United States Africa Command Public Affairs Office 28 March 2012 USAFRICOM - related news stories

Good morning. Please see today's news review for March 28, 2012. This new format is best viewed in HTML. Of interest in today's report: - UN official meets Mali mutiny leaders - MCC Takes Action on Zambia, Malawi and Mali - More border clashes in Sudan - Kenya confirms FinMin and shuffles cabinet U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs Please send questions or comments to: publicaffairs@usafricom.mil 421-2687 (+49-711-729-2687) Headline UN senior official meets Mali junta leaders Date 03/27/2012 Outlet Xinhua

UNITED NATIONS, March 26 (Xinhua) -- UN senior official for West Africa Said Djinnit went to Bamako, capital of Western African country and met with Mali junta leaders last Friday, said UN spokesperson Eduardo del Buey here Monday.

Border clashes erupt as Sudan peace talks approach

03/27/2012

CNN

Juba, South Sudan (CNN) -- Clashes erupted Monday on the volatile border between Sudan and South Sudan in the run-up to a planned meeting between the nations' presidents as part of a troubled peace process.

Kenya: KDF Destroys Three Al Shabaab Bases

03/27/2012

AllAfrica.com

THE Kenyan Defence Force operating under the Amisom umbrella over the weekend killed 13 al shabaab fighters and destroyed three of the insurgent group's bases in Gedo and Lower Juba region.

Uganda: Parliament Grills Kiyonga Over Soldiers Pay

03/27/2012

AllAfrica.com

Parliament has expressed concern over the ministry of defense's monthly deductions from UPDF officers in Somalia.

Kenya president confirms Githae as finmin, shuffles cabinet

03/27/2012

Reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Monday confirmed the appointment of Robinson Githae as finance minister, a position he has held in an acting capacity since January, and announced several changes to the cabinet.

Angola: U.S. Africom Official Visits Country

03/27/2012

AllAfrica.com

The commander of the U.S. African Command (FRICOM), General Carter F. Ham, is due to visit Angola on 27 March, Angop learnt Monday from the embassy of the United States of America (USA) in a statement.

Somalia: Unknown Gunmen Shoot, Injure Journalist

03/27/2012

AllAfrica.com

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Sunday's shooting of radio journalist Mohyadin Hassan Mohamed in the capital, Mogadishu, and calls on authorities to ensure his safety.

Embattled junta calls on Tuareg rebels to hold talks

03/27/2012

France 24

Mali's junta appealed late Monday to Tuareg rebels in the country's north to suspend their campaign and hold talks with the new military leadership, which has come under intense pressure both at home and abroad to restore constitutional order.

MCC Takes Action on Zambia, Malawi, Mali

03/27/2012

AllAfrica.com

Washington -- The U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) board of directors has voted to invest $350 million to help improve water infrastructure in Lusaka, Zambia.

Deaths as rival militias clash in Libya 03/27/2012

Al Jazeera

Clashes between rival militias in southern Libya have killed 20 people, a doctor at a regional hospital said, highlighting the challenge the government faces in imposing its authority months after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

United Nations News Service

03/27/2012

UN News Service

UN concerned over refugee safety as fighting persists near South Sudan-Sudan border The United Nations refugee agency today voiced concern over recurring fighting near the Yida refugee settlement in South Sudan, close to the border with Sudan, saying the ...

News Headline: UN senior official meets Mali junta leaders | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: Xinhua News Text: UN senior official meets Mali junta leaders UNITED NATIONS, March 26 (Xinhua) -- UN senior official for West Africa Said Djinnit went to Bamako, capital of Western African country and met with Mali junta leaders last Friday, said UN spokesperson Eduardo del Buey here Monday. Djinnit, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa, participated in a joint mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations which was dispatched to Bamako on Friday under the leadership of ECOWAS, del Buey told a daily briefing. The members of the mission met a delegation of the junta led by Captain Adama Diarra and spoke on the phone with Captain Amadou Sanogo whom they could not meet personally for security reasons, del Buey said. "They reiterated the appeal launched by the ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations for an immediate return to the constitutional order," said del Buey. "They also urged the junta leaders to guarantee the physical security of President Amadou Toumani Toure, as well as that of the other persons detained." Additionally, the delegation reiterated the attachment of the ECOWAS, the AU and the UN to Mali's territorial integrity, according to del Buey. Djinnit is expected to attend the ECOWAS summit, which will be held on Tuesday in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in which ECOWAS heads of state will further examine the situation in Mali, said the spokesperson. Late last week, rebel Malian soldiers took control of the country and announced the dissolution

