May 17, 2013

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum today presents the report of the International Conference on Transitional Justice in Zimbabwe which took place from the 4th to the 6th of October 2012. The conference was organised to bring together various stakeholders to deliberate on the way forward for transitional justice in Zimbabwe.

Political and Security South-central:

On 6 May, Al Shabab fighters ambushed the Raskambooni police base in Dobley town.
The armed clashes lasted more than half an hour and one Raskambooni soldier died during the attack and three others were seriously injured. Two days later, the militants launched another hit and run attack against the Somali government forces manning a checkpoint at Shaqalaha neighborhood on the exit road to Afmadow west of Kismayo.

No casualties were reported. Tension remains high in Dobley and its surrounding areas.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation - Thu, 16 May 2013 10:15 AM

By Isaiah Esipisu

NAIROBI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The future of cassava, one of the most climate-resilient crops in Africa, may be under threat because rising temperatures have led to a dramatic increase in the number of whiteflies, tiny insects that spread the deadly cassava brown streak virus.

Read the full article on AlertNet

NAIROBI, 16 May 2013 (IRIN) - Pastoralism is often regarded as an antiquated practice ill-suited to the modern economy, yet trade between pastoral communities in Africa - much of it informal and illegal - generated an estimated US$1 billion each year, according to a new book [ http://www.future-agricultures.org/pastoralism/7666-book-pastoralism-and... ] published by the Futures Agriculture Consortium,.

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R2P Monitor:

» Provides background on populations at risk of mass atrocity crimes, with particular emphasis on key events and actors and their connection to the threat, or commission, of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

» Offers analysis of the country’s past history in relation to mass atrocity crimes; the factors that have enabled their possible commission, or that prevent their resolution; and the receptivity of the situation to positive influences that would assist in preventing further crimes.

Heavy rains continued for a second week across previously dry areas in western Ethiopia and South Sudan.

1) Poorly distributed and significantly below average seasonal rainfall has resulted in deteriorating ground conditions since January. This has negatively impacted crops and livestock throughout many parts of southern Angola and northern Namibia.

Somalia’s main rainy season (Gu) began in mid March. While bringing relief to dry conditions, the intense rains have led to flooding, crop damage and displacements. Flash floods were reported in Baidoa and Jowhar and strong rains in the Ethiopian highlands led to increased water levels along the Juba and Shabelle rivers. River embankment openings and breakages have led to localized flooding. The most affected areas include parts of Middle and Lower Shabelle and Bay region.