World News in Brief: Sudan and Haiti updates, Afghan women’s rights

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The United Nations is raising alarm over continued drone attacks in Sudan’s Darfur region after multiple strikes reportedly killed civilians and intensified fears for communities already trapped by the brutal conflict between rival militaries.

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The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia have been battling their former allies in Sudan’s military government for control of the country since April 2023.

According to local sources, at least 12 people were killed in attacks on two towns in North Darfur near the Sudan-Chad border, the UN’s Deputy Spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday. 

Additional strikes in the towns of Al Tina and Kornoi earlier this week also caused multiple deaths and injuries, including attacks that reportedly killed children and wounded civilians.

The UN warned that the growing use of drone attacks is increasing the danger for civilians in areas already struggling with displacement, insecurity and limited humanitarian access.

Diplomatic efforts continue

At the same time, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, is continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and civilian protection. 

The UN – alongside regional and international partners – is also working to support preparations for a future Sudanese-led political dialogue.

The UN again called on all combatants to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow humanitarian aid to reach communities in need, warning that millions across Sudan urgently require assistance.

Violence in Haiti’s capital shows no sign of abating

The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported on Tuesday that conditions continue to deteriorate in and around the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, with gang-related violence spiking since 10 May – particularly in the neighbourhood of Cité Soleil

According to new estimates from UN migration agency IOM, some 17,500 people – that’s more than 4,200 households – have been displaced in the past two weeks. 

More than 80 per cent of the displaced are sheltering in 33 sites, while others are hosted by already vulnerable families, OCHA said. 

Needs rapidly grow

Assessments at the displacement sites point to rapidly growing needs for food, clean water, healthcare and hygiene supplies. 

Conditions at the sites, including poor lighting, are also raising concerns over safety. 

“Children separated from their families, pregnant women and people with disabilities are at greater risk as a result,” UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters at the daily briefing. 

“Our humanitarian partners continue to respond despite the insecurity and access constraints, with OCHA coordinating the effort to ensure we can reach people in need more effectively.” 

UN warns Afghan women are ‘no longer equal before the law’

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The UN gender equality agency, UN Women, is raising alarm over the latest Taliban decree which further erodes Afghan women and girls of their rights, nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power.

Decree No. 18, issued by Afghanistan’s de facto Ministry of Justice on 14 May, outlines rules for separation from a spouse and has sparked concerns over an increase in child marriage and women’s ability to leave abusive relationships.

Unlike laws in place before the Taliban takeover, the decree sets no minimum age for marriage and instead rules that child marriage can only be annulled only after a girl reaches puberty. 

The move risks normalizing child marriage in Afghanistan.

Power imbalance 

The decree also places heavier legal burdens on women seeking separation from a spouse, including requiring multiple witness testimonies, while allowing husbands greater authority in marital disputes.

“This again highlights that men and women are no longer equal before the law in Afghanistan,” said Susan Ferguson, the UN agency’s Special Representative in the country.

UN Women is calling on Taliban authorities to reverse course to ensure that laws and policies conform to international human rights standards.