Metro

Ukraine withdraws troops from DR Congo’s MONUSCO peacekeeping mission

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2022

The Ukrainian government has withdrawn its 250-strong troops from the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUSCO, saying the country’s military needs the soldiers back home to help fight the invading Russian forces.

The withdrawal of Ukraine’s aviation unit from the mission was earlier announced in March, but experts had warned that the withdrawal could leave the UN mission seriously short of helicopters for its aerial operations.

Ukraine had contributed eight fighter helicopters to the mission which made up a third of the UN fleet in the MONUSCO but the withdrawal of the troops on Saturday means that the vital components of the mission has been removed.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, the Eastern European country has pulled out its troops from other UN peacekeeping missions where they had been deployed.

A DR Congo’s parliamentary defence committee member, Jacques Ndjoli, who spoke with the BBC on the withdrawal, said it was relatively serious, but pointed out that bringing peace to the country was primarily the responsibility of the Congolese Army.

In the past few months, the UN mission in the DR Congo has been under immense pressure to wind down its operations in the country with widespread criticism over its failure to restore peace in the eastern parts of the country where different armed groups have operated for three decades, killing, raping and looting the region’s rich minerals resources such as gold and diamonds.

Many have also called for the operation of the mission which has been in the country for 22 years, to be winded down as it has become one of the largest and most expensive of the UN’s 12 peacekeeping missions around the world.

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Metro

‘Rights must go with responsibilities,’ traditional leader cautions on use of social media

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Mansa, Luapula Province: Annette Katema, the Head Woman of Chitumbi Village in Mansa District, voices concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage.

In a recent interview with Zambia Monitor, Katema argued that social media platforms were contributing to delinquency among the youth, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Children are being exposed to inappropriate content on WhatsApp, which is harmful to their upbringing. Social media platforms are fostering moral decay,” remarked Head Woman Chitumbi.

She stated that this trend undermined the cultural values that were essential for societal cohesion.

Katema expressed reservations about the prevalence of nudity and offensive language on social media, calling for stricter moderation.

She advocated for proactive measures to steer young people away from harmful online content, suggesting the revitalization of traditional recreational activities like playhouses and sports.

“Instead of solely relying on punitive measures, let’s invest in creating positive alternatives to counter the allure of social media,” Katema proposed.

She urged the youth to uphold traditional values alongside their digital rights, stating the importance of responsible behavior online.

“We should not lose respect in the name of digital rights because rights should go with responsibilities,” the traditional leader said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

President Tinubu finally returns to Nigeria amid speculations over his absence

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

After spending the last two weeks out of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to the country.

Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday morning, had departed the country two weeks ago, on April 23, for The Netherlands for a three-day official visit, honouring an invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

While in the European country, Tinubu participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum, which brought together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries.

After his engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development which held between April 28–29.

However, after the summit, the president did not return to the country as he was said to have proceeded to London for a private visit which gave room to speculations over his health.

The Nigerian Presidency did not also help matters as there was no official statement on the President’s engagements, nor were they willing to douse the tension created by his absence, leading to Nigerians raising posers with the hashtag #WhereisTinubu.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed that Tinubu would be back in the country on Wednesday.

“President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” he had written.

The recent foreign trip was Tinubu’s 20th since assuming office on May 29, 2023, effectively logging 96 days abroad, which has made him one of Africa’s most globe-trotting leaders.

In his less than one year in office, President Tinubu has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic, New Delhi, India.

He has also taken a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Doha, Qatar; and The Hague, The Netherlands.