Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Kill 189 Civilians And Torch 120 Houses

During the Christmas celebrations, LRA rebels conducted simultaneous attacks in several localities of Haut Uélé, northeastern DRC.At least 189 civilians were killed in the attack, according to local and humanitarian officials, with 40 civilians reported killed in Faradje, 89 in Doruma and 60 in Gurba, between the 26 and 27 of December 2008.A situational report issued by humanitarian actors in Dungu indicates that several officials were killed in Faradje, including the chief doctor (partner of  UNFPA and Malteser International), two priests, one school inspector, a pharmacist, a head of the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC) and the Deputy Chief of the Immigration Office (DGM). 20 children were also abducted.

Ghana: After Elections Comes Waiting

Thousand of NDC supporters spent the night at the offices of the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Accra. The crowd has made their intentions clear – that they are going to lay siege at the commission office until the final results are released.In order to maintain law and order at the EC’s office, a large group of army and police officers have condoned off the offices of the Electoral Commission and they have fired tear gas at certain times in the night to control the crowds. The situation is very fluid but calm. In a related development the NDC’s presidential candidate Atta Mills has urged his supporters to remain calm and wait for the Electoral Commission to declare the final results although he has indicated that his party has won the elections.

Somalia: Fresh Turmoil, Uncertainty as President Resigns

Nairobi — Fresh turmoil and uncertainty loom for the people of Somalia – already ravaged by displacement, conflict, drought and hyper-inflation – after the country’s interim president resigned on 29 December.Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned after disagreements with parliament and his prime minister, as well as pressure from the international community.”President Abdullahi Yusuf resigned at around 1000am local time. The speaker of parliament, Sheikh Aden Madobe, is now the acting president until a new one is elected,” Abdi Haji Gobdon, the government spokesman told IRIN.