do not recognise Maduro as Venezuela's president, instead of backing opposition leader Juan Guaido.

US to give additional $120 million to help Venezuelan migrants

Tanzania was in mourning Sunday, preparing to bury 69 people who perished when a crashed fuel tanker exploded as crowds rushed to siphon off leaking petrol. President John Magufuli declared a period of mourning through Monday following the deadly blast near the town of Morogoro, west of Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania was in mourning Sunday, preparing to bury 69 people who perished when a crashed fuel tanker exploded as crowds rushed to siphon off leaking petrol. President John Magufuli declared a period of mourning through Monday following the deadly blast near the town of Morogoro, west of Dar es Salaam. He will be represented at the funerals by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, an official statement said. "We're currently mourning the loss of 69 people, the last of whom died while being transferred by helicopter to the national hospital in Dar es Salaam," Majaliwa told residents in comments broadcast on Tanzanian television. The number of injured stood at 66, he said. The burials will start Sunday afternoon, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jenista Mhagama announced during the morning after relatives identified the dead. "The preparations for the burials have been completed. Individual graves have been dug and the coffins are ready," Mhagama said, adding that experts would be available to offer psychological counselling to the victims' relatives. DNA tests would be carried out on bodies that were no longer recognisable, Mhagama said, adding that families could take the remains of their loved ones and organise their own burials if they preferred. In the latest in a series of similar disasters in Africa, 39 seriously hurt patients had been taken to hospital in Dar es Salaam while 17 others were being treated in Morogoro, 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of the economic capital of Tanzania. Footage from the scene showed the truck engulfed in flames and huge clouds of black smoke, with charred bodies. The burnt-out remains of motorcycle taxis lie scattered on the ground among scorched trees. A video posted on social media showed dozens of people carrying yellow jerricans around the truck. No-one wanted to listen "We arrived at the scene with two neighbours just after the truck was overturned. While some good Samaritans were trying to get the driver and the other two people out of the truck, others were jostling each other, equipped with jerricans, to collect petrol," teacher January Michael told AFP. "At the same time, someone was trying to pull the battery out of the vehicle. We warned that the truck could explode at any moment but no one wanted to listen, so we went on our way, but we had barely turned on our heels when we heard the explosion." President Magufuli called Saturday for people to stop the dangerous practice of stealing fuel in such a way, a common event in many poor parts of Africa. He issued a statement saying he was 'very shocked' by the looting of fuel from damaged vehicles. "There are vehicles that carry dangerous fuel oil, as in this case in Morogoro, there are others that carry toxic chemicals or explosives, let's stop this practice, please," Magufuli said. Last month, 45 people were killed and more than 100 injured in central Nigeria when a petrol tanker crashed and then exploded as people tried to take the fuel. Among the deadliest such disasters, 292 people lost their lives in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in July 2010, and in September 2015 at least 203 people died the South Sudan town of Maridi.

Tanzania mourns 69 killed in fuel tanker blast

Major breakthrough in the political crisis in the Sudan. After months of unrest, the Sudan might finally be staring at some peace. We get you a ground report from Patrick Oyet at Juba in South Sudan and we also give a detailed break-down of the power-sharing deal between the military and opposition.

Gravitas: Power-sharing deal between military & opposition in the Sudan

One in five people in war zones has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/blog-social-media-helps-people-open-up-about-depression-171044">depression, anxiety</a>, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday, with many suffering severe forms of these mental illnesses.

The findings highlight the long-term impact of war-induced crises in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, the UN's health agency said, and the numbers are significantly higher than in peacetime populations, where around one in 14 people have a mental illness.

"Given the large numbers of people in need and the humanitarian imperative to reduce suffering, there is an urgent need to implement scalable mental health interventions to address this burden," the research team said.

Mark van Ommeren, a mental health specialist at the WHO who worked on the team, said the findings "add yet more weight to the argument for immediate and sustained investment so that mental and psychosocial support is made available to all people in need living through conflict and its aftermath".

In 2016, the number of ongoing armed conflicts reached an all-time high of 53 in 37 countries and 12% of the world's people are living in an active war zone, according to United Nations figures. Since World War Two, almost 69 million people globally have been forced to flee war and violence.

The WHO's conflict mental health study, published in The Lancet medical journal, was carried out by a team of researchers from the WHO, Australia's Queensland University, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and Harvard University in the United States.

It analysed research from 129 studies and data from 39 countries published between 1980 and August 2017.

Regions that have seen conflict in the last 10 years were included and mental illnesses were categorised as either mild, moderate or severe. Natural disasters and public health emergencies, such as Ebola, were not included.

Overall in war zones, the average prevalence was highest for mild mental health conditions, at 13%. Around 4% of people living amid armed conflict had moderate mental health illness, and for severe conditions, the prevalence was 5%.

The study also found that rates of depression and anxiety in conflict settings appeared to increase with age, and depression was more common among women than men.

The study was funded by the WHO, the Queensland Department of Health and the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.

One in five people in war zones has depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday, with many suffering severe forms of these mental illnesses.

One in five people in war zones has depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday, with many suffering severe forms of these mental illnesses. The findings highlight the long-term impact of war-induced crises in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, the UN's health agency said, and the numbers are significantly higher than in peacetime populations, where around one in 14 people have a mental illness. "Given the large numbers of people in need and the humanitarian imperative to reduce suffering, there is an urgent need to implement scalable mental health interventions to address this burden," the research team said. Mark van Ommeren, a mental health specialist at the WHO who worked on the team, said the findings "add yet more weight to the argument for immediate and sustained investment so that mental and psychosocial support is made available to all people in need living through conflict and its aftermath". In 2016, the number of ongoing armed conflicts reached an all-time high of 53 in 37 countries and 12% of the world's people are living in an active war zone, according to United Nations figures. Since World War Two, almost 69 million people globally have been forced to flee war and violence. The WHO's conflict mental health study, published in The Lancet medical journal, was carried out by a team of researchers from the WHO, Australia's Queensland University, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and Harvard University in the United States. It analysed research from 129 studies and data from 39 countries published between 1980 and August 2017. Regions that have seen conflict in the last 10 years were included and mental illnesses were categorised as either mild, moderate or severe. Natural disasters and public health emergencies, such as Ebola, were not included. Overall in war zones, the average prevalence was highest for mild mental health conditions, at 13%. Around 4% of people living amid armed conflict had moderate mental health illness, and for severe conditions, the prevalence was 5%. The study also found that rates of depression and anxiety in conflict settings appeared to increase with age, and depression was more common among women than men. The study was funded by the WHO, the Queensland Department of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mental illness affects a fifth of people living in war zones

A bush fire fanned by gusty winds has gutted four villages in<a href="http://13.232.42.114/india-news/150-indian-peacekeepers-in-south-sudan-awarded-medal-of-honour-for-dedicated-service-211076"> South Sudan`s </a>Western Bahr el Ghazal region, killing 33 people, the president`s spokesman said, adding the toll was likely to rise.

