While the residents of Uror Country continue to be plagued by cattle raids, revenge killings, and the mobilization of armed youth, the region has become a major destination for displaced families seeking to return and rebuild their lives.
This makes efforts to strengthen protection of civilians more important than ever and is why peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan provided intensive training for 30 local leaders, members of organized forces, civil society groups and the displaced communities themselves.
“The training enhanced understanding among key stakeholders, including traditional chiefs, the armed forces, police, youth and women about their roles and how to prevent conflict early, particularly through dialogue, to avoid the situation deteriorating into a much bigger problem,” explained Uror County Commissioner, James Gatkhor Gatluak.
Civil society representative, Nyaluol Chol, stressed the need for civilians to be protected from ambushes while travelling along roads as well as in particular villages where armed attacks have been prevalent.
“Women are the backbone of our families and have an important role in engaging positively and effectively to protect them as well as provide a more secure environment for our whole community. That is what we are committed to.”
The focus of the training was on understanding the drivers of conflict, how to monitor and report threats, strengthening early warning systems to prevent the outbreak of violence, and creating a safe environment for host communities as well as returnees. It also addressed the need for improved coordination between security forces and community leaders.
“We shared new ideas about the protection mechanisms that are being used to protect civilians,” said UNMISS Protection, Transition and Reintegration officer, Peter Wiseh. “While it is the primary role of the Government of South Sudan to provide security for its people, we are here to reinforce and enhance those efforts through direct action as well as capacity building.” By Mach Samuel, UNMISS
UN human rights experts called on the Tanzanian government to immediately cease the use of enforced disappearances on Friday. They expressed grave concern over a growing pattern of violence, repression, and abuse in Tanzania targeting opposition members, youth leaders, and human rights advocates.
In yesterday’s call to action, the experts “urge Tanzanian authorities to stop concealing information about those arrested, as this constitutes enforced disappearance.” They also condemned the government’s restrictions on press and media freedom, warning that intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders must end. These actions are taking place as part of a broader government crackdown, ahead of Tanzania’s upcoming general election in October.
Tanzania is facing growing international condemnation for its continued use of enforced disappearance to suppress political opposition, journalists, and human rights defenders. This practice directly violates its obligations under international human rights conventions.
In October 2024, opposition leader Aisha Machano was abducted and later released with serious injuries. According to her account, the abductors identified themselves as the Police Force. In April 2025, Tundu Lissu, chairman of the opposition party Chadema, was arbitrary arrested after posting on social media about possible election tampering.
Human Rights Watch has also highlighted ongoing arbitrary arrests and harassment. Police in the city of Tanga reportedly detained Chadema official Kombo Twaha Mbwana beyond the legally permitted 24 hours. Amnesty International has echoed these concerns, stating that enforced disappearance and excessive use of force continued to be used as tools to suppress dissent.
Tanzania is a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. The Convention prohibits enforced disappearance under any circumstances. It defines the practice as the arrest, detention, abduction, or any other form of deprivation of liberty by state agents or persons acting on their behalf. Specifically, Article 24 of the Convention obliges states to ensure justice and reparations for victims, including access to legal, psychological, and medical support. Ellie Cho | U. Ottawa Faculty of Law, CA, Jurist News
Emergency workers walk amid buildings that were damaged after an overnight strike on June 14, 2025 in Ramat Gan, Israel. Picture: Getty
By Ella Bennett - LBC
Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel, killing at least three people and wounding dozens. Israel's assault used planes as well as drones smuggled into the country in advance, according to officials, to assault key facilities and kill senior generals and scientists.
Iran's UN ambassador said 78 people had been killed and more than 320 wounded in the attacks that targeted the heart of Tehran's nuclear programme.
Israel claims the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon.
The Israeli military urged civilians to head for cover in bomb shelters around the country from late on Friday as Iran retaliated by launching waves of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel.
Israel's military said more drones were intercepted near the Dead Sea early Saturday. A hospital in Tel Aviv treated seven people wounded in the second Iranian barrage. All but one of them had light injuries. Israel's Fire and Rescue Services said they were wounded when a projectile hit a building in the city. A spokesperson for Beilinson Hospital said one woman was killed.
Hours later, an Iranian missile struck near homes in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion, killing two more people and wounding 19, according to Israel's paramedic service Magen David Adom. Israel's Fire and Rescue service said four homes were severely damaged.
A man inspects the debris at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran south of Tel Aviv. Picture: GettyPeople look beyond a barrier toward buildings heavily damaged after an overnight strike. Picture: Getty
Meanwhile, the sound of explosions and air defence systems firing at targets echoed across central Tehran shortly after midnight on Saturday.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported a fire at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. A video posted on X showed a column of smoke and flames rising from what the outlet said was the airport.
The Israeli military said it carried out overnight strikes on dozens of targets including air defences "in the area of Tehran".
Traces of projectiles are seen in the sky on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Picture: Getty
Countries in the region condemned Israel's attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate de-escalation from both sides.
Israel had long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Iran's dispersed and hardened nuclear programme.
But developments triggered by Hamas's October 7 2023 attack - plus the re-election of US President Donald Trump - created conditions that allowed Israel to follow through on its threats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US was informed in advance of the attack.