of the Government led by President Amadou Toumani Toure. The UN Security Council Monday expressed its strong condemnation of the recent coup d'etat and called for order to be restored in the country. .
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News Headline: Border clashes erupt as Sudan peace talks approach | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: CNN News Text: Juba, South Sudan (CNN) -- Clashes erupted Monday on the volatile border between Sudan and South Sudan in the run-up to a planned meeting between the nations' presidents as part of a troubled peace process. South Sudan army spokesman Philip Aguer accused Khartoum of launching aerial bombing raids on troops in Jaw, a border area where their armies have clashed previously. He said Sudanese ground forces attacked a southern base near the Heglig oil field. "They repelled the attack, they pursued them to Heglig. The SPLA is controlling part of Heglig," he said, referring to South Sudan's army. Sudan denied that its air force bombed Jaw, and said the border clashes near Heglig were "minor". Part of Heglig is disputed, along with much of the 1,200-mile border. Sudan President Omar alBashir is scheduled to travel to the southern capital on April 3 to meet with his counterpart, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, and sign a deal on border demarcation. Under that agreement, the countries would establish a joint committee and technical team to mark the border. Another agreement would guarantee the rights of citizens from each country living on either side of the border. The accords are considered landmark achievements, reached after eight months of negotiations that began after South Sudan broke away from Sudan and declared independence July 9. The split, which came after two decades of civil war, left a raft of unresolved issues, including how much the landlocked south should pay to transport its oil through a pipeline running across Sudan. South Sudan shut down oil production in late January after accusing its northern neighbor of stealing $815 million of its oil. Sudan said it confiscated the crude to make up for unpaid fees to use the pipeline and processing facilities in its territory. Pagan Amum, the south's chief negotiator, said the border and citizenship agreements could open the way to a deal to resume oil production. Both countries are suffering economically since the shutdown began. Upon independence, South Sudan took three-quarters of the formerly united country's oil reserves, and oil accounted for 98% of the new state's revenues. Monday's border clashes cast doubt on whether either country would honor any agreements. During talks mediated by the African Union, the countries also signed a nonaggression pact on February 10 aimed at bringing peace to the border region. Aside from clashes between government forces, both countries accuse each other of supporting militia or rebel forces in their territories.

On Thursday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland urged South Sudan to cease military support for rebels fighting the Khartoum government in Blue Nile state and Southern Kordofan state, where Monday's clashes occurred. Southern officials have repeatedly denied providing support to the rebels. Nuland also demanded that Khartoum "end aerial bombardments of civilian areas." The war has already sent more than 100,000 refugees across the border into South Sudan, and the United States and United Nations have warned that hundreds more could follow, fleeing hunger and violence.
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News Headline: Kenya: KDF Destroys Three Al Shabaab Bases | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: AllAfrica.com News Text: THE Kenyan Defence Force operating under the Amisom umbrella over the weekend killed 13 al shabaab fighters and destroyed three of the insurgent group's bases in Gedo and Lower Juba region. Kenyan fighter jets on Friday afternoon bombarded an area in Gedo region about 12km from Fafadun village which was earlier liberated by KDF forces and destroyed three al Shabaab bases. The 10 fighters were killed and four gun mounted vehicles used by the militia group destroyed. On Saturday, Kenyan jet fighters hit an al Shabaab base in Tarako village killing three militants and injuring several others. Unconfirmed reports indicated that several civilians including herders had been injured during that incident but this could not be independently verified. One of the people died in Bardare hospital where casualties from Firday's and Saturday's air strikes were rushed. KDF, who recently joined Amisom are targeting al Shabaab strongholds in Gedo, Middle and Lower Juba areas as they slowly advance towards Kismayu which is the ultimate destination. Operation Linda Nchi spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir, in his latest twitter post said the military's ultimate goal to eliminate al Shabaab is still on. "The cards are on the table. Let commanders do their thing. Many expect the fall of Kismayu to be full of drama. Surprise awaits," Chirchir posted. Chirchir also criticised former Kenya National Commission of Human Rights commissioner Hassan Omar's comments that the intervention in Somalia is opaque in interest, rationale and objective. He said Amisom has no intention to overstay in Somalia and will leave as soon as Somalis are in control of their destiny.
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News Headline: Uganda: Parliament Grills Kiyonga Over Soldiers Pay | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: AllAfrica.com News Text: By Mary Karugaba and Henry Mukasa, Parliament has expressed concern over the ministry of defense's monthly deductions from UPDF officers in Somalia. Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi and Aswa MP Reagan Okumu told Parliament that they had received several complaints from the officers over the deductions.

