The ceasefire in Hudayda shall enter into force at 00:00 on 18 December 2018, local time. The Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), the joint committee in charge of implementing the Hudayda Agreement, is expected to start its work swiftly to translate the momentum built up in Sweden into achievements on the ground.
Preamble:
This is a humanitarian issue and it shall not be subject to any political scores or other matters and the perspective of parties shall be to reunite the bereaved families, as it is endorsed in Islam.
Recognizing the importance of urgently addressing the issue in accordance with the legal processes and provisions, particularly, the conventions, principles and norms of international humanitarian law, human rights and relevant laws of the Republic of Yemen...
Photo tour of DPA's work around the world.
Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Members of this Council,
I come before you today with some good news and a message of hope.
After two and half years of missed opportunities, it is fair to say that the political process to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Yemen has finally resumed. This week, during our consultations in Sweden, parties to the conflict have reached several agreements included in the Stockholm Declaration, which came into force on 13 December upon the publishing of the documents. This is no small achievement, made possible first and foremost by the commitment of the parties. And the credit goes to them. I was extremely impressed by their dedication. All made concessions. All engaged. In-depth and at length. Intensively and in good faith. Last week’s consultations saw the highest level of interaction between the parties ever seen in consultations on Yemen - to quote members of the delegations.
All members of this Council will share my sincere gratitude to the Government of Sweden for hosting us. You understood better than any of us what was needed to make these consultations a success. I know this feeling was shared by all those present. Thank you.
Members of this Council, members of the international community, Sweden is also your success. The agreements reached would not have been possible without the extraordinary level of support of world leaders. I feel privileged to have been able to rely on them. I am thankful to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman who showed his personal support for this process at vital times and for the agreements we were negotiating in Sweden. I am grateful to President Hadi who followed very closely our negotiations and whose involvement has been key on all files. It was President Hadi himself who confirmed to the Secretary General yesterday morning personally his approval of the various proposals.
I am also grateful to the leadership of Ansar Allah, Abdul Malik al-Houthi who demonstrated his commitment to progress at the talks throughout the consultations. I understand he was in constant communication with his own delegation.
I would also like to thank the heads of both delegations: Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamany and Speaker Mohamed Abdul Salam had a difficult task but they led their delegation with professionalism, discipline and perseverance. It was not an easy exercise but I thank them both for their outstanding performance. Thank you also to UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt who made a flying visit yesterday to the talks at a crucial moment.
And of course thank you to all those who helped with logistical arrangements to make the talks happen, in particular the Saudi-led Coalition, the Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait.
Last but not least, you will allow me to record here the leadership of our Secretary General. As I have said to this Council before Mr. Guterres is very familiar about Yemen. We were in frequent contact these past two weeks. His meeting at the G20 in Argentina with the Saudi Crown Prince ensured the last minute clearances essential to move the 50 injured to Muscat two days before the talks. And his subsequent visit to the consultations for the vital last 24 hours were instrumental in making the agreements happen. I am most grateful for his leadership.
Mr. President,
What did we achieve exactly?
Firstly, lest we forget, both parties turned up on time for the consultations. This was no small achievement. Many people and governments can claim credit for that. I have already thanked them. But I am grateful also to the two delegations for arriving ready to work.
Sweden consisted of eight days of hard work. Meetings were punctual. The parties laboured daily on texts as well as principles. What began as meetings of a formal nature became overtime true engagements between people from both sides who knew each other and who seek agreement over differences. I would not want to overstate the level of confidence between the two sides. But they did business together. And almost always in good spirits.
But more than mere attendance of course there are a range of agreements made, details of all of which have been published and are available to members of this Council.
What are these agreements?
Firstly and most dramatically the parties have agreed finally to the end of the battles in Hodeida. This Council has for months called for just such an agreement. I believe we now have it.