The spokesman said in a statement late on Monday that 60 other people were in a critical condition after the fire on Sunday.

''The injured are receiving medication which is not sufficient given the remote state of the area in which the incident has taken place," Ateny Wek Ateny said in a statement at the statehouse on Monday evening.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Mathok Wal, Lol State`s information minister, said the fire had also destroyed 138 houses in the villages in Korok East County and killed 10,000 cattle.

A bush fire fanned by gusty winds has gutted four villages in South Sudan`s Western Bahr el Ghazal region, killing 33 people, the president`s spokesman said, adding the toll was likely to rise.

A bush fire fanned by gusty winds has gutted four villages in South Sudan`s Western Bahr el Ghazal region, killing 33 people, the president`s spokesman said, adding the toll was likely to rise. The spokesman said in a statement late on Monday that 60 other people were in a critical condition after the fire on Sunday. ''The injured are receiving medication which is not sufficient given the remote state of the area in which the incident has taken place," Ateny Wek Ateny said in a statement at the statehouse on Monday evening. On Tuesday, Mathok Wal, Lol State`s information minister, said the fire had also destroyed 138 houses in the villages in Korok East County and killed 10,000 cattle.

Bush fire guts four villages in South Sudan, kills 33

South Sudan which is reeling under the horrors of war, ethnic violence, rape, hunger and displacement, for civilians the greatest danger is been cut-off from health services. Watch this report.

In South Sudan, illness is as deadly as war

A total of 150 Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have received medals of honour for their dedicated service and sacrifice.&nbsp;

“A glimpse beyond the dedicated Service and Sacrifice of the @UN blue beret – Indian peacekeepers receive medals of honour in Malakal -@India Be Proud,” the UN mission tweeted Monday, along with pictures of the Indian peacekeepers participating in a parade and receiving the medals for their exemplary service.&nbsp;

The medals were given to the 150 Indian peacekeepers serving in UNMISS in Malakal during a ceremony filled with parades and performances by a piped band. Colonel Amit Gupta, deployed with UNMISS in Malakal, was among the recipients of the medal of honour.

A UNMISS news article said Gupta commands a battalion of 850 soldiers in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan. Under his command, his men have conducted highly sought-after veterinary camps and run a veterinary hospital in Malakal, with a second expected to be completed in Kodok – a major town along the west bank of the Nile – in a few weeks’ time. “I want to be remembered as having left positive memories for the people in South Sudan,” Gupta is quoted as saying in the UNMISS article.

“I also want to leave them in a better place, where they are able to generate income for themselves and build their country.” Indian peacekeepers serving with the mission have undertaken numerous training sessions of community animal health workers, providing value addition training for farmers to help them make the most of their produce. “If a group of volunteers in India can come together and create one of the largest milk production entities in our country, then surely, it can be done here as well,” he says, “If even 10 per cent of our trainees apply what they’ve learnt, this country will be better for it.” Gupta has previously served the United Nations in Northern Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Private Ankush Cheema, another recipient of the medal of honour, had joined the unit in 2017 when he found out that they were scheduled for a peacekeeping mission. “I grew up near Kashmir where several army units have been based and so I consider myself an army boy,” he says in the UNMISS article. “Besides this, my father and grandfather before him were both army men. They, however, never got to participate in a peacekeeping mission.

” During his deployment, Cheema has participated in air and riverine patrols and is also among the distinguished men who are in his Commander’s quick-response force. “Those I joined the army with, will probably earn their first medal of honour in another two years. I consider myself lucky. I have my UN medal and when I return home, I will get my foreign service medal,” he said.

Earlier in a tweet, UNMISS had said that the Indian Horizontal Mobility Engineering Company serving with the mission completed the renovation of 145 km of roadway connecting Bentiu and Leer “easing the way for the delivery humanitarian aid, trade and inter-communal dialogue.” India is one of the top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. More than 200,000 military and police have served over the past 70 years and 168 Indian military personnel have lost their lives under the UN flag. India is the second largest contributor of peacekeepers to UNMISS with more than 2,400 military and police personnel currently deployed the mission.

A total of 150 Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have received medals of honour for their dedicated service and sacrifice. “A glimpse beyond the dedicated Service and Sacrifice of the @UN blue beret – Indian peacekeepers receive medals of honour in Malakal -@India Be Proud,” the UN mission tweeted Monday, along with pictures of the Indian peacekeepers participating in a parade and receiving the medals for their exemplary service.

A total of 150 Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have received medals of honour for their dedicated service and sacrifice. “A glimpse beyond the dedicated Service and Sacrifice of the @UN blue beret – Indian peacekeepers receive medals of honour in Malakal -@India Be Proud,” the UN mission tweeted Monday, along with pictures of the Indian peacekeepers participating in a parade and receiving the medals for their exemplary service. The medals were given to the 150 Indian peacekeepers serving in UNMISS in Malakal during a ceremony filled with parades and performances by a piped band. Colonel Amit Gupta, deployed with UNMISS in Malakal, was among the recipients of the medal of honour. A UNMISS news article said Gupta commands a battalion of 850 soldiers in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan. Under his command, his men have conducted highly sought-after veterinary camps and run a veterinary hospital in Malakal, with a second expected to be completed in Kodok – a major town along the west bank of the Nile – in a few weeks’ time. “I want to be remembered as having left positive memories for the people in South Sudan,” Gupta is quoted as saying in the UNMISS article. “I also want to leave them in a better place, where they are able to generate income for themselves and build their country.” Indian peacekeepers serving with the mission have undertaken numerous training sessions of community animal health workers, providing value addition training for farmers to help them make the most of their produce. “If a group of volunteers in India can come together and create one of the largest milk production entities in our country, then surely, it can be done here as well,” he says, “If even 10 per cent of our trainees apply what they’ve learnt, this country will be better for it.” Gupta has previously served the United Nations in Northern Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Private Ankush Cheema, another recipient of the medal of honour, had joined the unit in 2017 when he found out that they were scheduled for a peacekeeping mission. “I grew up near Kashmir where several army units have been based and so I consider myself an army boy,” he says in the UNMISS article. “Besides this, my father and grandfather before him were both army men. They, however, never got to participate in a peacekeeping mission. ” During his deployment, Cheema has participated in air and riverine patrols and is also among the distinguished men who are in his Commander’s quick-response force. “Those I joined the army with, will probably earn their first medal of honour in another two years. I consider myself lucky. I have my UN medal and when I return home, I will get my foreign service medal,” he said. Earlier in a tweet, UNMISS had said that the Indian Horizontal Mobility Engineering Company serving with the mission completed the renovation of 145 km of roadway connecting Bentiu and Leer “easing the way for the delivery humanitarian aid, trade and inter-communal dialogue.” India is one of the top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions. More than 200,000 military and police have served over the past 70 years and 168 Indian military personnel have lost their lives under the UN flag. India is the second largest contributor of peacekeepers to UNMISS with more than 2,400 military and police personnel currently deployed the mission.