Photo from inside a house across a targeted residential building shows extensive damage in Tehran. Picture: Getty
On Thursday, Iran was censured by the UN's atomic watchdog for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
The crossfire between Israel and Iran disrupted East-West travel through the Middle East, a key global aviation route, but Jordan's state-run Petra news agent said the country was reopening its air space to civilian aircraft on Saturday morning, signalling it believes there is no immediate danger.
Among the key sites Israel attacked was Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 60 miles south east of Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government that reported hearing explosions nearby.
Israel said it also struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan and destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Iran confirmed the strike at Isfahan.
Yossi Beilin, Former Israeli Justice Minister, who initiated the 1993 Oslo Accords, told LBC News: "[Iran] are not recognising our existence and they are not ready to talk to us and we don't talk to each other...we cannot negotiate with them."
Iranians gather in Tehran's Enghelab Square to watch and celebrate the country's ballistic missile retaliation against Israel. Picture: Getty
UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility had been destroyed. The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to have been hit, but the loss of power could have damaged the infrastructure there, he said.
Mr Netanyahu said the attack was months in the making and had been planned for April before being postponed.
Israel's Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defences and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials.
Among those killed were three of Iran's military leaders: General Mohammad Bagheri, who oversaw the entire armed forces; General Hossein Salami, who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard; and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guard's ballistic missile programme.
Council of Governors appearing before the National Assembly on Thursday, January 23 2025. Photo
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro is in mourning after the loss of his father, who tragically passed away on June 15, a day set aside to celebrate fathers.
In a heartfelt post shared on his official social media on Sunday, the Kilifi County boss expressed deep sorrow at the untimely loss, describing the moment as particularly painful given the day’s significance.
“Today, on Father’s Day, I lost my father. It’s a deeply painful moment, but I’m truly grateful for the love, support, and prayers from family, friends, and all who’ve reached out. Your kindness is helping us through this difficult time. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote.
The message sparked an outpouring of condolences from Kenyans, fellow leaders, and supporters, many acknowledging the weight of losing a dad on a day meant to celebrate them.
Governor Mung'aro has since shared images of himself and some acquaintances at the Kilifi County Hospital Funeral Home, where his late dad's body was being kept.
Details surrounding the cause of death or funeral arrangements had not been made public at the time of this publication.
In the wake of the governor's announcement, the Orange Democratic Party, which was the political vehicle in which Mung'aro won his gubernatorial seat, has since shared a message of condolence, hailing the deceased as a 'great man'.
"On this Father’s Day, a great man has slept. Ex-Chief Gideon Baya Mung’aro a man who made the modern Malindi and Dabaso what it is today," a statement from ODM read.
"To our comrade Gideon Mung’aro and the entire Mung’aro family and the people of Kilifi County, poleni sana for the loss."
This is the latest tragedy rocking Kilifi county involving a senior government official. On April 1, former ODM Chairperson in Magarini, Kilifi County, Ahmed Maamun Ali passed away in a death which was described as sudden.
Weeks later, on June 2, former Kilifi County Executive Committee Member Alphonce Mwambura lost his life nearly eight years after he left his job in the public service.
Tokali's passing was confirmed by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who hailed him as a public servant who worked with "utmost diligence and respect". By Rene Otinga , Kenyans.co.ke
Okiya Omtatah in March 2025 during the Busia County Executive’s appearance before the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds. PHOTO/@OkiyaOmtatah/X
Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah has strongly condemned the ongoing destruction of Shamata Forest in Nyandarua County, where numerous trucks have been spotted ferrying freshly cut trees, raising serious concerns about the person who issued this order.
In a statement shared on Saturday, June 14, 2025, the senator expressed deep disappointment over the rampant logging activities taking place in the forest. Omtatah pointed out that whether classified as legal or illegal, any form of logging that destroys ecosystems, depletes water sources, and threatens biodiversity cannot be justified.
“The reports of widespread tree harvesting in Shamata Forest are deeply troubling. Whether termed legal or illegal, logging that destroys ecosystems, dries up water sources, and endangers biodiversity is unacceptable,” Omtatah said.
He questioned who authorised the harvesting in Shamata Forest and demanded accountability from those behind the activity. The senator also challenged the reasoning behind the logging, warning that short-term gains should not come at the expense of future generations.
He emphasised the need to evaluate all logging activities through the lens of climate change, environmental justice, and sustainable development.
“We must urgently ask: Who authorised this? Who benefits? And at what cost to future generations?” he added.
Referencing Article 42 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Omtatah reminded the public that every Kenyan has the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the protection of natural forests.
He argued that the current destruction taking place in Shamata Forest goes against this constitutional right and undermines national environmental goals.
“Even so-called ‘legal logging’ must be reviewed under the lens of climate change, ecological justice, and intergenerational equity. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, Article 42, guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment, and that includes thriving forests.”
Nyandarua senator John Methu speaking in Meru on Sunday, February 23, 2025. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/DPGachagua
He said the discussions will seek to create a collaborative strategy to safeguard Shamata Forest from further damage. He reiterated his commitment to defending the environment, stating that he cannot sit back as the future of generations to come is loaded onto trucks and driven away.
“I will be reaching out to my colleague Senator @MethuMuhia to discuss the situation and forge a united path forward to protect Shamata and the Aberdares. We cannot watch in silence as our children’s future is felled, truck by truck,” he concluded. By Mabonga Makhanu, People Daily
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