This agreement entered into force upon the publishing of the papers on 13 December. It includes phased but rapid mutual withdrawals of forces from both the three Hodeida ports and the city. This will be achieved in the context of a governorate-wide ceasefire. The United Nations is asked to monitor the compliance of the parties to these commitments. I am sure this Council will want to address this requirement. A robust and competent monitoring regime is not just essential. It is also urgently needed. And both parties have told us they would welcome it and indeed depend upon it. At the instruction of the Secretary General relevant departments in New York and elsewhere are already active on the planning for urgent deployment subject to the decisions of this Council.
Hodeida has been the focus of international attention this year for a reason. Not only it is the center of gravity of this conflict but it is the vital lifeline for the humanitarian programme upon which millions of Yemenis depend. The ghastly prospect of famine has made solving Hodeida urgent and necessary. For this reason the precise nature of the agreed withdrawals revolve around humanitarian requirements. And allowing the UN the lead role in the ports is the vital first response. We must see this happen within days. The UN will take on a leading role in supporting Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation in management and inspections at Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Isa ports, which will include enhanced monitoring by the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM). The UN Country Team under the leadership of my colleague and friend Lise Grande has developed a plan seeking specific support from member states in the port.
Lise Grande and her agency colleagues have been integral to the shaping of agreements on Hodeida. Two of her colleagues were with us in Sweden. I am grateful to her and them. She and they will play a lead role in the civilian aspects of the deal. But I would like to stress here that Hodeida is an outlier. Very deliberately the arrangements agreed particularly as regards to governance intend to set no precedent. They are time bound. This is a humanitarian stop gap to save lives and turn the tide of war towards peace.
Parties have also reached a mutual understanding to ease the situation in Taïz with the prospect of opening of humanitarian corridors to allow the safe passage of goods and people across the front lines, the reduction of the fighting in the governorate, the deployment of deming operations and the release and exchange of prisoners. The parties in Sweden have agreed to the creation of a joint committee with the UN in the lead to make these things happen. That committee should meet soon and agree a plan to bring the massive urban center of Taïz back to temporary peace.
Before arriving in Sweden the parties agreed to the establishment of a joint committee to provide and plan for the mutual release of all prisoners. This was the first injunction by President Hadi who urged the United Nations to focus on the release of prisoners. This committee met frequently in Sweden, exchanging lists of over 15,000 prisoners. We are also very pleased to ha e the full support and involvement of ICRC. We hope for a mass exchange as soon as mid-January of as many as 4,000 prisoners.
We did not reach agreement on all items that were on the table in Sweden. We have yet to finalize agreements on the opening of Sana’a airport and on the measures needed to improve the operations and reach of the Central Bank of Yemen as a condition for the full payment of the salaries of all civil servants. We will continue to seek agreement.
Finally, but not least, parties have agreed to reconvene at the end of January. This particular point was raised by the UN Secretary-General with President Hadi.
Mr. President,
In Sweden, parties have also discussed my Framework presented to you in June. The key principle of my Framework, based on the three references - the GCC initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and relevant Security Council resolutions, including UNSCR 2216 (2015), is to restore state institutions and the state monopoly of force by providing a clear political future to all parties and all those who have a say in solving this conflict. And indeed to return Yemen to civil politics and peace.
Parties have agreed to discuss the Framework at the next round of consultations. I am extremely encouraged by this commitment. I am very pleased by the generally positive responses of the parties to this framework. Indeed I think it’s fair to say that Ansarullah are in agreement with the general tenor of all its elements. The Government of Yemen has some reservations which I understand and respect, indeed very much so. And the next step will be serious consideration of its suggestions when next the parties meet. I’m this
way we hope to move from the essentially humanitarian theme of Sweden to a first serious consideration of the issues that need to be addressed between the parties if this conflict in Yemen is to be resolved.
Mr. President,
I also come before you today with a call for caution. Our collective achievements this week were indeed a significant step forward. But what’s in front of us is a daunting task. As ever the hard work starts now.
People ask us whether we can trust the parties to implement the agreements that they together made in Sweden. All of us no doubt have different views on this. My own is that this is not about whether we can trust one or the other on this or that commitment.
This is about helping them to make it happen and reporting success as well as failure. Verification is the key to building trust. And I personally hope that this Council will play a part in keeping international attention on the minutiae of the implementation of these agreements.