150 Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan awarded medal of honour for dedicated service

Pope Francis on Thursday (April 11) appealed to South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, his former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar, and three other vice presidents to respect an armistice they signed and commit to forming a unity government next month.

'Peace is possible', Pope kisses South Sudan leader's feet

Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for the second year running while war-torn South Sudan sank to the least contented in a United Nations report released on Wednesday.

The Nordic nation of 5.5 million people, known for their love of forests, lakes and saunas, topped the study which used survey data asking citizens in 156 countries how happy they perceive themselves to be, as well as measures such as life expectancy, income and social support.

The other Nordic countries, as well as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand and Austria also made the top ten.

As well as performing well on all the indicators, the most content countries all tended to have very stable societies, with happiness levels changing comparatively little since 2005.

Despite the political turmoil brought by Brexit, Britain rose four places in the rankings to 15th.

The United States, meanwhile, continued its slide of recent years, dropping one spot to 19th place.&nbsp;

"This year's report provides sobering evidence of how addictions are causing considerable unhappiness and depression in the US," said professor Jeffrey Sachs, one of the report's authors.

The unhappiest nation was South Sudan, where the UN recently said 60 per cent of people face food insecurity following a bloody civil war which has claimed the lives of an estimated 400,000 people.&nbsp;

Other conflict-ridden countries, such as Yemen, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic, also featured at the bottom of the table.

Released on the International Day of Happiness on March 20, the report warned that world happiness has declined in recent years, driven by a sustained fall in India, which this year ranked in 140th place.

This has coincided with a rise in negative feelings, "comprising worry, sadness and anger, especially marked in Asia and Africa, and more recently elsewhere," it said.

This year's publication also looked at how countries have performed in the happiness rankings since 2005.&nbsp;

Of the 20 largest gainers, half are in Central and Eastern Europe, five are in sub-Saharan Africa, and three in Latin America.&nbsp;

The five largest declines since 2005 were in Yemen, India, Syria, Botswana and Venezuela.&nbsp;

Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for the second year running while war-torn South Sudan sank to the least contented in a United Nations report released on Wednesday.

Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for the second year running while war-torn South Sudan sank to the least contented in a United Nations report released on Wednesday. The Nordic nation of 5.5 million people, known for their love of forests, lakes and saunas, topped the study which used survey data asking citizens in 156 countries how happy they perceive themselves to be, as well as measures such as life expectancy, income and social support. The other Nordic countries, as well as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand and Austria also made the top ten. As well as performing well on all the indicators, the most content countries all tended to have very stable societies, with happiness levels changing comparatively little since 2005. Despite the political turmoil brought by Brexit, Britain rose four places in the rankings to 15th. The United States, meanwhile, continued its slide of recent years, dropping one spot to 19th place. "This year's report provides sobering evidence of how addictions are causing considerable unhappiness and depression in the US," said professor Jeffrey Sachs, one of the report's authors. The unhappiest nation was South Sudan, where the UN recently said 60 per cent of people face food insecurity following a bloody civil war which has claimed the lives of an estimated 400,000 people. Other conflict-ridden countries, such as Yemen, Afghanistan and the Central African Republic, also featured at the bottom of the table. Released on the International Day of Happiness on March 20, the report warned that world happiness has declined in recent years, driven by a sustained fall in India, which this year ranked in 140th place. This has coincided with a rise in negative feelings, "comprising worry, sadness and anger, especially marked in Asia and Africa, and more recently elsewhere," it said. This year's publication also looked at how countries have performed in the happiness rankings since 2005. Of the 20 largest gainers, half are in Central and Eastern Europe, five are in sub-Saharan Africa, and three in Latin America. The five largest declines since 2005 were in Yemen, India, Syria, Botswana and Venezuela.

Finland tops world happiness rankings, South Sudan bottom: United Nations

Child soliders in war zones across globe

An Ethiopian military helicopter crashed inside a United Nations compound in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, killing three crew members and injuring 10 passengers, the UN said in a statement Sunday.

The statement said the helicopter was carrying 23 passengers when it crashed on Saturday inside the compound of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), "killing three of its crew members."

"Ten passengers were injured with three in critical condition," it said.

The MI-8 helicopter was carrying Ethiopian troops from Kadugli in Sudan to Abyei, which has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.&nbsp;

"We are investigating the incident," said UNISFA's acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu.

Ethiopia is the sole troop-contributing country to UNISFA, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground.

The UN Security Council has warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border "continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace," and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

An Ethiopian military helicopter crashed inside a United Nations compound in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, killing three crew members and injuring 10 passengers, the UN said in a statement Sunday.

An Ethiopian military helicopter crashed inside a United Nations compound in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, killing three crew members and injuring 10 passengers, the UN said in a statement Sunday. The statement said the helicopter was carrying 23 passengers when it crashed on Saturday inside the compound of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), "killing three of its crew members." "Ten passengers were injured with three in critical condition," it said. The MI-8 helicopter was carrying Ethiopian troops from Kadugli in Sudan to Abyei, which has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011. "We are investigating the incident," said UNISFA's acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu. Ethiopia is the sole troop-contributing country to UNISFA, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground. The UN Security Council has warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border "continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace," and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

Three killed in UN helicopter crash in disputed region

Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan have been lauded for providing lifesaving medical supplies to prisoners in the country's Malakal city.

Indian peacekeepers deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) donated medical supplies, including antibiotics, fortified malnutrition supplements and bandages to a state prison in Malakal.&nbsp;

"This medicine will go a long way in helping the vulnerable people who are here, said Major General Paul Puk Kun, director of the correctional facility, adding that the donated drugs would also provide a buffer to cover their shortages.