According to the MPs, the ministry deducts US$208 monthly from the UPDF officers deployed in Somalia. UPDF officers in Somalia are paid US$1028 each per month and in case of death, the officer's family receives US$50,000 and in case of injury, the officer gets US$25,000. "The minister should explain why Government deducts the money given the important work they are doing in the country. That is a risky job," Okumu said. Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga explained that according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the government of Uganda and the African Union, they are a number of payments that AU does not meet. He said the money is part of the administration costs. "This contribution goes to the treasury and is used for administration purposes. For example when commanders visit the area or in case of death, the AU does not pay money towards the funeral expenses," he said. Kiyonga was also grilled over Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi's continuous escort by the military and not the Police. The MPs complained that unlike previous Prime Ministers, Mbabazi was using UPDF officers as his guards and fly a UPDF helicopter MP Odonga Otto told Parliament that it was unconstitutional for the prime minister to be guarded by the UPDF officers and to use the army helicopter when he is civilian. "Madam Speaker, is it in order for the Prime Minister to continue using UPDF escorts as if he is a military man yet the Police is well equipped and facilitated to do that?" Otto asked. Medard Ssegona said the role of the UPDF is clearly spelt out in the constitution and guarding civilian is not part of them. "if you want to the UPDF to provide security for civilians, you must amend the constitution," he said. Alice Alaso asked why the same privilege was not extended to the former Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi , the Chief Justice and Speaker of Parliament; the third most important person in Government. The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga refused to rule on the matter but rather bounced the question to the defence minister Kiyonga. Kiyonga defended the Prime Minister saying there is a way Government handles security of its citizens depending on the level of the threat. He explained that the UPDF has not only protected Mbabazi but other civilians and provided assistance in times of emergency. "In our view, they are other officials protected by the UPDF and not Mbabazi alone," he said.
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News Headline: Kenya president confirms Githae as finmin, shuffles cabinet | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: Reuters News Text: NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Monday confirmed the appointment of Robinson Githae as finance minister, a position he has held in an acting capacity since January, and announced several changes to the cabinet.

Politicians in the east African nation of 40 million have stepped up their rhetoric and have been forming alliances ahead of an election that must be held by March next year. Matters have been complicated by charges against two leading presidential contenders, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, at the International Criminal Court for their roles in the country's bloody post-election violence in 2008. While critics of the two want them to drop their bids to focus on defending themselves at the Hague, the president's Party of National Unity (PNU) want the charges to be deferred, to allow them to contest. "This is an Uhuru Kenyatta reshuffle. It is meant to situate his allies within important theatres to strengthen his position and that of the PNU people," said Mutahi Ngunyi, a Nairobi political analyst. Apart from Githae's confirmation, Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga sacked Najib Balala from the tourism post after he abandoned Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party this month. They also moved Mutula Kilonzo from the influential justice ministry to head the ministry of education and pushed Moses Wetangula to the ministry of trade from foreign affairs. Kilonzo, who angered Kenyatta's camp by stating that people facing charges at the ICC should not run for the presidency, was replaced with Eugene Wamalwa, a Kenyatta ally. "Wamalwa moves to the justice ministry because Mutula was a complication there. Wetangula as a foreign minister was also a complication because he is also a presidential candidate," Ngunyi said. Githae had been in charge of Treasury as well as the Nairobi metropolitan development docket since his appointment to replace Kenyatta, who quit as finance minister after he was indicted on crimes against humanity charges by the International Criminal Court. Traders said they did not expect markets to react to his confirmation, when trading opened on Tuesday. "Markets will be neutral on that," said Dickson Magecha, a currency trader at Standard Chartered. Githae got an early baptism of fire in his tenure at the Treasury after he told Reuters last month he had instructed the central bank not to let the shilling appreciate further than 82.00 against the dollar to support exporters. Markets were angered by the statement, which also sent the shilling lower, prompting him to row back and state that currency stability was more important than a particular level.
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News Headline: Angola: U.S. Africom Official Visits Country | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: AllAfrica.com News Text: Luanda The commander of the U.S. African Command (FRICOM), General Carter F. Ham, is due to visit Angola on 27 March, Angop learnt Monday from the embassy of the United States of America (USA) in a statement.