Having said that I can also confirm the public and private statements made to the Secretary General by all involved that these promises will not remain only on paper. We believe these statements. And we all hope to see them reflected in the next days.
Mr. President,
Before the consultations, I was asked by both sides whether the other side was serious. To be honest, I wasn’t really sure until about two weeks ago. Today I am more confident. But more than this what Sweden demonstrated every day was the absolute international consensus on the need for progress and on the simple proposition that only a political solution can resolve this conflict. Among with us were Ambassadors accredited to Yemen. This sense of international consensus gives hope to Yemenis. As the Swedish Foreign Minister said to the press no longer can Yemen be considered a forgotten war.
And now we can begin to hope for a track that may indeed lead to its early resolution.
Thank you.
Mogadishu – The following international partners* (listed below) are concerned about the recent events in South West State. We extend our deepest condolences for the death of the South West State assembly member and others who have died in the violence in Baidoa. We deplore all violence and any other acts that could exacerbate the humanitarian situation.
The international community underscores that there should be unified support for the agreed framework governing the...
Martin Griffiths to Al Jazeera - UpFront: "The outcome of Sweden is the first big step forward"
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Council,
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to brief on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, since the report before you was issued.
Allow me to highlight a few issues and update you on the most recent developments.
In Sao Tomé and Principe, on 22 November, the National Assembly was inaugurated and Delfim Santiago das Neves, from the opposition coalition, was elected as the new President of the National Assembly. On 29 November, President Evaristo Carvalho appointed Jorge Lopes Bom Jesus, the leader of the MLSTP-PSD party, as the new Prime Minister. On 3 December, the President swore in the new Government of Mr. Bom Jesus, which is composed of 12 Ministers (including three women) and two Secretaries of State. I must commend all the stakeholders in Sao Tomé and Principe for their commitment to resolve their differences through constitutional mechanisms to defuse the tensions that arose following the 7 October legislative elections. I also congratulate the people of Sao Tomé and Principe for their tireless efforts to maintain peace and stability. This is a positive example to follow.
In Gabon, the situation remains calm after the legislative and local elections held in October. However, speculation over President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s health conditions remains a source of concern, while some opposition and civil society leaders continue to criticize the decision by the Constitutional Court to amend article 13 of the Constitution on 14 November, in order to authorize the Vice-President to chair the Council of Ministers in the event of the temporary unavailability of the Head of State. Meanwhile, in close coordination with key international partners, I have continued to hold meetings with political actors in Libreville and to urge all Gabonese to respect the Constitution and to preserve the unity, peace and stability of the country.
I remain concerned with the situation in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon and reaffirm the United Nations commitment to the territorial integrity and unity of the country. Violence has not diminished, and allegations of human rights violations by all sides continue to be reported. A Kenyan priest was shot dead on 21 November in the Kembong locality (South-West region) and, on 24 November, three priests from the archdiocese of Buea (South-West region) and one driver were abducted by unidentified gunmen. The number of internally displaced persons and refugees in neighbouring Nigeria is still high. Several schools remain closed in the South-West and North-West regions. I am particularly concerned with the effect of the crisis on women and children.
During my visit to Cameroon from 17 to 22 November, I met with key Government officials and stressed to all actors the necessity for inclusive dialogue as a constructive and sustainable way forward for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. I welcome the efforts by the Government to provide humanitarian access and assistance; this is a step in the right direction. In this regard, I also appeal to the Government to continue to safeguard access by humanitarian partners to the populations in need and to ensure that all human rights violations are addressed. I was encouraged by the Government’s commitment to put in place plans to address the root causes of the crisis, including through accelerated decentralization and the activities of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism. I encourage national authorities to pursue such efforts, including by implementing confidence-building measures as soon as possible.