A total of 32 cartons containing an assortment of multi-purpose drugs were handed over to the prison. The contribution was made possible by the proactive cooperation between the peacekeeping mission's Human Rights office and the hospital run by the Indian battalion, according to information on the UNMISS website.

Colonel Anupam Tuteja, in charge of the Indian health facility, said that he remains committed to supporting the prison population as much as possible.

Human Rights Officers who regularly visit the jail have noted that conditions have greatly improved, particularly related to health and cleanliness.

India is currently the largest contributor of peacekeepers to UNMISS with close to 2,400 military and police personnel deployed.

Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan have been lauded for providing lifesaving medical supplies to prisoners in the country's Malakal city.

Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan have been lauded for providing lifesaving medical supplies to prisoners in the country's Malakal city. Indian peacekeepers deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) donated medical supplies, including antibiotics, fortified malnutrition supplements and bandages to a state prison in Malakal. "This medicine will go a long way in helping the vulnerable people who are here, said Major General Paul Puk Kun, director of the correctional facility, adding that the donated drugs would also provide a buffer to cover their shortages. A total of 32 cartons containing an assortment of multi-purpose drugs were handed over to the prison. The contribution was made possible by the proactive cooperation between the peacekeeping mission's Human Rights office and the hospital run by the Indian battalion, according to information on the UNMISS website. Colonel Anupam Tuteja, in charge of the Indian health facility, said that he remains committed to supporting the prison population as much as possible. Human Rights Officers who regularly visit the jail have noted that conditions have greatly improved, particularly related to health and cleanliness. India is currently the largest contributor of peacekeepers to UNMISS with close to 2,400 military and police personnel deployed.

Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan lauded for providing medical supplies to prisoners 

According to reports, South Sudan officials have communicated its military chief's death during a visit to Egypt. General James Ajongo was reported to have been suffering from a "short illness" and passed away on Friday.&nbsp

Ajongo took over as South Sudan's military chief almost a year ago after ex-chief Paul Malong was fired and put under house arrest.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, SPLA army’s chief of defence force,” government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said.

As per reports, a regional bloc seeks to put to an end to the five-year civil war in the country. A new round of peace talks is expected in May&nbsp

Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to take measures with respect to his fragile coalition in power.

South Sudan, which obtained independence from Sudan in 2011 and is the world’s youngest nation, has been mired in civil war since 2013 when Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp

Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir

According to reports, South Sudan officials have communicated its military chief's death during a visit to Egypt. General James Ajongo was reported to have been suffering from a "short illness" and passed away on Friday. Ajongo took over as South Sudan's military chief almost a year ago after ex-chief Paul Malong was fired and put under house arrest. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, SPLA army’s chief of defence force,” government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said. As per reports, a regional bloc seeks to put to an end to the five-year civil war in the country. A new round of peace talks is expected in May Military chief's death is likely to mount pressure on South Sudan President Salva Kiir to take measures with respect to his fragile coalition in power. South Sudan, which obtained independence from Sudan in 2011 and is the world’s youngest nation, has been mired in civil war since 2013 when Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar. (With inputs from Reuters)

South Sudan says military chief has died in Egypt 

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt on Thursday a US-drafted resolution that threatens to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan and sanctions against those blocking efforts to end one of Africa&#39;s worst wars.

The strongly-worded text is aimed at piling pressure on South Sudan&#39;s warring sides as they head into a new round of peace talks in Ethiopia next month to end the four-year war.

The council &quot;expresses its intention to consider all measures, including an arms embargo, as appropriate, to deprive the parties of the means to continue fighting,&quot; according to a final draft resolution.

Demanding an end to the fighting, the council will &quot;consider all appropriate measures... against those who take actions that undermine the peace, stability, and security of South Sudan,&quot; said on Wednesday.

The draft resolution would also renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission for a year and maintain a regional force in Juba that was deployed after fierce fighting broke out in the capital in July 2016.

The United Nations has 12,500 troops and 1,500 police in its UNMISS mission, which is tasked with protecting civilians caught up in a brutal war between President Salva Kiir&#39;s forces and rebels.

Negotiations on the US-drafted text began last week with Russia, China and Ethiopia raising objections to the threat of an arms embargo, diplomats said.

That stance was in line with the African Union, which has backed sanctions as a way to pressure the parties but has not endorsed an arms embargo.

The United States failed in late 2016 to garner enough support for a ban on weapons sales after eight countries including Russia, China, Angola, Egypt and Senegal abstained.

Nine votes are required to adopt a resolution in the 15-member council.

Despite the defeat, the United States has continued to call for an arms embargo, with the support of Britain and France.

Time for action

Human Rights Watch&#39;s UN deputy director Akshaya Kumar said an arms embargo and sanctions are the &quot;missing pieces of the puzzle&quot; to shore up peace efforts in South Sudan.

&quot;It&#39;s good that the Security Council is threatening these steps but they have made these threats many times before, and what we are waiting for is action,&quot; she said.

The measure would push the council closer to action but another draft resolution would have to be approved for the actual arms embargo to be imposed.

The war in the world&#39;s youngest nation has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted four million -- roughly a third of the population -- and raised the risk of famine.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011, with critical backing from the United States, which remains Juba&#39;s biggest aid donor.

With the war now in its fifth year, Ethiopia is leading a regional peace effort, hosting talks between the government and rebel groups that have yet to produce a breakthrough.

A ceasefire deal agreed in December has not taken hold, even though the level of violence has decreased.

The Ethiopia-led diplomatic effort has been billed as a last chance for peace as frustration grows over the ongoing war that has seen horrific levels of brutality.&nbsp;

A UN rights commission last month said there was sufficient evidence to charge at least 41 senior officers and officials with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The commission&#39;s report documented extraordinary cruelty. Some victims were beheaded, burned alive or had their throats cut, others had their eyes gouged out or were tortured.

