The world's permanent war crimes tribunal has focused significant attention on Africa including issuing arrest warrants for Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide stemming from alleged atrocities in the Darfur region. Key parties trying to restore peace to Central African Republic are urging the new government to take "concrete actions" to rapidly advance national reconciliation so that over 850,000 people who fled the violence can return home. A communique issued Saturday a day after the ministerial meeting with Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera urged the government to start talks with rebel groups to enable the launch of a national program to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate combatants "without further delay." A spokesman says Ban met with Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda on Saturday and encouraged the country's leaders to hold an "inclusive political dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences on issues related to elections." Bahrain has faced years of low-level unrest following its crushing of a 2011 Arab Spring-inspired uprising led by the country's Shiite majority and the country has come under scrutiny for alleged human rights violations. In a non-binding resolution, the lawmakers urged Bahrain's government to "ensure the security and safety of all citizens irrespective of their political views, affiliation or confession." Yasay, addressing the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday during its annual ministerial meeting, said the Duterte government is determined to eradicate the distribution, sale and use of illegal drugs because they threaten the country's "peace and order which, in turn, impedes our sustainable development goals." Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci says he expects a meeting Sunday with his Greek Cypriot counterpart and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to provide a road map for reunification of the ethnically split Mediterranean island. Syria's foreign minister says his country's belief in military victory is greater now because the army "is making great strides in its war against terrorism" with support from Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah fighters.
 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.sfgate.com |