Africa

In Niger, the situation remains tense in the Tillaberi region along the border with Burkina Faso following several clashes.  Since 1 May, 51 civilians have been killed.  The United Nations and its partners are working to increase access to the affected border areas, with food security likely to worsen.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Africa Dialogue Series High-Level Policy Dialogue “Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent”, held today:

The Secretary-General expressed his shock and sadness today over the heinous mass shooting that took place at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, saying it is particularly heart-wrenching that most of the victims are children.  He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and to the entire community.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for Africa Day, observed on 25 May:

Terrorism in the Sahel is a slow-burning, mortal threat, a senior United Nations peace operations official told the Security Council today as speakers expressed alarm about the recent departure of Mali from the region’s security architecture.

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the opening ceremony of the Africa Trade and Investment Forum of the Africities Summit in Kisumu, Kenya, today:

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the Africa Dialogue Series webinar on “Social protection’s role in enhancing food security and nutrition for greater resilience in Africa”, today:

More than 1,000 migrants have died or disappeared since 2014 while trying to leave East Africa and the Horn of Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.  Most were travelling to the Arabian Peninsula or South Africa.  Migrants face violence, abandonment by smugglers, limited access to medical care and detention, among other dangers.

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the opening session of the Africities Summit in Kisumu, Kenya, today:

Food and nutrition aid has reached 2.1 million people in Myanmar during the first quarter of 2022, the World Food Programme (WFP) says.  WFP hopes to reach at least 4 million of the country’s most food-insecure and vulnerable people this year, subject to availability of resources and access to those in need, and calls for unimpeded humanitarian access.