Addressing a recent African Union summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dropped his usual reluctance to criticize leaders and bluntly said of South Sudan&#39;s leaders that he &quot;had never seen a political elite with so little interest in the well-being of its own people.&quot;&nbsp;

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt a US-drafted resolution that threatens to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt on Thursday a US-drafted resolution that threatens to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan and sanctions against those blocking efforts to end one of Africa's worst wars. The strongly-worded text is aimed at piling pressure on South Sudan's warring sides as they head into a new round of peace talks in Ethiopia next month to end the four-year war. The council "expresses its intention to consider all measures, including an arms embargo, as appropriate, to deprive the parties of the means to continue fighting," according to a final draft resolution. Demanding an end to the fighting, the council will "consider all appropriate measures... against those who take actions that undermine the peace, stability, and security of South Sudan," said on Wednesday. The draft resolution would also renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission for a year and maintain a regional force in Juba that was deployed after fierce fighting broke out in the capital in July 2016. The United Nations has 12,500 troops and 1,500 police in its UNMISS mission, which is tasked with protecting civilians caught up in a brutal war between President Salva Kiir's forces and rebels. Negotiations on the US-drafted text began last week with Russia, China and Ethiopia raising objections to the threat of an arms embargo, diplomats said. That stance was in line with the African Union, which has backed sanctions as a way to pressure the parties but has not endorsed an arms embargo. The United States failed in late 2016 to garner enough support for a ban on weapons sales after eight countries including Russia, China, Angola, Egypt and Senegal abstained. Nine votes are required to adopt a resolution in the 15-member council. Despite the defeat, the United States has continued to call for an arms embargo, with the support of Britain and France. Time for action Human Rights Watch's UN deputy director Akshaya Kumar said an arms embargo and sanctions are the "missing pieces of the puzzle" to shore up peace efforts in South Sudan. "It's good that the Security Council is threatening these steps but they have made these threats many times before, and what we are waiting for is action," she said. The measure would push the council closer to action but another draft resolution would have to be approved for the actual arms embargo to be imposed. The war in the world's youngest nation has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted four million -- roughly a third of the population -- and raised the risk of famine. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011, with critical backing from the United States, which remains Juba's biggest aid donor. With the war now in its fifth year, Ethiopia is leading a regional peace effort, hosting talks between the government and rebel groups that have yet to produce a breakthrough. A ceasefire deal agreed in December has not taken hold, even though the level of violence has decreased. The Ethiopia-led diplomatic effort has been billed as a last chance for peace as frustration grows over the ongoing war that has seen horrific levels of brutality. A UN rights commission last month said there was sufficient evidence to charge at least 41 senior officers and officials with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The commission's report documented extraordinary cruelty. Some victims were beheaded, burned alive or had their throats cut, others had their eyes gouged out or were tortured. Addressing a recent African Union summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dropped his usual reluctance to criticize leaders and bluntly said of South Sudan's leaders that he "had never seen a political elite with so little interest in the well-being of its own people."

United Nations set to threaten arms embargo on South Sudan

The United Nations on Friday was in talks with South Sudan&#39;s government after it ordered a UN radio broadcaster be shut down.

The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan, where foreign correspondents have been forced to leave and authorities have targeted other media outlets.

Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast because of &quot;persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated&quot; under domestic laws, said Elijah Alier, who chairs South Sudan&#39;s media authority.

Alier told reporters in Juba that the request to withdraw the frequency allocated to Radio Miraya would go into effect on Friday.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, however, said talks were ongoing with Juba about the decision.

UN officials are &quot;in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the UN radio station is still broadcasting,&quot; said Dujarric.

Run by the UN mission in South Sudan, Radio Miraya started broadcasting in 2006.&nbsp;

It bills itself as an independent radio station that provides impartial news and information.

South Sudan this year entered its fifth year of war, with nearly four million people uprooted and millions more in dire need of humanitarian aid.

The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan

The United Nations on Friday was in talks with South Sudan's government after it ordered a UN radio broadcaster be shut down. The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan, where foreign correspondents have been forced to leave and authorities have targeted other media outlets. Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast because of "persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated" under domestic laws, said Elijah Alier, who chairs South Sudan's media authority. Alier told reporters in Juba that the request to withdraw the frequency allocated to Radio Miraya would go into effect on Friday. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, however, said talks were ongoing with Juba about the decision. UN officials are "in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the UN radio station is still broadcasting," said Dujarric. Run by the UN mission in South Sudan, Radio Miraya started broadcasting in 2006. It bills itself as an independent radio station that provides impartial news and information. South Sudan this year entered its fifth year of war, with nearly four million people uprooted and millions more in dire need of humanitarian aid.

United Nations in talks with South Sudan to keep radio station open

China hasn&rsquo;t been known for establishing military bases in Africa &ndash; or even beyond its immediate sphere of influence. This is changing following its decision to build a military base in <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/china-open-overseas-military-base-djibouti-170712135241977.html">Djibouti</a> on the Horn of Africa. The base will be next door to the <a href="https://www.africom.mil/area-of-responsibility/east-africa/republic-of-djibouti">United States Africa Command</a>.

China will be able to use the base to improve the way it manages its peacekeeping operations and humanitarian efforts in Africa, as well as its regional maritime operations.

How should this be understood in terms of China&rsquo;s global positioning? And what are the implications of its expanding military footprint in Africa?

The brief answer is that there has not been a sudden change in China&rsquo;s role and foreign policy profile on the continent. Instead, the change has been gradual and incremental. This is particularly evident from an international peacekeeping perspective.

Beijing&rsquo;s views and approach towards United Nations peacekeeping have changed significantly since China <a href="http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2015/10/18/2003630319">joined the UN</a> in 1971. A major shift took place after the end of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War">Cold War</a> and, over the years, it&rsquo;s gradually taken a more positive stance and indicated a greater willingness to contribute.

Today China contributes peacekeepers in <a href="https://theglobalobservatory.org/2016/10/china-peacekeeping-dpko-south-sudan-mali/">substantial numbers</a> to operations in South Sudan, Mali and the <a href="http://www.african-defense.com/defense-news/chinese-peacekeepers-shine-in-drc/">Democratic Republic of Congo</a>. In doing so, it&rsquo;s deliberately sending a message that its rising profile is not a strategic threat to other major powers. Instead, it wants to be regarded as a friend to developing nations and be more responsive to global expectations. This includes the need to reduce tensions and conflicts.

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<h5>China&rsquo;s role in Africa can be understood from three broad perspectives: to assert its position as a global power, craft a positive image of itself, and to promote its national interests.</h5>
</blockquote>
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China&rsquo;s role in Africa can be understood from three broad perspectives: to assert its position as a global power, craft a positive image of itself, and to promote its national interests.

A global player

China increasingly intends to show that it is a global power. The new base in Djibouti should be viewed in this context. It&rsquo;s in line with China&rsquo;s views on international peacekeeping. This is that peacekeeping&nbsp;way of exerting greater influence on international affairs through the UN.

