标签： Africa

JUBA, South Sudan — A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in South Sudan’s conflict-ravaged Jonglei State as major aid organizations warn that government restrictions and intensified fighting are preventing life-saving assistance from reaching vulnerable populations. The situation has triggered alarms at the United Nations and among international humanitarian agencies about potential mass violence and a slide back into full-scale war.

The International Rescue Committee confirmed the suspension of critical services due to ‘intensified fighting and the militarization of key areas,’ according to country director Richard Orengo. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that the South Sudanese government has suspended all humanitarian flights, severing supply lines for medical equipment, staff mobility, and emergency medical evacuations. The organization identified at least 23 critically ill patients, including children and pregnant women, requiring urgent evacuation currently impossible under the flight ban.

The World Food Program issued dire warnings that escalating violence threatens food assistance for hundreds of thousands of people. This comes as nearly 60% of Jonglei’s population faces crisis-level hunger ahead of the rainy season, which traditionally cuts off access roads. The preemptive delivery of aid has been prevented by ongoing hostilities.

Civilians are enduring the devastating consequences of renewed clashes between government forces and opposition fighters loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) under Riek Machar. Reports indicate homes destroyed, civilians killed in crossfire, and families repeatedly displaced. Opposition forces, alongside allied ‘White Army’ fighters, have recently gained ground against government troops.

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan expressed ‘grave alarm’ over inflammatory rhetoric from a senior army commander who urged troops to ‘spare no lives’—language the opposition characterizes as ‘an early indicator of genocidal intent.’ Government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny dismissed the comments as ‘uncalled for’ and ‘a slip of the tongue.’

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities, civilian protection, and guaranteed humanitarian access, emphasizing that South Sudan’s crisis demands political rather than military solutions. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the renewed conflict has displaced over 230,000 people since December.

This escalating violence places South Sudan’s fragile 2018 peace agreement under severe strain and intensifies political tensions ahead of the country’s first general election scheduled for December, raising concerns about further destabilization in the region.

ABUJA, Nigeria — In a landmark judicial proceeding, nine individuals allegedly responsible for a devastating assault in north-central Nigeria faced formal charges before a federal court on Monday. The defendants stand accused of perpetrating an attack that resulted in over 150 fatalities in Yelewata, a community within Benue state’s Guma area, during June of last year.

Prosecutors have filed 57 distinct counts of terrorism against the accused, who entered unanimous ‘not guilty’ pleas during their arraignment. Nigerian justice authorities indicate conviction could carry maximum penalties of either life imprisonment or capital punishment.

This judicial action emerges against the backdrop of Nigeria’s escalating multidimensional security emergency, characterized by Islamic militant insurgencies in northeastern territories and rampant kidnap-for-ransom operations plaguing northwest and north-central zones. The Yelewata massacre exemplifies the intensifying farmer-herder conflicts over scarce land and water resources that have turned increasingly lethal as combatants militarize.

Presidential representative Kamarudeen Ogundele characterized the investigation as ‘painstaking,’ emphasizing interagency collaboration in a Sunday statement. ‘The office of the Attorney General wishes to assure Nigerians that justice will be ensured in this matter to send a strong signal to the country’s enemies, acting under any disguise,’ Ogundele declared.

The case develops alongside international security engagements, including December U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State-affiliated militants in northern Nigeria. These operations addressed concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to protect Christian communities facing heightened church attacks. The United States has committed to delivering previously purchased military equipment—including drones, helicopters, and support systems—to bolster Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities, though delivery remains pending after five years.

Dubai has significantly enhanced its international standing, achieving dual recognition in the recently published Global Power City Index (GPCI) 2025. The emirate ascended to fourth position among global tourist destinations, moving up from fifth place, while simultaneously securing ninth place overall in the comprehensive power city rankings.

The Mori Memorial Foundation’s annual report attributes Dubai’s tourism advancement to its continuous expansion of retail and culinary offerings. The city boasts an unparalleled shopping ecosystem featuring monumental centers like The Dubai Mall—which recorded 111 million visitors in 2024—alongside distinctive destinations including The Mall of the Emirates, Gold Souk, and Dragon Mart.

Tourism metrics substantiate this growth, with Dubai welcoming 9.88 million international visitors during the first half of 2025, representing a 6% increase year-over-year. This performance positioned Dubai ahead of numerous global capitals including New York, Madrid, Sydney, and Hong Kong in tourist appeal, while London, Tokyo, and Paris maintained the top three positions.

The index evaluates urban centers across six critical dimensions: economic vitality, research & development, cultural interaction, livability, environmental quality, and accessibility. Dubai demonstrated particular strength in accessibility, ranking third globally for international flight connectivity, bolstered by the expansive networks of Emirates and flydubai airlines.

Economically, Dubai achieved remarkable progress, jumping from 42nd to 10th place in GDP growth rate rankings. This acceleration reflects successful regional economic diversification efforts, with recent data showing a 5.3% GDP growth in Q3 2025 and 4.7% growth through the first nine months.

The city also garnered elite recognition from business communities, ranking fourth worldwide in corporate location desirability due to improved workplace options and startup ecosystem development. For globally mobile skilled professionals, Dubai secured seventh position in the evaluation.

The comprehensive ranking placed Dubai ahead of Berlin, Copenhagen, Beijing, and Melbourne, with only eight cities worldwide ranking higher in overall power index scores.

Dozens of kidnapped worshippers have safely returned to their communities in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state following a violent abduction last month, according to official police confirmation. The victims were part of a larger group of 177 individuals seized by armed gunmen during coordinated raids on three churches in the remote village of Kurmin Wali.

Police spokesperson Mansur Hassan revealed to BBC that approximately 80 hostages managed to escape their captors on the very day of the kidnapping. However, these individuals remained hidden in neighboring villages for two weeks due to overwhelming fear of being recaptured. Authorities continue efforts to secure the release of the remaining 86 hostages still held by the unidentified armed group.

The initial police response drew significant criticism from human rights organizations after officials initially denied the abduction occurred. Amnesty International condemned what it called “desperate denial” by Nigerian authorities and urged immediate action to address the escalating kidnapping crisis that has become increasingly normalized across the country.

This incident reflects broader security challenges plaguing Africa’s most populous nation. Nigeria faces multiple overlapping crises including Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, and persistent conflicts between herders and farmers in central regions. Security experts attribute the worsening situation to systemic corruption, inadequate intelligence sharing, and severely underfunded local police forces.

The security situation has attracted international attention, with the United States conducting airstrikes against Islamist militant camps in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day. Former President Donald Trump subsequently warned of additional military action if attacks against Christian communities continued.

Nigeria’s complex demographic landscape, with over 250 ethnic groups and a roughly divided Muslim north and Christian south, adds layers of complexity to the security crisis. The government maintains that individuals of all faiths have suffered from the widespread violence affecting the nation.