The Central African Republic’s third largest city has fallen to rebels who are fighting to overthrow President Francois Bozize. The southern city of Bambari was taken by a coalition known as Seleka, a day after regional leaders called on the rebels to withdraw from cities recently taken and start talks with the government. Seleka’s campaign started a month ago, with the rebels pushing for a release of political prisoners and payment for former fighters, as per a peace deal signed by the government and armed groups in 2007.
Amnesty International has condemned the execution of six Taiwanese prisoners as “cold-blooded killings”. The six men had been convicted of murder and were executed in three prisons across the island. "How can the government credibly claim it wants to see an end to the death penalty when it continues to conduct such actions," said Amnesty International in a statement . "It is abhorrent to justify taking someone's life because prisons are overcrowded or the public's alleged support for the death penalty." Taiwan has now executed a total of 15 prisoners since 2010, after an informal halt on the...
The Russian government has called on South Sudan to punish those responsible for the downing of a UN helicopter, staffed by Russian crew. "We call on the government of South Sudan to carry out the necessary investigation, punish the guilty and take every measure to guarantee that this never happens again," a statement by Russia's foreign ministry said. South Sudan has expressed regret for the shooting down, but it is not yet clear who is responsible for the attack.
Egypt’s Vice President, Mahmoud Mekki, announced his resignation today as the country completes its voting process on the controversial referendum on a draft constitution. Mahmoud Mekki, appointed in August, said the Vice President role did not suit his background as a judge. Though President Mursi has said the referendum on the constitution will secure democracy, opponents argue the document betrays the revolution that overthrew Mubarak last year. Explaining his resignation Mekki said, “I realised a while ago that the nature of politics does not suit my professional background as a judge.”...
Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, made clear today that Moscow would not mediate on behalf of countries offering Bashar al-Assad asylum, in a push to make him quit Syria. Speaking to journalists, Lavrov said : “Some countries in the region have turned to us and suggested, ‘Tell Assad we are ready to fix him up. And we answered, ‘What do we have to do with it? If you have such plans, approach him directly.’ ” “If there are people wishing to give him some kind of guarantees, be our guest. We will be the first to cross ourselves and say, ‘Thank God, the carnage is over.’ Whether this...
Talks between Farc and Colombia have made progress said both sides prior to the Christmas break. In a statement, the government's lead negotiator, Humberto de la Calle said , "Since November 19 when we formally began, we've had 21 sessions and more than 100 hours of intense work, and concrete advances, all as expected." Asserting that the government hoped Farc could be transformed into a political organisation, De La Calle said, "They don't have to abandon their ideology and the government does not have to change its model of society," "We are not negotiating the development model of Colombia...
Renewed clashes between rival communities in Kenya's Tana river region have killed at least 39 people. While some say the latest attack by Pokomo farmers on the Orma village of Kipao was political, police have claimed that it was a retaliation for the killing of over 100 villagers earlier this year. Police say that although houses were burnt and villagers cut down with machetes, there were casualties on both sides, as the Orma villagers seemed prepared. See here for full report on BBC.
South Sudan’s armed forces have admitted to shooting down a United Nations helicopter killing all four crew members, earlier on Friday. South Sudanese army spokesperson Philip Aguer stated that one of their artillery units had spotted the aircraft, suspecting that it would resupply rebels led by David Yau Yau. Aguer said, "We regret the incident," "The artillery unit unfortunately fired on the plane [believing] that this is an enemy plane because there was no prior information from the UN about this plane being in the area," "We saw a white plane landing and asked UNMISS whether they had any...
The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has released a statement warning of a risk of growing sectarian violence in Syria, as violence continues in the country. In a statement expressing concern that religious or ethnic groups may be increasingly targeted, Adama Dieng said, “I am deeply concerned that entire communities risk paying the price for crimes committed by the Syrian Government,” “As the situation in Syria deteriorates further, there is a growing risk that civilian communities, including Alawite and other minorities perceived to be associated with the...
An Israeli-Arab MP, Haneen Zoabi, has been barred from re-election by Israel's electoral authority on Wednesday, citing her presence on the Gaza flotilla in May 2010. Claiming that she was "negating Israel's existence as a Jewish state" and that her actions illustrate "support for an enemy state or terrorist organisation", Israel's Central Elections Committee voted 19 to 9 in favour of blocking Zoabi's candidacy for the general election in January 2013. One member abstained.