“Cry for justice and accountability” in South Sudan

The people of South Sudan are crying out for “justice and accountability” for the crimes they have suffered, according to the UN Commission on Human Rights for the country. Three members of the Commission have just finished a visit to the troubled African state. They found that no progress has been made in punishing those responsible for crimes during the more than two-year civil war there. Ratomir Petrovic is in the South Sudanese capital Juba and has been speaking to the chairperson of the Commission, Yasmin Sooka.

Reconciliation an “unfinished business” in Liberia

The reconciliation of former foes in Liberia following years of civil war and conflict is an “unfinished business” according to a senior UN peacekeeping official. Two months ago, the West African country assumed full security responsibilities from the UN mission in Liberia, UNMIL, a process which has been described as a “huge achievement.” El-Ghassim Wane, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, has just spent two weeks in Liberia. In the capital Monrovia, Russel Geekie asked him for his impressions.

Enforcing building codes critical to disaster risk reduction in East Africa

Developing and enforcing building codes could help East African countries to better withstand the effects of earthquakes, floods and other catastrophes. That’s according to a UN expert on disaster risk reduction, speaking in the aftermath of the magnitude 5.9 quake which struck Tanzania on September 10th. At least 16 people died in the disaster while 840 buildings were destroyed;. more than 1,200 other structures were damaged. Amjad Abbashar heads the UN’s regional office for disaster risk reduction, known as UNISDR, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Assumpta Massoi began by asking him if the Tanzania earthquake was a rare phenomenon.

Presenter: Daniel Dickinson

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10’00?

Source: United Nations Radio