On 30 November, President Biya signed a decree creating the National Committee on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), based in Yaoundé, with regional centres in Bamenda, Buéa and Mora, respectively in the North-West, South-West and Far North regions. The National Committee, which is under the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for organizing the DDR of former combatants of Boko Haram and the armed groups in the North-West and South-West regions. As part of a wider dialogue framework, I encourage the Committee to work in close consultation with relevant groups, including civil society and communities, in order to ensure that the particular needs of the three regions and their populations are met. UNOCA stands ready to support the Government in its efforts to seek a lasting solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, as well as to continue assisting national authorities in the fight against Boko Haram in the context of existing regional frameworks along with relevant regional States and organizations.
In Chad, the legislative elections, due since 2015 and originally scheduled for November 2018, were postponed. I encourage the Chadian authorities to organize these elections as soon as possible, and call on the international community to provide the necessary financial support to the Government of Chad, as required. At the same time, I welcome the effective functioning of the National Framework for Political Dialogue, which is playing a key role in the preparation of the legislative elections. On 6 and 7 December, while in Chad for the ministerial meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC), I met with members of the Government to discuss, among others, peace and security issues in Central Africa and growing conflicts between farmers and herders in the context of transhumance. I was also encouraged by the commitment of national authorities to ensure the safety and security of the population in the Tibesti desert, near the border with Libya, being affected by recent attacks conducted by armed elements. I appeal to the Chadian authorities to seek peaceful ways of addressing this situation in a sustainable manner.
Monsieur le Président,
La récente montée de violence en République centrafricaine (RCA) présente un risque pour la sécurité dans la sous-région. Une grande partie de la population compte encore des déplacés internes et a besoin d’une assistance humanitaire. Dans le cadre de mon mandat régional, je continue d’exhorter les pays de la sous-région à faire en sorte que leurs efforts convergent vers un appui à l’Initiative africaine pour la paix et la réconciliation en RCA, et à rester engagés de façon concertée et constructive durant l’étape critique de mise en oeuvre d’un accord éventuel. Par ailleurs, je continue d’appuyer les efforts en cours pour opérationnaliser ou revitaliser les commissions mixtes entre la RCA et ses voisins, en tant que mécanismes qui permettront d’améliorer la coopération entre ces Etats afin de gérer efficacement les questions transfrontalières. Je continuerai de mobiliser les soutiens nécessaires à l’Initiative africaine, en coordination avec le Représentant spécial pour la RCA, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga.
L’Armée de résistance du seigneur (LRA) continue de menacer la sécurité des populations en RCA et en République démocratique du Congo. J’encourage donc l’Union africaine à adopter une approche globale et prudente dans le cadre de ses efforts en cours visant à remplacer l’Initiative de coopération régionale pour l’élimination de la LRA, afin qu’il n’y ait aucun vide sécuritaire que le groupe pourrait exploiter pour relancer et intensifier ses activités de déstabilisation.
L’extrémisme violent et le terrorisme demeurent une menace importante à la sécurité et au développement dans la sous-région. Même si beaucoup de progrès ont été accomplis dans la lutte contre Boko Haram, ce groupe terroriste poursuit ses attaques indiscriminées contre les forces de défense et de sécurité, et les civils. En réponse, les pays de la sous-région continuent d’intensifier leurs efforts pour combattre le groupe à travers une meilleure coopération. Il est important que les Etats de l’Afrique centrale et de l’Ouest développent des stratégies qui s’attaquent aux causes profondes de l’insurrection. A cet effet, je salue la tenue du Sommet de la Commission du Bassin du lac Tchad qui s’est déroulé à N’Djamena, au Tchad, le 29 novembre dernier, pour discuter des voies et moyens de répondre à la hausse récente des activités de Boko Haram dans la région.
Le Sommet conjoint des chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de la CEDEAO et de la CEEAC sur la Paix, la sécurité, la stabilité et la lutte contre le terrorisme et l’extrémisme violent,
qui s’est tenu à Lomé (Togo) le 30 juillet, marque une étape importante pour les deux sousrégions dans leur lutte contre les menaces sécuritaires qui leur sont communes. UNOCA a déjà initié des actions auprès du Secrétariat général de la CEEAC, en coordination avec UNOWAS, pour appuyer la mise en oeuvre effective de la Déclaration de Lomé qui présente les décisions du Sommet conjoint. C’est dans ce contexte qu’il est prévu une réunion des experts du Secrétariat général de la CEEAC et de la Commission de la CEDEAO, pour s’accorder sur un plan d’action conjoint de mise en oeuvre de la Déclaration de Lomé. En attendant, je continue de travailler en étroite collaboration avec le Représentant spécial pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest et le Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, en appui à la coordination des efforts pour faire face aux menaces du terrorisme et de l’extrémisme violent.
