Category: Legal Rights

MOGADISHU— A devastating drought in Somalia has reached unprecedented levels, leaving one million people within the country currently registered as displaced, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said.

More than 755,000 people have been internally displaced in Somalia because of the severe dry spell this year, bringing the total figure to one million since January when the drought began, according to new figures released by UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

“This one million milestone serves as a massive alarm bell for Somalia,” said Mohamed Abdi, NRC’s Country Director in Somalia.

Somalia is going through a two-year historic dry spell, the likes of which have not been seen in more than 40 years.

And an expected fifth failed rainy season is bound to displace many more families, as famine looms on the horizon, the UNHCR said.

The UN agency spoke with Hussein, an elderly father of eight who, having fled his village after drought ravaged their crops and livestock, recently arrived with his family at a camp for displaced people.

“The people left behind, they have no chance,” he said. “It is just a matter of time until they die. Even here we might die because we have nothing”.

The number of people facing crisis hunger levels in Somalia is expected to rise from some five million to more than seven million in the coming months – exacerbated by the effects of climate change, and rising food prices triggered by the conflict in Ukraine.

In terms of climate vulnerability, Somalia is ranked second highest globally, based on 2019 data, according to the University of Notre Dame’s Global Adaptation Initiative ranking.

“Vulnerable communities are the hardest hit by the effects of the climate crisis, leaving many families unprotected and increasing displacement,” said UNHCR’s Representative in Somalia, Magatte Guisse.

The 2022 Gu rainy season, from March to June, came to an early end in May, with lower rainfall recorded and little to no rain in June.

Northern areas recorded 30 to 60 per cent of the average rainfall, while the central and southern areas received 45 to 75 per cent – marking the fourth consecutive failed rainy season since late 2020.

The UNHCR official noted that even before this latest crisis, “the Somalia situation was already one of the most underfunded”.

“While we and humanitarian partners are doing what we can to respond, we simply have insufficient resources,” he said. “The international community must step up to save lives and support this humanitarian response”.

In June, UNHCR announced that it needs $9.5 million for Somalia, as part of its regional appeal for the Horn of Africa, to help displaced communities affected by the catastrophic drought.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Thursday for a former Central African Republic government minister who is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The suspect, Mahamat Nouradine Adam, is accused of committing crimes during his position as the country’s Minister of Security between March 31 and August 22 in 2013. These violations included alleged “acts of savagery” at detention centers in the capital of Bangui.

Prosecutors say Adam was involved in torture, persecution, enforced disappearances and cruel treatment of prisoners at these detention centers.

The warrant, which was sealed in 2019, was reviewed by an ICC judge along with evidence gathered by the prosecution. After reviewing the evidence, the judge said the warrant is “sufficient to establish reasonable grounds to believe that Adam bears individual criminal responsibility for the crimes.”

Adam was part of the government in the Central African Republic when the largely Muslim Seleka group seized power and forced President Francois Bozize to step down from office in 2013.

ICC prosecutors say Adam had a prominent role in the group and was even “considered as the person with the most power in the Seleka,” even more power than Bozize’s successor, Michel Djotodia.

The released warrant said the United Nations has placed a travel ban on Adam, but said he is believed to be moving from country to country within the region.

The ICC has placed other alleged offenders from the C.A.R.’s unrest on trial, including an alleged Seleka commander and two commanders of the anti-Balaka forces that opposed the Seleka.

Source: Voice of America

Tripoli-The Assistant Secretary-General, the Acting Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Raisedon Zenenga met Monday with members of the National Assembly, who submitted a proposal for the legislative elections law and constitutional rule. He also met parliamentary candidates and other political activists.

Everyone stressed the need to intensify dialogue between Libyan actors, encourage consensus and speed up elections, according to the mission’s website.

The Assistant Secretary-General appreciated the work of community leaders in calling for transparent and inclusive elections, encouraging them to continue to engage.

Source: Libyan News Agency

Tripoli, The meeting held by the President of the Supreme Council of State, “Khaled Al-Mashri” today, Monday, with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, “Miftah Al-Qawi” was devoted to discussing the observations of the Supreme Judicial Council on the constitutional rule regarding the door and organization of the judiciary.

During the meeting – which was held at the council’s headquarters in Tripoli, in the presence of the Vice-President of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Attorney General, Counsellor Al-Siddiq Al-Sour – he expressed his understanding of these observations, pledging to study them with the Constitutional Committee of the Council and submit them to the participating dialogue committee in Cairo.

The efforts of the Public Prosecutor to review the national figures were also reviewed as a necessary step to ensure the integrity of the upcoming elections.

Source: Libyan News Agency