06/19/2013 15:15 GMT

by Serge Daniel

BAMAKO, June 19, 2013 (AFP) - The clock is ticking for Mali as it scrambles to organise key elections in less than 40 days following a ceasefire deal between the government and separatist Tuareg rebels.

The agreement, reached on Tuesday after 10 days of tense negotiations, will enable Malian troops to enter the Tuareg-held city of Kidal in the northeast to secure polls scheduled to take place on July 28.

From WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin

ROME – For over two years, the world has witnessed millions of Syrians fleeing their homes, escaping from violence in search of a safe haven. Many families have been forced to move more than once, bringing only what they can carry. The needs of conflict-affected Syrians are huge, almost too big to comprehend: by the end of the year, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) aims to provide food assistance to seven million people, most of whom are either internally displaced or taking refuge in neighbouring countries.

06/19/2013 02:29 GMT

by Romaric Ollo HIEN

OUAGADOUGOU, June 19, 2013 (AFP) - Mali's government signed a ceasefire accord with Tuareg rebels Tuesday, paving the way for presidential elections in the troubled west African state next month.

The agreement, reached after 10 days of tense negotiations, will enable Malian troops to enter the Tuareg-held city of Kidal in the northeast to secure polls scheduled to take place on July 28.

Bert Koenders, le Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général et chef de la MINUSMA, se félicite de la signature d'un accord préliminaire à l’élection présidentielle et aux pourparlers inclusifs de paix entre le Gouvernement du Mali, le Mouvement national pour la libération de l'Azawad (MNLA) et le Haut Conseil pour l'unité de l'Azawad, le 18 Juin à Ouagadougou, au Burkina Faso.

La FIDH, l’AMDH et l’UIDH sont préoccupées par la teneur des négociations en cours à Ouagadougou pour le contrôle de la région de Kidal entre les autorités maliennes et les groupes touaregs, et particulièrement par la possible amnistie pour les crimes perpétrés envisagée par le projet en discussion ; et appellent à la conclusion d’un accord sans ignorer la justice et les victimes.

Le Secrétaire général de l'ONU, Ban Ki-moon, a annoncé lundi la nomination du général Jean Bosco Kazura, du Rwanda, comme Commandant de la force de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA).

SC/11035

Security Council
6980th Meeting (AM)

The Security Council today, condemning all human rights violations against children in situations of armed conflict, and demanding that all relevant parties immediately stop such violations, reaffirmed its commitment to take targeted steps to deal with persistent perpetrators of those abuses.

17-06-2013 Facts and Figures

The ICRC operated against the background of a mass influx of Malian refugees in the Tahoua area and the return to the Agadez area of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who have been deported from Libya.

Support for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa deported from Libya (with the Red Cross Society of Niger)

The ICRC:

Good seasonal progression in the Bi-modal and Guinean - Sudanian zones

KEY MESSAGES

• Normal to above - normal rainfall levels fell over the southwestern corner of the region (Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau), marking a timely onset of the rains in this part of West Africa .