Help our local partners realise their vision of hope for their communities
2 September 2016
News from HART:
- We’ve moved offices! Check out our new contact details.
Burma
- Peace talks have got off to a shaky start this week at the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in Burma. The conference is bringing together representatives from the many armed ethnic groups opposing the government. The conference is built on a cease-fire deal signed between the former government and eight armed groups last year, with rebels agreeing to put down their weapons in order to attend.
India
- 180 million workers have gone on strike today demanding higher pay and in protest of the government’s economic policies. They are demanding a monthly minimum wage rise and a pension, as well as protesting government disinvestment in the public sector.
This all-India labour strike will not be the last one, writes @uddalokbhattach https://t.co/Cxwe3eGa8s pic.twitter.com/9LvHW5lcv2
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) September 2, 2016
Nigeria
- Tens of millions of pounds worth of criminal assets stolen in Nigeria will be sent back to West Africa after a landmark agreement between UK immigration minister Robert Goodwill and Nigeria’s Attorney General Abubakar Malami. The deal will mean that bank accounts, properties, cars and other stolen goods seized in Britain will all be returned.
- There is disagreement among leading Nigerian politicians over whether to use force against the Niger Delta Avengers. Advisor to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the government to fight the NDA before taking on Boko Haram insurgents.
South Sudan
- The South Sudanese government has deployed a huge force along Juba-Nimule road after 2 security officers were killed on the road by gunmen believed to be allied to former First Vice President Riek Machar. The road is a key connecting route for the government.
- The US has threatened to impose sanctions on individuals recruiting children into armed groups in South Sudan, after a United Nations report implicated government forces in their enlistment. The UN Children’s Fund found in a recent report that the South Sudanese army recruited children to take part in fighting that erupted in Juba in July.
- UN Security Council diplomats are expected to visit South Sudan this week, although information about the purpose of their trip has yet to be given.
Sudan
- The Sudanese government has agreed to give refugee status to South Sudanese who have fled the conflict in their country. This enables the United Nations to provide assistance and raise funds for aid operations.
- The US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan has vowed that the US will continue efforts to persuade rebels to sign a ceasefire agreement with the Sudanese government. He has said that Washington should play a key role in convincing rebels to lay down their arms and implement the Roadmap Agreement.
Uganda
- The World Food Programme is engaging in an emergency operation providing food assistance to around 80,000 South Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda who have arrived in the aftermath of renewed conflict in South Sudan in July. Overall, the WFP is assisting close to half a million refugees throughout Uganda.
