UN Chief calls for Humanitarian Corridor in Tigray, Ethiopia

The secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has called for humanitarian corridors to be opened in Ethiopia’s Tigray region to assist civilians caught in the fighting.

Africa News reports that Guterres had noted that Ethiopian authorities have rejected all attempts at mediation. The UN chief warned of a “dramatic humanitarian impact” in Ethiopia as well as in neighboring Sudan, where 200 000 people are expected to flee to. Sudan already hosts a million refugees from African countries.

Aid agencies have no access to the conflict zone. They fear that thousands of civilians may have been killed since fighting erupted early in November. At least 33 000 refugees have already crossed Ethiopia’s border into Sudan.

Meanwhile, according to Africa News, the African Union on Friday named Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mozambique; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former president of Liberia; and Kgalema Motlanthe, former president of South Africa, as its envoys to Ethiopia. The three former heads of state are travel to Addis Ababa to try to de-escalate the conflict situation in Tigray state.

Umm Muhammed Umar

The Media Lens

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 1 May 2024 | 12:06 SAST 1-minute read Journalism professors from United States universities have penned a letter demanding accountability from the New York Times for the article alleging sexual violence by Hamas on October...

Global Report on Food Crises: increase in number of people facing hunger

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 01 May 2024 | 08:17 SAST 1-minute read The recently released Global Report on Food Crisis 2024 emphasises the monumental task of achieving the goal of eradicating hunger by 2030. According to the report, nearly 282 million...

The Africa Report

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 30 April 2024 | 12:48 SAST 1-minute read Technology giant Apple has been accused of using illegally exploited minerals extracted from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in its products. The broader issue of mineral...

Uncertainty ahead of elections, latest Ipsos poll shows

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 30 April 2024 | 11:33 a.m SAST 2-minute read More than thirty percent of South Africans remain undecided about their vote, the latest Ipsos political polling research indicates. This indecision stems not from apathy, but from...

Cape Town mayor proposes expanding the mandate of Metro Police to combat crime

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za 29 April 2024 | 22:10 SAST 1-minute read The mayor's initiative aims to empower Metro Police with additional investigative powers, a move within the jurisdiction traditionally held by SAPS. Proponents of the plan argue that...

Rise Mzansi faces backlash from the Jewish community over support for Palestine

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 29 April 2024 | 08:45 CAT Political newcomer Rise Mzansi, led by Songezo Zibi, has defended its position on Israel's war on Gaza amid allegations of "anti-Israel" sentiments within the party. The party emphasises a...