The United Nations has lamented that 2023 was the year of suffering and violence across the countries. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres disclosed this in a solemn video message released on the eve of 2024.
Recalled that there was an insurrection that broke out on April 15, 2023, in Khartoum and the Darfur region, Sudan where the Sudanese Armed Forces, under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, were locked in a fierce tussle for power control.
On July 26, 2023, there was a coup in the Niger Republic where the democratically elected and constitutionally installed President Mohamed Bazoum, was illegally detained by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani. This led the Economic Community of West African States to freeze all service transactions, including energy transactions to Niger.
Also, the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip said at least 21,320 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the war with Israel erupted on October 7.
Addressing the world, Guterres said, “2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence, and climate chaos.
“Humanity is in pain. Our planet is in peril. 2023 is the hottest year on record. People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity. And trust is in short supply.
