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11 December 2015
News From HART
- The HART team have just returned from their trip to Nigeria with incredible and tragic stories in hand. The full report will be forthcoming in the next week
- HART intern, Will Side, blogs on the failure of the Sudanese Peace talks, which have led to increased hostilities in the country.
- On the first International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, Joe Whittaker argues that the time has come for Turkey to recognise the Armenian genocide.
- Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Carol concert on Wednesday – it was a roaring success. We estimate that 180 people sung, danced and drank mulled wine with us.
Beautiful carol concert with @HARTnews, ft address from #Jos, reminding us to think about wider world at xmas time. pic.twitter.com/WUjz7AipG0
— Natasha Self (@TashaSelf) December 10, 2015
Nagorno-Karabakh
- Azerbaijan has shelled positions in Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time in 20 years, the region’s defence ministry has said.
- A group of US congressmen issued a statement in which they demand the US administration to ensure the right of the Nagorno-Karabakh people to self-determination.
Sudan
- Government forces and the rebels have said they are preparing for another bout of fighting after the latest peace talks reached an impasse.
- There have been reports of government troop movements in Blue Nile, with 6,000 entering the region.
- The pre-dialogue meeting between the government and opposition forces has been delayed due to ‘arrangements not being finalised in time’.
- Sudan’s Vice-President, Bakri Hassan Salih, has accused opposition groups of seeking ‘impossible conditions’ during the peace talks to join the national dialogue.
- An informal two-day discussion will take place between the government and SPLM-N next week in Addis Ababa, to help reach agreements on ‘pending issues’
South Sudan
- The head of UN peacekeeping operations, Herve Ladsous, has called for an increase in troops as South Sudan faces a critical juncture.
- The SPLM-IO advance are now due to return to Juba on December 11th to help establish a transitional government, in-line with the peace agreement.
- Fighting between rebel groups and the SPLA in Western Equatoria has seen thousands of people flee to DRCongo.
- Increased fighting in Unity state has seen at least 15,000 people displaced.
- South Sudanese army has released 13 prisoners of war from SPLA-IO, to show commitment to implementing peace deal.
Burma
- Military chief Aung Hlaing pledges that the military will remain apolitical and execute its national defence duties regardless of the form that the government takes next year.
- Aung San Suu Kyi met with ethnic lawmakers in Naypyidaw on Monday, urging all members to work together for the sake of the country.
- Suu Kyi has also urged NLD representatives to forgive those that have wronged Burma in the past. She said that: “Whatever mistake they made in the past, we need to give them the chance to change, instead of seeking revenge. If they are doing nothing wrong at the present time, they can join hands with us”.
- The United States has announced a work-around in its sanctions to allow trade through ports and other infrastructure. However, human rights groups oppose the move as a retrograde step.
India
- India and Pakistan have committed to resuming high-level bilateral talks for the first time in three years.
- New figures released show that every day, 400 women and children go missing in India, with many remaining untraced. In 2015 alone, over 100,000 have gone missing. The report also found that 90% of India’s trafficking in persons is domestic.
- The recent floods in South India reportedly have caused the economy to lose $3 billion. Many areas affected are still flooded and have been left without power.
Nigeria
- Six are feared dead after a clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen on Saturday in Benue State.
- Nigeria’s intelligence agency says it has arrested nine alleged Boko Haram extremists plotting attacks in Abjua, the capital, over the festive season.
- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has told former British Foreign Secretary that the millions of people displaced from their homes by Boko Haram would start the process of returning in 2016.
The Nigerian President meeting IDPs in Adamawa on November 13th. Credit: Stringers/Reuters - The Acting Director of Army Piblic Relations, Col. S.K. Usman claims that the Nigerian army killed 5 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 210 civilians held captive on Wednesday.
Uganda
- Uganda’s Defence Minister has met UN, AU and EU officials in an emergency meeting over the growing Burundi crisis
- Parliamentary candidates have been urged to address water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues, still a key concern for the Ugandan population.
- To adapt to climate change, Uganda ‘needs USD 400 million’ over the next five years, according to a government commissioned study.