The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to resume the mandate of the UN Mission within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for an additional 12 months. The Mission, referred to as MONUSCO, has been within the nation for 20 years and is within the technique of drawing down. MONUSCO will stay there till 20 December 2024 with a core mandate that features defending civilians, supporting safety sector reform, and helping in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes. ### Elections and insecurity The Council vote got here on the eve of basic elections within the DRC and amid escalating insecurity within the east associated to the M23 insurgent group, in addition to within the Greater Katanga area and in Mai-Ndombe and Tshopo provinces. Soundcloud The decision was tabled by France and acquired the backing by all 15 international locations that comprise the Council membership. It acknowledges Congolese efforts in the direction of defending and respecting human rights and basic freedoms whereas demanding that armed teams “cease immediately all forms of violence, other destabilising activities and the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources”. The M23 are additionally urged to halt any additional advances. The Council reaffirmed that the elimination of the risk posed by armed teams requires an built-in regional method and robust political engagement. Members additionally referred to as on the Congolese Government to cooperate totally with MONUSCO personnel and guarantee their security and safety through the withdrawal course of. At the outset of the assembly, the Council stood and noticed a minute of silence in honour of the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who died on Saturday.  © UNHCR/Ala Kheir People displaced by battle in Sudan cross over the border to South Sudan. ## UNHCR warns of deepening displacement in Sudan The UN refugee company, UNHCR, continues to sound the alarm over the battle in Sudan, the place displacement is deepening as tons of of hundreds extra individuals flee the most recent combating in central Al Jazirah State, southeast of the capital, Khartoum. UNHCR additionally voiced concern over stories of an escalation within the battle within the Darfur area, the place renewed combating in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Saturday, resulted in civilian casualties, accidents and additional displacement, adopted by looting of properties and retailers, and arrests of youth. An aerial assault was additionally reported in Nyala in South Darfur, inflicting casualties and the destruction of properties. Meanwhile, heavy combating – together with airstrikes and shootings – was reported on the outskirts of Wad Madani, capital of Al Jazarih State, on Friday, which has now reached the city. Over half 1,000,000 individuals had fled there from Khartoum after battle between rival navy forces first broke out in mid- April. ### Dire humanitarian scenario UNHCR Spokesperson William Spindler stated the most recent bout of combating has sparked panic amongst civilians in Wad Madani and folks have been seen leaving in autos and on foot, some for the second time in mere months. Between 250,000 and 300,000 have fled the city and surrounding areas for the reason that clashes started, in line with UN migration company IOM. Mr. Spindler stated UNHCR is working to ship and distribute urgently wanted core aid objects to the individuals newly displaced from Al Jazirah to Sennar and Gedaref States. “Despite efforts by national and international humanitarian organizations and local actors to provide assistance, the overall humanitarian situation remains dire,” he warned. The battle that erupted in April between the Sudanese Army and a rival militia referred to as the Rapid Support Forces has pressured greater than seven million individuals in Sudan to flee their properties, together with to hunt shelter in neighbouring international locations, a lot of whom have been repeatedly uprooted. UNHCR are very anxious that if the combating additional escalates and spreads to White Nile State, it may considerably impression the work of humanitarian organizations supporting over 437,000 South Sudanese refugees and a few 433,000 internally displaced Sudanese there. ## Sharp enhance in journalists killed in battle zones: UNESCO 2023 has been a very lethal 12 months for journalists who work in battle zones, with killings nearly doubling in comparison with the previous three years, The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stated on Tuesday. Furthermore, the previous three months have already been the deadliest quarter for journalists in battle zones since no less than 2007, with 27 deaths. Tweet URL > UNESCO This 12 months, 65 journalists have been killed within the line of obligation, in comparison with 88 in 2022. However, UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay stated this total drop conceals a really alarming phenomenon: the sharp enhance within the quantity killed in battle zones. ### Gaza battle toll At least 38 journalists and others who work in media have been killed in international locations in battle this 12 months, in comparison with 28 in 2022 and 20 in 2021. Most of those conflict-related killings occurred within the ongoing hostilities within the Middle East, with UNESCO having thus far reported 19 killings in Palestine, three in Lebanon and two in Israel since 7 October. Afghanistan, Cameroon, Syria and Ukraine additionally every noticed no less than two killings. The figures don’t embrace deaths of journalists and media staff in circumstances unrelated to their occupation, which UNESCO stated have additionally been reported in important numbers in 2023.

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