According to the communiqu, this is his first visit to Angola since he assumed the new duties on March 9, 2011, succeeding General William E. (Kip) Ward, at the AFRICOM Command, which is one of six U.S. geographic commands in the unified structure of the Department of Defence, based in Stuttgart, Germany. General Ham will hold meetings with Defence minister, General Candido Van-Dunem, the Chief of the Armed Forces, General Geraldo Sachipengo Nunda, and other high-ranking Angolan military authorities, who will address the current state of bilateral military relations, regional maritime and international security and the paths to an ever closer cooperation. Recently, high-ranking officers of the U.S. army namely Major General David R. Hogg, Commander the U.S. Army for Africa, the US Navy secretary Ray Mabus, ambassador James McGee, Political adviser of the U.S. Sixth Sea Fleet, as well as Robert Bradley ship with its crew visited Angola in the ambit of this cooperation. The US Department of Defence, through the Office of Military Attach in Angola, invested in 2011, about USD 1.7 million in programmes for the teaching of English, the fight against HIV/AIDS and assistance in building a clinic.
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News Headline: Somalia: Unknown Gunmen Shoot, Injure Journalist | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: AllAfrica.com News Text: New York The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Sunday's shooting of radio journalist Mohyadin Hassan Mohamed in the capital, Mogadishu, and calls on authorities to ensure his safety. Two unknown gunmen opened fire on Mohamed, the news director of Shabelle Media Network's radio station, as he walked home from work at around 6 p.m., news reports said. The journalist told CPJ that he ran after the gunmen began shooting at him, and that one bullet grazed his chest. Islamist insurgents Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the shooting, according to Somalimemo, a website that supports the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group. The group has also claimed responsibility for the 2010 murder of journalist Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey. Staff members at Shabelle Media Network, Somalia's largest media group, have been targeted in the past, CPJ research shows. The local police commander pledged to investigate the incident, local journalists told CPJ. "This attack on Mohyadin Hassan Mohamed is the latest example of the deteriorating press freedom climate in Somalia," said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. "Authorities must immediately ensure Mohamed's safety as well as the security of all journalists working in the country." Al-Shabaab has waged a campaign of terror and censorship against Somalia's independent press, including threats and abductions of journalists and forced closures of news outlets, CPJ research shows. Assailants have killed three journalists in Somalia this year alone, including the former Radio Shabelle Director Hassan Osman, who was shot dead in January near his home in Mogadishu. Over the past five years, six Radio Shabelle journalists have been killed in the line of duty, according to CPJ research.

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News Headline: Embattled junta calls on Tuareg rebels to hold talks | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: France 24 News Text: By News Wires Mali's junta appealed late Monday to Tuareg rebels in the country's north to suspend their campaign and hold talks with the new military leadership, which has come under intense pressure both at home and abroad to restore constitutional order. AFP - Mali's new military rulers launched a fresh appeal late Monday to Tuareg rebels advancing in the north of the country to halt their campaign and hold talks. The junta, facing mounting domestic and international pressure as the US froze aid and demonstrators protested the coup on the streets of the capital, broadcast its appeal on state television. "We call on them already to cease hostilities and to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible," said junta leader Captain Amadou Sanogo. "Everything is negotiable except national territorial integrity and the unity of our country," he added. Tuareg rebels in the vast north of the country have exploited the disarray caused by last week's coup and pushed on with their fight for independence of what they say is their traditional homeland. The Tuareg on Monday said the fall of the key town Kidal was "imminent", as they pushed on with their fight for independence. The junta had already suggested peace talks over the weekend, but to no immediate avail. The United States meanwhile announced it was following Europe, Canada and other countries in suspending aid to the west African nation. US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said aid would be frozen "pending a resolution of the situation on the ground". A key ally to Mali, the United States has helped it train soldiers to fight growing drug-trafficking and extremism. The United Nations Security Council joined the chorus of rebuke against the renegade soldiers who overthrew President Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22, demanding the officers return to their barracks. Inside the country too, patience was wearing thin with the new regime, as a united front of political parties and organisations staged a rally in front of the Bamako stock exchange. "We demand a return to constitutional order," and "Down with the putschists, long live democracy, long live Mali," read banners held up by the protesters who began their rally by singing the national anthem, some raising their fists. The demonstration fell on a national holiday celebrating the country's previous coup of March