L’insécurité liée à la transhumance gagne du terrain en Afrique centrale. D’après certains rapports, le 22 novembre, huit personnes auraient été tuées lors d’un affrontement entre
agriculteurs et éleveurs à Abéché, à l’est du Tchad. Dans ce contexte, le Comité consultatif permanent des Nations Unies chargé des questions de sécurité en Afrique centrale,
communément appelé UNSAC, facilite les discussions sur ce problème qui est transnational de par sa nature et a des implications économiques, sécuritaires, politiques et environnementales. L’UNOCA continuera de travailler avec la CEEAC pour répondre à ce problème, tout en maintenant une collaboration étroite avec UNOWAS, étant donné les aspects inter-régionaux de cette question. Au cours du premier trimestre de 2019, le Représentant spécial Chambas et moi, nous effectuerons une visite de terrain dans certaines des régions affectées par les conflits entre agriculteurs et éleveurs.
En sa qualité de Secrétariat de l’UNSAC, l’UNOCA a appuyé l’organisation de la 47ème réunion du Comité à N’Djamena, du 3 au 7 décembre. A ce jour, l’UNSAC est le seul forum qui
permet aux Etats de l’Afrique centrale de se réunir régulièrement au niveau ministériel pour discuter des questions de sécurité communes. Le Secrétaire général de la CEEAC et moi avons saisi cette opportunité pour plaider pour la ratification, par tous les Etats membres de la CEEAC, de la Convention de l’Afrique centrale pour le contrô le des armes légères et de petit calibre, de leurs munitions et de toutes pièces et composantes pouvant servir à leur fabrication, réparation et assemblage, dite Convention de Kinshasa. Avec le Directeur du Centre régional des Nations Unies pour la paix et le désarmement en Afrique, nous avons lancé, en marge de l’UNSAC, un projet conjoint intitulé "Soutien aux Etats africains dans le cadre de la vision ‘Faire taire les armes en Afrique d’ici 2020’ : Renforcement des capacités des Etats d’Afrique centrale".
Monsieur le Président,
Conformément à son mandat reçu de ce Conseil, l’UNOCA est resté déterminé à appuyer les Etats membres de l’Afrique centrale et les organisations sous-régionales, en particulier la CEEAC. Tout en appuyant les efforts consentis pour maintenir la paix, j’exhorte les Etats membres de la CEEAC à demeurer attachés à la réforme institutionnelle de l’Organisation sous-régionale et à accélérer ce processus. Je suis convaincu que l’aboutissement de la réforme marquera une étape importante pour l’Organisation dans le sens de l’amélioration de son fonctionnement, y compris des mécanismes de financement pour assurer la mise en oeuvre effective de projets clés dans les domaines de la paix, la sécurité et la gouvernance.
Comme l’a recommandé le Conseil de sécurité dans sa déclaration présidentielle du 10 août 2018, le mandat et les activités de l’UNOCA seront soumis à "un examen stratégique" en 2019, avant la présentation du prochain rapport du Secrétaire général sur la situation en Afrique centrale et les activités du Bureau régional. Dans ce contexte, je me réjouis de l’appui constant de ce Conseil au rôle spécifique joué par l’UNOCA en tant que Bureau régional des Nations Unies traitant des questions politiques et de paix et sécurité, dans une sous-région dotée de ressources considérables mais faisant face à d’énormes défis, ce qui exige une approche concertée et coordonnée de la communauté internationale. En tant que chef de l’UNOCA, je reste déterminé à apporter le meilleur soutien possible aux Etats membres et à produire des résultats positifs pour prévenir les conflits et maintenir la paix en Afrique centrale.
