Tag: UN

As UN targeted by Islamists in Mali, Bishops urge renewed peace efforts

October 9, 2014 Mali Ansar Dine, Bamako, Gao, Kidal, Mali, MNLA, MUJAO, Timbuktu, UN

The UN Mission in Mali honors nine Nigerien peacekeepers killed on 3 October 2014.UN Photo/Marco Dormino While the world’s attention is fixed on IS in Syria and Iraq, it’s easy to forget that last year, French troops were rushed to Mali to prevent a jihadist-influenced coup that threatened to . . . Read More

Arab churches’ key contribution to Iraqi relief

October 1, 2014 Iraq Ankawa, Erbil, Islamic State, Trauma, UN, Yazidis

Members of Kasr el-Dobara church in Egypt, shown in 2012, have given generously to support refugees in Iraq.World Watch Monitor As a coalition of Western and Arab countries continues military action to try to defeat Islamic State (IS), it’s timely to hear how the region’s largest Christian minority – . . . Read More

UN urged to protect Syria’s civilians

September 25, 2014 Syria Bashar al-Assad, Islamic State, Syria, Trauma, UN

Open Doors International, a global charity serving Christians who are under pressure because of their faith, has joined 38 non-governmental organizations in a campaign demanding diplomatic action to protect civilians amid Syria’s civil war. The campaign, called ‘With Syria,’ intends to redouble pressure on United Nations members to live up . . . Read More

‘One week’ deadlines for Iraqi Christians to convert or ‘face the sword’

August 22, 2014 Iraq Alqosh, Ankawa, Assyrians, Bartella, Dohuk, Erbil, Iraq, Islamic State, Qaraqosh, Trauma, UN

A Christian Iraqi refugee sweeping the concrete floor of the unfinished building where she now lives. Ankawa; August 20 2014World Watch Monitor An Iraqi Christian Mikha Qasha, fleeing from Qaraqosh, has given a personal account of members of the Islamic State, IS, coming to his house and threatening him . . . Read More

UN troops on their way to CAR

August 20, 2014 Central African Republic Central African Republic, UN

More than 7,000 UN peacekeeping troops are expected to arrive in the Central African Republic on Sept. 15, according to the UN’s envoy to CAR. The quotes Babacar Gaye as saying the soldiers will represent nearly two-thirds of the 12,000 troops authorized by the UN in April to thwart the . . . Read More

CAR President names country’s first ever Muslim Prime Minister

August 12, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bambari, Bangui, Bossangoa, Catherine Samba-Panza, Central African Republic, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Oumar Kobine Layama, Seleka, UN

Portrait of a Fulani woman and her children in Central African Republic. May 19, 2014World Watch Monitor The President of the Central African Republic has replaced the Christian Prime Minister with a Muslim as part of a peace deal to end deadly violence that has ravaged the country for . . . Read More

CAR archbishop hopeful, cautious about cease-fire

August 1, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Genocide, Seleka, UN

Dieudonné Nzapalainga, archbishop of BanguiCourtesy of Open Doors International Armed groups in the Central African Republic have reached a cease-fire deal aimed at putting an end to the violence that has engulfed the country since March 2013. The 10-part agreement was signed July 23 in Brazzaville, the capital of . . . Read More

Grenade attack on Central African Republic church

May 29, 2014 Central African Republic Bangui, Central African Republic, Islamic extremism, Seleka, UN

Militant Islamists poured grenades and gunfire into a Catholic church compound in the Central African Republic capital of Bangui on Wednesday, killing an undetermined number of people, including a priest. The Associated Press said its journalists counted five bodies at local hospitals, but also cited a priest who estimated as . . . Read More

Sudanese pregnant mother sentenced to death for ‘apostasy’

May 14, 2014 Sudan Apostasy, Mariam Ibrahim, UN

Western Embassies have expressed deep concern for a Sudanese woman pregnant with her second child, who has been sentenced to death in Khartoum, for ‘apostasy’ [converting to Christianity] as well as to 100 lashes for committing adultery. Mariam Yahia Ibrahim, who is 27-years-old and 8-months pregnant with her second child, . . . Read More

South Sudan’s fragile peace deal still threatens famine

May 13, 2014 South Sudan Darfur, Dinka, Juba, Nuer, Riek Machar, Salva Kiir, South Sudan, SPLM-N, Sudan, UN

Three years after gaining independence, the rebel movement that propelled South Sudan into statehood has degenerated into ethnic bloodletting verging on civil war. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has agreed to form an interim government with his political adversary, Riek Machar following pressure from the United Nations Secretary General Ban . . . Read More

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