Unlike the US, which has numerous <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-worldwide-network-of-us-military-bases/5564">military bases around the world</a>, China has exercised its global presence through peacekeeping operations. As a result, Beijing has emerged as a significant actor in international peacekeeping operations &ndash; in Africa and elsewhere.

Its commitment to this can be seen from the fact that it&rsquo;s the only country that significantly contributes both troops and money to <a href="http://chinapower.csis.org/china-un-mission/">UN peacekeeping operations</a>.

Secondly, China&rsquo;s expanding role in UN peacekeeping over the last two decades has helped it craft a more positive and constructive global image and reputation. It has used peacekeeping deliberately, and systematically, as a diplomatic instrument aimed at projecting China as a responsible global power. Its approach to peacekeeping has also allowed it to respond more quickly to African requests or challenges. And it&rsquo;s worked as a confidence building measure with both African governments and the African Union.

Thirdly, China&rsquo;s emerging role in Africa is part of an evolving and pragmatic reorientation in Chinese policymaking circles, specifically where Beijing&rsquo;s political interests and related investments are at stake. China is <a href="http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/january-2013/china-heart-africa">Africa&rsquo;s largest trading partner</a>, and its strategic and material interests have become more integrated and entangled with African concerns.

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/180386/width754/file-20170731-22175-9evoy0.jpg" />
<figcaption>
Chinese soldiers deployed for UN peacekeeping missions at their military base in Qinyang, Henan province, China.&nbsp;

But its growing involvement in peacekeeping has become more difficult to reconcile with its historical commitment to non-interventionism. This is particularly clear in the case of South Sudan.
</figcaption>
</figure>

Strategic interests

Africa&rsquo;s youngest nation has presented both challenges and opportunities for China. It has had to soften its historical arm&rsquo;s length approach to facilitate a political solution to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. But it has also needed to secure its strategic interests, especially the production of oil.

In this volatile and turbulent environment, Beijing felt compelled to make a substantial peacekeeping contribution to the <a href="http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmiss/">United Nations Mission in South Sudan</a>. This included deploying combat troops.

But it also had to assume a number of new political roles, such as mediating between warring parties and engaging in <a href="http://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=45658&amp;#.V-KBmvl97IU">multilateral peace talks</a>. This puts Chinese foreign policy principles under pressure and steered its involvement in international peacekeeping operations in a new direction.

China&rsquo;s peacekeeping experience in South Sudan suggests that it tacitly recognises that some kind of intervention is sometimes needed to protect its strategic interests.

Although China&rsquo;s involvement in peacekeeping in South Sudan should not be overstated in terms of its scope and extent, it does seem to signal the beginning of a far more assertive role in Africa&rsquo;s peace and security issues.

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<h5>As much as China is being forced to adopt high-risk strategies in cases of overseas investment, as in South Sudan, its approach can still be defined as being carefully impartial</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=As much as China is being forced to adopt high-risk strategies in cases of overseas investment, as in South Sudan, its approach can still be defined as being carefully impartial" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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At the same time, as much as China is being forced to adopt high-risk strategies in cases of overseas investment, as in South Sudan, its approach can still be defined as being carefully impartial. It remains true that China&rsquo;s increased involvement in political dynamics in South Sudan doesn&rsquo;t sit easily with its long held policy of non-intervention.

A new colonialism?

Will China&rsquo;s presence in Africa &ndash; including its military footprint in Djibouti &ndash; turn into a new form of colonialism in Africa?

I believe this is highly unlikely. China remains acutely aware of the pitfalls associated with the politics of interventionism, especially in developing nations. It wants developing countries to regard it as a friend in global politics.

But it wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising if China started to apply at least a measure of military (hard) power alongside diplomatic (soft) power if it believes its economic interests are under threat.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/81783/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />African leaders must be realistic about developments such as the Djibouti military base. They can&rsquo;t welcome China&rsquo;s presence &ndash; and investments &ndash; as an acceptable alternative to America, while opposing Beijing&rsquo;s use of diplomatic &ndash; and even military &ndash; means to protect its interests.

&nbsp;

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-the-djibouti-military-base-tells-us-about-chinas-growing-role-in-africa-81783">original article</a>.

China?s expanding role in UN peacekeeping over the last two decades has helped it craft a more positive and constructive global image and reputation