Je vous remercie pour votre aimable attention.
Full text of the Stockholm Agreement
The 46th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place today in a business-like and respectful atmosphere.
In Working Group I, the Co-Chairs and the participants assessed the overall security situation on the ground as relatively calm and stable. All participants highlighted the importance of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs) over the past years in addressing security-related issues. In this context, the Co- Chairs urged participants to resume the regular meetings of IPRMs, in Ergneti and Gali, without delay. Threat perceptions were addressed in detail from different angles and increased transparency was encouraged by the Co-Chairs. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of non-use of force, agreed to continue discussions on this issue in a comprehensive manner and new proposals were welcomed in this regard.
In Working Group II, the participants reviewed the overall humanitarian situation on the ground. In this context, they discussed in particular issues relating to missing persons, freedom of movement, healthcare, documentation, education, livelihoods and environmental concerns. Unfortunately, some participants walked out before the issue of IDPs/refugees could be addressed. In this regard, the Co-Chairs renew their call for participants to engage constructively on all agenda items.
An information session on the topic of “Women, peace and security” took place on the eve of this round, which was welcomed by the participants.
The Co-Chairs reiterated their commitment to working with the participants to revitalise the GID process, to make it more effective and result-oriented.
The participants agreed to hold the next round on 2-3 April 2019.
Mr. President, Members of the Security Council,
Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which came into effect on 16 January 2016 (Implementation Day). The Secretary-General welcomed the Plan as a demonstration of successful multilateralism, and a major achievement of nuclear non-proliferation, dialogue and diplomacy. Last month, as it has done since Implementation Day, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported to this Council that Iran continues to implement its nuclear-related commitments.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General welcomes the reaffirmation by JCPOA participants of their commitments to its full and effective implementation. It is essential that the Plan continues to work for all participants, including by delivering economic tangible benefits to the Iranian people. He regrets the re-imposition by the United States of its sanctions lifted pursuant to the Plan, after its withdrawal from the JCPOA. He believes that issues not directly related to the Plan should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments. At the same time, he calls on Iran to carefully consider and address the concerns expressed by Member States about its activities in relation to the restrictive measures contained in annex B to the resolution.
The Secretary-General notes that the Plan remains in effect and that the Security Council has called upon all Member States, regional and international organizations to support implementation of the Plan and to refrain from actions that undermine it.
Mr. President,
I thank you for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the sixth report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2231 (S/2018/1089). As guided by the Security Council, and consistent with our previous reports, the one before you today is focused on annex B to the resolution.
First, on the implementation of the nuclear-related provisions, the Secretariat has received additional information on two dual-use items destined for Iran, which were seized by the United Arab Emirates. The manufacturing States of these items informed the Secretariat that, in their assessment, they did not require prior approval by the Security Council through the procurement channel process. In addition, the Secretariat continues to examine information related to the possible transfer of the other items, undertaken contrary to the resolution, which were brought to its attention by the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
It is our assessment that the procurement channel remains a vital transparency and confidence-building mechanism. It ensures that the transfers of certain goods, technology and/or related services to the Islamic Republic of Iran are consistent with resolution 2231 and the Plan. Since January 2016, 42 proposals have been submitted to the procurement channel, of which twenty-eight (28) have been approved. The Secretary-General encourages all States and the private sector to fully utilize and support this channel.
Second, on the ballistic missile-related provisions, the report reflects information provided to the Secretary-General and to the Security Council by France, Germany, Iran, Israel, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom on additional ballistic missile flight tests reportedly conducted by Iran since January 2018, as well as on the launch of several ballistic missiles at targets in Syria on 1 October 2018. As you know, the Security Council met on 4 December 2018 to consider the reported test firing of a further medium-range ballistic missile by Iran on 1 December 2018.