26, 1991, when Toure led a band of soldiers to end the 23-year dictatorship of Moussa Traore. Having led the country to its first democratic polls a year later, Toure was considered a hero and was later democratically elected in 2002. He had been due to step down after serving two terms, following elections scheduled for April 29. Toure's whereabouts were unknown, however the junta has said he is safe and in good health, without specifying whether he has been detained. Life returned to normal in the capital Bamako, where shops re-opened and people ventured out after several tense days following the mutiny, during which some soldiers took part in looting. The junta announced a partial re-opening of the country's borders, mostly to allow the transport of basic goods into the country. They have urged all civil servants and private employees to return to their jobs on Tuesday. Tunisia's secretary of state Abadallah Triki was evacuated from the country along with 61 other citizens from France, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Senegal, according to the Tunisian government and TAP airline. Fourteen members of the toppled government, including the prime minister and foreign minister, launched a hunger strike on Sunday at the military barracks where they are being held in a small room, forced to sleep three to a mattress. The International Crisis Group on Monday urged the international community to act quickly, describing military rule as "a disaster for Mali and for all West Africa". The think-tank warned that key cities, including fabled Timbuktu, were at risk of falling to the Tuareg in their drive for independence in northern Mali. Their campaign has forced more than 200,000 people to flee the fighting since mid-January. The junta has said its coup was sparked by the regime's perceived weakness in the face of the Tuareg rebellion. Their last uprising was resolved in 2009, however after the recent return of heavily armed and battle-hardened Tuaregs who had fought for Libya's late leader Moamer Kadhafi, a fresh uprising broke out in January. Their lightning strikes on several northern towns have overwhelmed a relatively weak, illequipped army. On Sunday, the army said it had repelled an attack in Kidal, 1,000 kilometres (around 600 miles) from Bamako.
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News Headline: MCC Takes Action on Zambia, Malawi, Mali | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: AllAfrica.com News Text: Washington The U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) board of directors has voted to invest $350 million to help improve water infrastructure in Lusaka,

Zambia. Describing water system challenges as "one of Zambia's most binding constraints to economic growth," the MCC reports that the agreement approved at a March 22 meeting aims to expand Lusaka's water supply while also extending and improving water and sanitation networks. Decreasing flooding and providing more access to clean water and sanitation services are additional goals. "MCC investments are expected to have a meaningful impact on the lives of more than 1 million Lusaka residents," said MCC Chief Executive Officer Daniel W. Yohannes, "by improving their health and economic productivity and helping the country reduce poverty on a sustainable basis by enhancing water security." Yohannes congratulated the Zambian government for its effort to meet MCC's strict requirements for project planning and accountability, which determine a government's eligibility to win the agreement. The compact builds on more than 15 years of water-sector reform led by the Zambian government. In addition to infrastructure investments in water supply, sanitation and drainage, the MCC investment will support the government's efforts to build better institutions that have the capacity to improve the health and economic productivity of Lusaka residents and to help the country reduce poverty on a sustainable basis. In the same meeting, the MCC board of directors suspended its compact with Malawi and froze a planned $350 million investment in Malawi's power sector. The move came in response to a pattern of actions by the Malawian government that do not adhere to the terms of its MCC agreement to practice good governance and the pursuit of economic freedom. Yohannes said, "An MCC compact is a partnership, and the commitment to democratic rights, accountable government and sound economic management is fundamental to that partnership. In light of our ongoing concerns about democratic governance in Malawi, MCC has formally suspended the compact." Yohannes said the future of the compact depends on how the Malawian government may respond before the next MCC board meeting in June. The MCC board also discussed political developments in Mali, where the military has unseated the government of President Amadou Toumani Tour. MCC suspended its agreement with Mali with a March 22 announcement from Yohannes. "The unconstitutional actions taken by elements of the armed forces of Mali are in direct conflict with MCC's commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law," Yohannes said. The military's action was swiftly condemned by the African Union, the European Union and the United States. "We stand with the legitimately elected government of President Amadou Toumani Tour," said a March 22 statement from State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland. "Mali is a leading democracy in West Africa and its institutions must be respected." The World Bank and the African Development Bank also suspended aid to Mali in the aftermath of the coup. Elections are scheduled to be held in Mali in April.

