Cameroon crisis worsens poverty in Nigeria host communities: Catholic Church

The Catholic Church in Nigeria says the continued influx of Cameroon refugees into Nigeria’s Cross River State was worsening the poverty situation in host communities.

According to Caritas Nigeria, a wing of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), poor communities were suffering from the burden of hosting fleeing Cameroonians.

Head of Caritas Nigeria, Rev. Fr Evaristus Bassey, in a press statement said the Anglophone crisis in south and northwest Cameroon was beyond the political and security parameters, posing a huge humanitarian condition.

Congo seeks to expel Rwandan refugees

Rwandan refugees in the Republic of Congo are a worried lot. They had up to December 31 last year to either secure legal residency, return home or risk losing protection after the cessation date.

They fled their country following the 1994 genocide that left almost one million people killed.

Since the end of their refugee status, they say they are continuously harassed by security forces who threaten them with expulsion.

UN launches fresh appeal fund for Boko Haram victims

More than one billion dollars in funding are needed this year to support 6.1 million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s restive north east.

The appeal was made by the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria who says 70 percent of last year’s appeal in funding was met, making Nigeria ‘one of the best-funded appeals globally.’

“The carryover from 2017 HRP to the 2018 HRP is estimated at 196 million dollars. This means this sum has already effectively been raised and allocated to the 2018 HRP. We estimate however that most of this carryover will be exhausted in the first quarter of the year

Ramaphosa pursues "pressing matters" in push for Zuma exit

African National Congress (ANC) leader Cyril Ramaphosa pulled out of public events to focus on “pressing matters” on Friday, fuelling speculation that Ramaphosa was making a final push to force Jacob Zuma to step down as South Africa’s head of state.

Zuma, in power since 2009 and battling corruption allegations, has been living on borrowed time since Ramaphosa replaced him as leader of the ruling party in December.

Ramaphosa and members of the ANC’s ‘Top Six’ most powerful officials had been due to visit Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and supporters at various events in Cape Town. But an ANC spokesman said they would not participate in those events due to “other pressing matters”.

Libya: Benghazi mosque bombing leaves one dead, over 30 wounded

One person was killed and 37 wounded by a twin bombing inside a mosque in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Friday, medics said.

The blasts occurred during Friday prayers at the small mosque located in the Majouri district, residents said. The devices appear to have been activated remotely using a mobile phone, according to a military source.

Two weeks ago, around 35 people were killed by a twin bombing at another mosque in Benghazi.