China hasn’t been known for establishing military bases in Africa – or even beyond its immediate sphere of influence. This is changing following its decision to build a military base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. The base will be next door to the United States Africa Command. China will be able to use the base to improve the way it manages its peacekeeping operations and humanitarian efforts in Africa, as well as its regional maritime operations. How should this be understood in terms of China’s global positioning? And what are the implications of its expanding military footprint in Africa? The brief answer is that there has not been a sudden change in China’s role and foreign policy profile on the continent. Instead, the change has been gradual and incremental. This is particularly evident from an international peacekeeping perspective. Beijing’s views and approach towards United Nations peacekeeping have changed significantly since China joined the UN in 1971. A major shift took place after the end of the Cold War and, over the years, it’s gradually taken a more positive stance and indicated a greater willingness to contribute. Today China contributes peacekeepers in substantial numbers to operations in South Sudan, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In doing so, it’s deliberately sending a message that its rising profile is not a strategic threat to other major powers. Instead, it wants to be regarded as a friend to developing nations and be more responsive to global expectations. This includes the need to reduce tensions and conflicts. China’s role in Africa can be understood from three broad perspectives: to assert its position as a global power, craft a positive image of itself, and to promote its national interests. × China’s role in Africa can be understood from three broad perspectives: to assert its position as a global power, craft a positive image of itself, and to promote its national interests. A global player China increasingly intends to show that it is a global power. The new base in Djibouti should be viewed in this context. It’s in line with China’s views on international peacekeeping. This is that peacekeeping way of exerting greater influence on international affairs through the UN. Unlike the US, which has numerous military bases around the world, China has exercised its global presence through peacekeeping operations. As a result, Beijing has emerged as a significant actor in international peacekeeping operations – in Africa and elsewhere. Its commitment to this can be seen from the fact that it’s the only country that significantly contributes both troops and money to UN peacekeeping operations. Secondly, China’s expanding role in UN peacekeeping over the last two decades has helped it craft a more positive and constructive global image and reputation. It has used peacekeeping deliberately, and systematically, as a diplomatic instrument aimed at projecting China as a responsible global power. Its approach to peacekeeping has also allowed it to respond more quickly to African requests or challenges. And it’s worked as a confidence building measure with both African governments and the African Union. Thirdly, China’s emerging role in Africa is part of an evolving and pragmatic reorientation in Chinese policymaking circles, specifically where Beijing’s political interests and related investments are at stake. China is Africa’s largest trading partner, and its strategic and material interests have become more integrated and entangled with African concerns. Chinese soldiers deployed for UN peacekeeping missions at their military base in Qinyang, Henan province, China. But its growing involvement in peacekeeping has become more difficult to reconcile with its historical commitment to non-interventionism. This is particularly clear in the case of South Sudan. Strategic interests Africa’s youngest nation has presented both challenges and opportunities for China. It has had to soften its historical arm’s length approach to facilitate a political solution to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. But it has also needed to secure its strategic interests, especially the production of oil. In this volatile and turbulent environment, Beijing felt compelled to make a substantial peacekeeping contribution to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. This included deploying combat troops. But it also had to assume a number of new political roles, such as mediating between warring parties and engaging in multilateral peace talks. This puts Chinese foreign policy principles under pressure and steered its involvement in international peacekeeping operations in a new direction. China’s peacekeeping experience in South Sudan suggests that it tacitly recognises that some kind of intervention is sometimes needed to protect its strategic interests. Although China’s involvement in peacekeeping in South Sudan should not be overstated in terms of its scope and extent, it does seem to signal the beginning of a far more assertive role in Africa’s peace and security issues. As much as China is being forced to adopt high-risk strategies in cases of overseas investment, as in South Sudan, its approach can still be defined as being carefully impartial × At the same time, as much as China is being forced to adopt high-risk strategies in cases of overseas investment, as in South Sudan, its approach can still be defined as being carefully impartial. It remains true that China’s increased involvement in political dynamics in South Sudan doesn’t sit easily with its long held policy of non-intervention. A new colonialism? Will China’s presence in Africa – including its military footprint in Djibouti – turn into a new form of colonialism in Africa? I believe this is highly unlikely. China remains acutely aware of the pitfalls associated with the politics of interventionism, especially in developing nations. It wants developing countries to regard it as a friend in global politics. But it wouldn’t be surprising if China started to apply at least a measure of military (hard) power alongside diplomatic (soft) power if it believes its economic interests are under threat. African leaders must be realistic about developments such as the Djibouti military base. They can’t welcome China’s presence – and investments – as an acceptable alternative to America, while opposing Beijing’s use of diplomatic – and even military – means to protect its interests. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

China?s new military base in Africa will help China in asserting its position as a global power

At least 15 children died in South Sudan in early May after health workers vaccinating them against measles used the same syringe without sterilizing it, the health minister said&nbsp;Friday.

About 300 children were vaccinated on May 2-5 in Nacholdokopele village in Eastern Equatoria state, another 32 of whom have recovered after falling ill with symptoms including fever, vomiting and diarrhea, Health Minister Riek Gai Kok said.

&quot;The team that vaccinated the children in this tragic event were neither qualified nor trained for the immunization campaign,&quot; Kok told a news conference.

A report prepared by a committee of specialists found the children had died from severe sepsis toxicity as a result of the vaccine&#39;s contamination, caused by repeated use of an unsterilised syringe.

Oil-producing South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, has struggled to provide basic services such as healthcare ever since it descended into civil war in December 2013. 
&nbsp;

15 children died in South Sudan in early May when health workers vaccinating them against measles used the same syringe without sterilising it

At least 15 children died in South Sudan in early May after health workers vaccinating them against measles used the same syringe without sterilizing it, the health minister said Friday. About 300 children were vaccinated on May 2-5 in Nacholdokopele village in Eastern Equatoria state, another 32 of whom have recovered after falling ill with symptoms including fever, vomiting and diarrhea, Health Minister Riek Gai Kok said. "The team that vaccinated the children in this tragic event were neither qualified nor trained for the immunization campaign," Kok told a news conference. A report prepared by a committee of specialists found the children had died from severe sepsis toxicity as a result of the vaccine's contamination, caused by repeated use of an unsterilised syringe. Oil-producing South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, has struggled to provide basic services such as healthcare ever since it descended into civil war in December 2013.

South Sudan: Botched anti-measles campaign kills 15 children

A plane belonging to a small South Sudanese airline crash-landed at the airport of the northwestern town of Wau on Monday, injuring several passengers, local aid workers said.

&quot;No one died but there are a number of injured people right now,&quot; one of the local aid workers near the scene of the crash told Reuters.

Officials could not immediately be reached for further information.

(Reuters)

'No one died but there are a number of injured people right now,' one of the local aid workers said

A plane belonging to a small South Sudanese airline crash-landed at the airport of the northwestern town of Wau on Monday, injuring several passengers, local aid workers said. "No one died but there are a number of injured people right now," one of the local aid workers near the scene of the crash told Reuters. Officials could not immediately be reached for further information. (Reuters)

Plane crashes at South Sudan airport, several people injured: Aid workers

UN aid agencies need $4.4 billion in emergency funding to address famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday.

More than 20 million people face&nbsp;starvation in the four countries and action is needed now to avert a humanitarian disaster, Guterres told a news conference at UN headquarters.

&quot;We need $4.4 billion by the end of March to avert a catastrophe,&quot; he said.

So far, the United Nations has raised $90 million to fund a global response to the four famine alerts, which are unprecedented in recent decades.

South Sudan on Monday declared a famine in parts of the north, while Fews Net, the famine early warning system, has said that some remote areas of northeast Nigeria are affected by starvation since late last year.

There has only been one famine since 2000, in Somalia. At least 260,000 people died in the 2011 disaster , half of them children under the age of five, according to the UN World Food Program.

The UN children&#39;s agency UNICEF this week said almost 1.4 million children acutely malnourished in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen could die as food shortages worsen in the coming months.

Of the four famine alerts, only one, Somalia, is caused by drought, while the other three stem from conflicts, described as &quot;man-made food crises.&quot;

In Yemen, where war has been raging for nearly two years, about 7.3 million people need food aid now, in the &quot;largest food insecurity emergency in the world,&quot; said Guterres.

Un-blocking aid

The Saudi-led coalition waging a military campaign against rebels in Yemen has been accused of imposing a blockade on Yemen, which relies almost entirely on imports.

The UN chief appealed to warring sides to allow aid workers to reach starving civilians.

&quot;The situation is so dire. This is the moment in which international humanitarian law must be respected by all and access must be granted to all areas,&quot; said Guterres.

Across northeast Nigeria, some 5.1 million people face severe food shortages and nearly 500,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition as the conflict with Boko Haram militants grinds on.&nbsp;

Famine has already been declared in two counties of South Sudan and nearly 5 million people are in desperate need of food.

