Category: Peace Security

“I call on the parties to muster a renewed sense of political will and build trust, to avoid a state of paralysis, and, in a worst-case scenario, a collapse of the peace agreement”, Mr. Haysom said.   The world’s youngest nation has been mired in instability and conflict since gaining independence from Sudan 10 years ago.  In 2018, President… Continue reading South Sudan: ‘Headwinds’ warning from UN mission chief over peace accord 

Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed ambassadors on developments surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which sets out rules for international monitoring of the country’s nuclear programme. Iran signed the JCPOA in 2015 alongside China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with Germany and the European Union.  Expedite pledges Negotiations are… Continue reading ‘Additional effort and patience’ needed to revive Iran nuclear deal

“Even as the conflict parties all profess to me their desire for peace, their focus remains on military options…[which] will not result in sustainable solutions”, he said. Grundberg to #UNSC:”The process should be designed to allow for parallel progress on different agenda items of importance to Yemenis. It’ll address the parties’ priorities in the context… Continue reading ‘Restraint, de-escalation and dialogue’ needed to stem war in Yemen

Briefing the UN Human Rights Council, Nada Al-Nashif detailed how the profound humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is threatening basic rights, with women, girls, and civil society among those most affected.  Dignity or deprivation  “How the de facto authorities – indeed, and the international community – address the drastic economic and humanitarian crises in the country will determine Afghans’ enjoyment of human rights, now and into the… Continue reading Afghanistan: Humanitarian crisis threatens basic human rights

In the wake of the 25 October military takeover in Sudan, discussions on the way forward are underway but restoring trust will be a challenge, the top UN official in the country, Volker Perthes, told the Security Council on Friday.  The UN Special Representative briefed ambassadors on a deal last month under which civilian Prime… Continue reading Sudan: Mistrust deepens following military takeover

The UN’s Political and Peacebuilding Affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, concluded a three-day visit to Afghanistan on Thursday in which she met with senior Taliban representatives, urging them not to “erase” gains made by women and girls across the country in recent years.   “I had frank and useful exchanges about what needed to be done to bring about an Afghanistan that is inclusive,… Continue reading Afghanistan: Political affairs chief has ‘frank and useful exchanges’ with the Taliban  

In Iraq and Syria, terrorist group Daesh, also known as ISIL, has exploited water shortages and taken control of water infrastructure to impose its will on communities, while in Somalia charcoal production provides a source of income for Al-Shaabab, UN Secretary-General António Guterres explained during a debate on Security, in the Context of Terrorism and… Continue reading Climate change ‘aggravating factor for terrorism’: UN chief

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Wednesday expressed outrage over an attack on a convoy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in which one of its vehicles was hit, wounding three staff members Unidentified attackers opened fire on the convoy which was being escorted by ‘blue helmets’ from the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC… Continue reading UNHCR staff members wounded in DR Congo, UN chief calls for full investigation

They include measures to improve technology and provide extra medical capacity in the field – the cross-cutting themes of the 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, held virtually from the Republic of Korea.  Enhancing performance & safety of personnel are critical for our missions to protect civilians & pursue lasting peace. We continue to improve through… Continue reading UN hails ‘strong political support’ to boost peacekeepers in the field

With the world now facing the highest number of violent conflicts since 1945, Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday urged countries to step up support for UN peacekeeping operations across the globe, and the thousands who serve within them.  Mr. Guterres made the appeal in remarks to the opening ceremony of the 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping… Continue reading At Seoul meeting, Guterres urges greater support for peacekeeping amid mounting threats

Bintou Keita argued that, for stability to return to eastern Congo, “the State must succeed in restoring and maintaining the confidence of the people in their ability to protect, administer, deliver justice and meet their basic needs.”  Ms. Keita, who also acts as the head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the country (MONUSCO), said that she has stressed this regularly in her exchanges with the Head… Continue reading DR Congo: Limitations to ‘strictly military approach’ to stem violence, mission chief warns 

Millions of people in Ethiopia could be pushed deeper into hunger as the World Food Programme (WFP) faces a major funding shortfall that threatens its operations there over the coming six months, the UN agency warned on Monday.  WFP urgently needs $579 million to deliver food aid and livelihood support to some 12 million Ethiopians… Continue reading Severe cash crunch threatens WFP operations in Ethiopia

The Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation in the country illustrates that joint counter-piracy efforts have resulted in a steady decline in attacks and hijackings since 2011. However, although piracy off the coast of Somalia has been “repressed”, the ongoing threat of resurgence remains. As such – under Chapter VII of the Charter, which provides… Continue reading Somalia: Security Council adopts resolution to keep pirates at bay

Delivering his first briefing to ambassadors, Special Adviser Christian Ritscher said evidence collected so far is capable of supporting trials.  SA Christian Ritscher during his first brief to the #UNSC: I believe we now stand at a turning point, a moment of unexpected hope. We can now envision a new landscape in which those who… Continue reading ‘Turning point’ reached for survivors of ISIL crimes in Iraq, Security Council hears

A total of 274 million people worldwide will need emergency aid and protection in 2022, a 17 per cent increase compared with this year, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.  The amount is equivalent to “the world’s fourth most populous country”, Martin Griffiths, UN Humanitarian Affairs chief said at the launch of the 2022 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) in Geneva.  The document, published annually by… Continue reading Emergency aid needs set to rise by 17% to assist 274 million, UN humanitarians warn 