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News Headline: Deaths as rival militias clash in Libya | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: Al Jazeera News Text: Clashes between rival militias in southern Libya have killed 20 people, a doctor at a regional hospital said, highlighting the challenge the government faces in imposing its authority months after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. A local doctor, Ibrahim Misbah, said on Monday that 20 fighters died of gunshot wounds and more than 40 people were wounded. Local council member Ahmed Abdelkadir said clashes first broke out on Sunday between former rebel fighters from Sabha, Libya's fourth largest city, and gunmen from the Tibu tribe after a Sabha man was killed in a dispute over a car. He said the militias opened fire at each other on the outskirts of Sabha. "The numbers are from the Sabha side only. The Tibu wounded are being taken to a different hospital," Misbah said by phone. Sabha fighter Oweidat al-Hifnawi said the fighting centered around the airport road and that at one point Tibu fighters controlled the entrance of the airport. "The airport is now under our control but it is not functioning at the moment," Hifnawi said. A witness added that the tail of an airplane on the tarmac was hit in the fighting. It was not immediately possible to reach the Tibu side. Asserting power The clashes come as the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) struggles to assert its authority across Libya, where rival militias and tribal groups are jostling for power and resources following the fall of Gaddafi. "The situation is very dangerous and sensitive. We are following the situation and the army chief is working on sending a defence team to Sabha," deputy interior minister Omar alKhadrawi told Libyan television. The NTC is hampered by the lack of a coherent national army and has struggled to persuade the myriad militias who fought Gaddafi to put down their guns and join the armed forces and police. Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, NTC chief, agreed on Monday with critics that his government is not providing strong enough leadership. "I am not satisfied with the performance of the government or the NTC, because it is too slow in making decisions and is weak and lacks confidence in its decision making," Abdul-Jalil told The Associated Press news agency during a visit to the eastern city of Benghazi. Last month dozens of people were killed in days of clashes between tribes in the far southeastern province of Al Kufra.

Government security forces eventually intervened to stop the fighting in a rare example of the Tripoli bureaucracy imposing its authority. Abdul-Jalil said incompetent ministers may be dismissed in the coming months, but he gave no specifics. A 200-member assembly to be elected in June has the job of appointing new cabinet ministers.
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News Headline: United Nations News Service | News Date: 03/27/2012 Outlet Full Name: UN News Service News Text: UN concerned over refugee safety as fighting persists near South Sudan-Sudan border The United Nations refugee agency today voiced concern over recurring fighting near the Yida refugee settlement in South Sudan, close to the border with Sudan, saying the clashes are putting residents of the camp at risk. UN calls for respect of civilians and aid agencies as mortar attacks continue in Mogadishu The United Nations refugee agency today called for respect of civilian life and humanitarian agencies in Mogadishu as mortar attacks continued in the Somali capital yesterday, leading to the deaths of three people. UN tribunal refers case of fugitive genocide suspect to Rwanda court The United Nations tribunal trying key suspects implicated in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda today ordered the case of an indicted suspect who remains at large be referred to the Rwandan High Court for trial. UN chief deeply concerned' over military clashes on Sudan-South Sudan border Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about the military clashes in the border region of Sudan and South Sudan, and calls on their Governments to fully respect and implement the agreements they have already reached on security, border monitoring and the disputed area of Abyei, Mr. Ban's spokesperson said today. With presidential poll now over, Ban urges Senegalese leaders to work together 26 March Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the outgoing President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, and Macky Sall, the reported winner of the presidential run-off poll, to work together in the coming days in the interest of the country
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