CNN: A distress call from Africa’s Sahel: Millions might starve – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent a distress call this week to the international community, “declaring that more than 6 million people are at risk of hunger in the Sahel region of Africa, including more than a million children exposed to severe malnutrition.” Amadou Diallo, Niger’s minister for food security, blamed the “alarming situation on poor harvests, widespread drought and soaring food prices.” (Erick Kaglan)
AP: Malawi Says No Sudanese Leader, AU Says No Summit – Malawi won’t host an African Union summit next month after a dispute over the country’s refusal to host Sudan’s leader, Omar-al-Bashir, who faces war crime charges. Malawi’s government had received a letter from the AU warning that the country had “no right to dictate who could attend the AU summit set to open July 6,” and that if they insisted on banning al-Bashir, the summit would take place in Ethiopia. Malawi’s President, Joyce Banda, explained that “a visit by Sudan’s president would be frowned upon by Malawi’s international donors.”
Devex: Allow aid access or face ‘severe sanctions’ – 89 organizations have asked the U.N. Security Council to “not back down” on imposing sanctions against Sudan if the government refuses to end the violence in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile States by June 14. On Monday, June 4, Sudan suspended several aid groups from operating in these regions, which has the potential to “exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the African nation.” (Jenny Lei Ravelo)
Financial Times: S Africa: Gloomy numbers add to mood of uncertainty – As the African National Congress prepares for a key conference this month, South Africa faces political uncertainty and the eurozone crisis, which is weighing heavily on manufacturers and general sentiment. The South African Chamber of Commerce reported that “the unstable and weakening economic circumstances both abroad and domestically, pose serious challenges to the business environment and business confidence in South Africa.” (Andrew England)