Humanitarian needs in the country have increased, the UN agency said, with all 34 provinces facing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.  ⏯️On the ground in #Afghanistan, working tirelessly to meet the most pressing needs of the Afghan people. WFP needs US$ 2.6 billion to ramp up our life-saving support to reach 24 million people in 2022.… Continue reading WFP appeals for greater support for Afghanistan as hunger increases

She noted the landlocked West African nation faced the on-going threat of violent extremism, climate change and humanitarian crises, but Michelle Bachelet also stressed that her fact-finding mission was “a testament” to the State’s openness the promotion and protection of human rights, in collaboration with the UN. Armed Islamist groups have killed hundreds of civilians… Continue reading Burkina Faso facing ‘multitude of challenges’ – human rights chief Bachelet

He highlighted the wide range of progress made through collaboration, from frameworks around peace, security and sustainable development, to joint missions and programmes for humanitarian operations, elections and peaceful transfers of power. Mr. Guterres also focussed on areas critical for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery on the continent, that are grounded in the 2030… Continue reading ‘Unity’ of purpose and action needed: Guterres tells AU-UN Conference

Tor Wennesland told Council Members that “recent developments on the ground are worrying”, pointing out the situation in the West Bank and Gaza and the challenges faced by the Palestinian Authority.   “I therefore emphasize again the importance of concerted efforts by the parties to calm things on the ground. I am concerned that if we do not act quickly and… Continue reading Israel-Palestine: Risk of ‘deadly escalation’ in violence, without decisive action

The UN refugee Agency, UNHCR, is “appalled by a series of deadly attacks” on displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the agency’s spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday in Geneva. In the latest incident carried out by armed groups, UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov cited local authorities in saying that 26 people were… Continue reading Series of appalling deadly attacks on displaced people in DR Congo

The UN Secretary-General on Monday called on all Middle East States to transform the vision of a region with no nuclear weapons, or other weapons of mass destruction, into a working reality.    Antonio Guterres was speaking in New York at the second session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.   Since 1967,… Continue reading UN chief calls for nuclear weapons-free Middle East  

The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, continues to pose a significant challenge to international peace and security, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said on Monday.  In a message to mark International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The UN chief warned that persistent violations of the rights of Palestinians, along with the expansion of Israeli settlements, risk eroding the… Continue reading Violations of Palestinian rights puts two-State solution at risk UN chief warns 

“As we take stock today, we can confidently affirm that the implementation of the peace process is taking deep roots,” Mr. Guterres said in Bogotá during an event commemorating the 2016 peace deal between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC-EP, that ended the Western hemisphere’s longest-running war. Speaking from… Continue reading Colombia’s peace process is taking ‘deep roots’, but all sides must work together to overcome lingering challenges

He reported that the political climate remains “heavily polarized” ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls, which are being held in line with a roadmap adopted last year following a historic ceasefire and the establishment of an interim government.  Even though Libyans are eager to cast their votes, “vocal opposition” persists surrounding the legal framework… Continue reading Libya at ‘delicate and critical juncture’ ahead of landmark elections: UN envoy

Peace and ‘family ties’ The Secretary-General visited the northern town of Llano Grande, in the Department of Antioquia, along with Colombia’s President, Ivan Duque, as well as the former FARC-EP commander, Rodrigo Londoño. The town is one of several areas in the country where the former guerillas are being reincorporated into civilian life. Colombia has… Continue reading UN chief sees firsthand the progress and challenges five years after Colombia’s historic peace deal

Following “hard-earned” parliamentary elections on 10 October, Iraqis of all political stripes must exercise restraint, eschew violence and await the outcome’s final certification by the Federal Supreme Court, the senior UN official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday. Jeanine Plasschaert, Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said clashes… Continue reading Importance of sound, inclusive elections in Iraq ‘cannot be overstated’

Yemen has been mired in seven years of fighting between a pro-Government Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels, generating the world’s worst humanitarian and development crisis and leaving the country teetering on the brink of famine.  The report sends a hopeful message that all is not lost, arguing that its extreme poverty could be eradicated within a generation, or by 2047, if the fighting ceases.    A brighter future  “The study… Continue reading Yemen recovery possible if war stops now: UNDP report

Beginning on 7 December, ministers from around the world will meet in Seoul, Republic of Korea, to close UN Peacekeeping capability gaps through concrete pledges with a focus on technology, medical capacity building, reducing the UN’s environmental footprint and increasing the number and role of women peacekeepers, UN officials said at a press conference on… Continue reading UN will use technology and medical capacity to improve peacekeeping  

Small arms trafficking is a “defining factor in undermining peace and security”, the Director of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) told the Security Council on Monday during a ministerial debate.  Robin Geiss said that that diversion and trafficking of arms “destabilizes communities and exacerbates situations of insecurity, including by committing serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as… Continue reading Arms trafficking, a ‘defining factor’ in undermining peace 

This small village is an example of how, through peace and reconciliation – and determination – a new ‘family’ can be forged from among old enemies. UN News traveled to the region ahead of the Secretary General, who’s two-day visit will begin Tuesday 23 November. Familia Llano Grande reads a mural at the entrance of… Continue reading Feature: Five years after peace deal, Colombian town of Llano Grande is forging a ‘family’ out of disparate parts