Guterres, who took over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, appeared at a news conference with top aid officials who stressed they had contingency plans in place, but needed funds to swing into action.

The appeal came as humanitarian aid groups are already struggling to meet needs in Syria and cope with the global refugee crisis.

The International Rescue Committee said Wednesday that the famine designation in South Sudan meant that people were already dying and that the international response was too late.

&quot;These crises remain among the least discussed and most underfunded in the world despite their extraordinary scale, scope and man-made origins. This is absurd,&quot; said Ciaran Donnelly, international programs director at the IRC.

&quot;The IRC and other aid groups have been raising the alarm of an impending famine in South Sudan for months, and instead of taking the warnings seriously, it fell largely on deaf ears,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(AFP)

More than 20 million people face?starvation in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen

UN aid agencies need $4.4 billion in emergency funding to address famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday. More than 20 million people face starvation in the four countries and action is needed now to avert a humanitarian disaster, Guterres told a news conference at UN headquarters. "We need $4.4 billion by the end of March to avert a catastrophe," he said. So far, the United Nations has raised $90 million to fund a global response to the four famine alerts, which are unprecedented in recent decades. South Sudan on Monday declared a famine in parts of the north, while Fews Net, the famine early warning system, has said that some remote areas of northeast Nigeria are affected by starvation since late last year. There has only been one famine since 2000, in Somalia. At least 260,000 people died in the 2011 disaster , half of them children under the age of five, according to the UN World Food Program. The UN children's agency UNICEF this week said almost 1.4 million children acutely malnourished in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen could die as food shortages worsen in the coming months. Of the four famine alerts, only one, Somalia, is caused by drought, while the other three stem from conflicts, described as "man-made food crises." In Yemen, where war has been raging for nearly two years, about 7.3 million people need food aid now, in the "largest food insecurity emergency in the world," said Guterres. Un-blocking aid The Saudi-led coalition waging a military campaign against rebels in Yemen has been accused of imposing a blockade on Yemen, which relies almost entirely on imports. The UN chief appealed to warring sides to allow aid workers to reach starving civilians. "The situation is so dire. This is the moment in which international humanitarian law must be respected by all and access must be granted to all areas," said Guterres. Across northeast Nigeria, some 5.1 million people face severe food shortages and nearly 500,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition as the conflict with Boko Haram militants grinds on. Famine has already been declared in two counties of South Sudan and nearly 5 million people are in desperate need of food. Guterres, who took over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, appeared at a news conference with top aid officials who stressed they had contingency plans in place, but needed funds to swing into action. The appeal came as humanitarian aid groups are already struggling to meet needs in Syria and cope with the global refugee crisis. The International Rescue Committee said Wednesday that the famine designation in South Sudan meant that people were already dying and that the international response was too late. "These crises remain among the least discussed and most underfunded in the world despite their extraordinary scale, scope and man-made origins. This is absurd," said Ciaran Donnelly, international programs director at the IRC. "The IRC and other aid groups have been raising the alarm of an impending famine in South Sudan for months, and instead of taking the warnings seriously, it fell largely on deaf ears," he added. (AFP)

UN needs emergency funding of $4.4 bn for famine relief in four countries

Parts of war-ravaged&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;have been hit by famine, a government official said on Monday, saying nearly half the country&#39;s population would lack reliable access to affordable food by July.&nbsp;

Oil-rich&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;has been mired in civil war since 2013, when President Salva Kii fired his deputy. Since then the fighting has increasingly split the country along ethnic lines, leading the United Nations to warn of a potential genocide.&nbsp;

The fighting has prevented many farmers from harvesting their crops while hyper inflation which reached more than 800 per cent last year has put the price of imported food beyond the reach of many.&nbsp;

Parts of the country have also been hit by drought.&nbsp;

Chairman of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&#39;s National Bureau of Statistic Isaiah Chol Aruai said 4.9 million people what is termed &quot;food insecure&quot; between February and April, with that number rising to 5.5 million by July.

&quot;The long term effects of the conflict coupled with high food prices, economic crisis, low agricultural production and depleted livelihood options are all contributing to deterioration of food security situation,&quot; he told a news conference in Juba.&nbsp;

According to the United Nations, famine is declared when at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent, and two or more people per 10,000 are dying per day.

United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Eugene Owuso said that food insecurity is largely because of conflict as well as other factors.

&quot;Largely because of the insecurity, is largely because the access challenges humanitarians have periodically had, it&#39;s also because of attacks on humanitarian workers and also the looting of humanitarian assets,&quot; he said.

Many parts of the country are very hard to reach. Six years after independence from neighbouring Sudan,&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;only has only 200 km (120 miles) of paved roads in a nation the size of Texas. Fighting also impedes aid delivery; warehouses have been looted and aid workers have been killed.

(Reuters)

Fighting has prevented many farmers from harvesting their crops while hyper inflation?has put imported food beyond the reach of many

Parts of war-ravaged South Sudan have been hit by famine, a government official said on Monday, saying nearly half the country's population would lack reliable access to affordable food by July. Oil-rich South Sudan has been mired in civil war since 2013, when President Salva Kii fired his deputy. Since then the fighting has increasingly split the country along ethnic lines, leading the United Nations to warn of a potential genocide. The fighting has prevented many farmers from harvesting their crops while hyper inflation which reached more than 800 per cent last year has put the price of imported food beyond the reach of many. Parts of the country have also been hit by drought. Chairman of South Sudan's National Bureau of Statistic Isaiah Chol Aruai said 4.9 million people what is termed "food insecure" between February and April, with that number rising to 5.5 million by July. "The long term effects of the conflict coupled with high food prices, economic crisis, low agricultural production and depleted livelihood options are all contributing to deterioration of food security situation," he told a news conference in Juba. According to the United Nations, famine is declared when at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent, and two or more people per 10,000 are dying per day. United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Eugene Owuso said that food insecurity is largely because of conflict as well as other factors. "Largely because of the insecurity, is largely because the access challenges humanitarians have periodically had, it's also because of attacks on humanitarian workers and also the looting of humanitarian assets," he said. Many parts of the country are very hard to reach. Six years after independence from neighbouring Sudan, South Sudan only has only 200 km (120 miles) of paved roads in a nation the size of Texas. Fighting also impedes aid delivery; warehouses have been looted and aid workers have been killed. (Reuters)

Famine hits South Sudan, about half the country will lack reliable access to affordable food by July?

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