Metro

UN Special Reps laments deteriorating situation in Sudan, calls for restoration of democracy

Published

2 years ago

September 10, 2022

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan, Volker Perthes, has lamented the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.

Perthes, in a statement on Saturday, said the absence of effective solutions to restore a “credible democratic transition”, has worsened the conditions in the country leading to a rise in human rights violations and economic and security deteriorations.

In the report intended to be presented before the UN Security Council next week, Perthes drew attention to documented 183 human rights violations in the past three months, affecting about 1,454 people, including women and 65 children.

The violations, according to the UN Special Rep, included violating the right to live, kidnapping, sexual and physical abuse of women and girls.

“Despite announcing the state of emergency lift, security forces have continued violations given the lack of judicial accountability and continued impunity.

“There have been continued use of live bullets and excessive force against peaceful protests calling for civil rule that have been ongoing for over ten months,” parts of the report said.

It also warned of the dangerous economic situation in the country given the rise in inflation rates, disrupted supply chains and the increase in food insecurity, reaching a quarter of the country’s population.

“We have also highlighted major deterioration of the security situation and the spread of tribal and familial conflicts, especially in Darfur and Blue Nile, which has led to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands from conflict areas,” it added.

Click to comment

Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

20 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.