Since our last report, the Secretariat examined the debris of three more ballistic missiles launched at Riyadh by the Houthis in March and April 2018. Those debris were consistent with that of the five missiles examined previously, which the Secretariat assessed share key design features with the Iranian Qiam-1 ballistic missile and had components parts manufactured in Iran. However, the Secretariat has not been able to determine whether such missiles, or parts thereof, or related technology, were transferred from Iran after 16 January 2016, the date when annex B provisions came into effect.
Third, in terms of the arms-related provisions, during the reporting period, the Secretariat examined two container launch units for anti-tank guided missiles recovered in Yemen. The Secretariat found that they had characteristics of Iranian manufacture and that their markings show production dates in 2016 and 2017. The Secretariat also examined a partly disassembled surface-to-air missile seized by the Saudi-led coalition and observed that its features appeared to be consistent with those of an Iranian Sayyad-2C missile. The Secretariat is still analyzing available information on additional unmanned aerial vehicles recovered in Yemen, including some which appear to have the same design features as the Iranian-made Ababil-2.
The report also reflects that the Secretariat examined a shipment of about 2,500 assault rifles seized by the United States in the Gulf of Aden in August 2018. The Secretariat observed that these weapons did not have the characteristics of Iranian production. The Secretariat will further analyze this seizure should new information become available, and report back accordingly. In addition, the report includes information received from Israel and Iran regarding the alleged transfer of an Iranian-produced Kordad air defence system to the "T4 airbase" in Syria in April 2018.
It also highlights the continued participation of Iranian entities in another foreign arms exhibition held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in September 2018. In relation to the travel ban provisions, the report provides additional information on a previous travel by Major General Qasem Soleimani to Iraq in May 2018.
Mr. President,
In closing, I would like to thank His Excellency Ambassador Karel van Oosterom (Netherlands) for his tenure as Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015). I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium), who will assume the functions of Facilitator on 1 January 2019, and to assure him of the Secretariat’s full support. I would also like to thank the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commission for our continued cooperation.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ON THE SIGNING OF THE 2019 NATIONAL PEACE ACCORD BY ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA
Dakar, 11 December 2018- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS),...
ASHGABAT, 6 December 2018
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to congratulate the Turkmen side with this initiative and excellent organization of the Conference on the importance of the Silk Road.
Ashgabat is an auspicious place to host such a meeting, since this year is proclaimed “...
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, concluded her first visit to Colombia today by reaffirming the UN's commitment to continue to accompany national efforts to implement the Peace Agreement.
On the first day of the visit, Ms. DiCarlo met with the President of Colombia, Iván Duque Márquez, at the Presidential Palace. President Duque was accompanied by the Vice President, Marta Lucía Ramírez; the High Commissioner for Peace, Miguel Ceballos; the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, Emilio Archilla; the Vice Chancellor, Adriana Mejía; and the High Counsellor for Human Rights, Francisco Barbosa. In a joint press conference after the meeting, Ms. DiCarlo expressed her support for the President’s efforts to implement the Agreement despite challenges encountered. She acknowledged the President’s commitment to advancing peacebuilding and reaffirmed the support of the United Nations for the Government's efforts in this regard.
Ms. DiCarlo also met with Rodrigo Londoño, President of the new FARC political party and FARC Senator Sandra Ramírez. Ms. DiCarlo congratulated them for their decision to lay down their weapons in favor of participation in politics, in compliance with the Peace Agreement, and their continued commitment to the peace process in the face of difficulties and uncertainties.
Ms. DiCarlo also met with representatives of civil society. One recurring theme was a shared concern over killings of social and community leaders. She subsequently met with the President of the Truth Commission, Francisco de Roux, and the President of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Patricia Linares, to learn about progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition and to ratify the United Nations’ strong support for both institutions.
On the second day of her visit, Ms. DiCarlo travelled to a the Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration (TATR)in San José de Oriente in the department of Cesar, where she heard about the progress and challenges of the reintegration process from the perspectives of former combatants, as well as local authorities and the UN Verification Mission staff. She was accompanied by the Head of the UN Verification Mission, Jean Arnault, and the Deputy Special Representative, Jessica Faieta, as well as former guerrillas. She was able to tour an ecotourism project, a bakery, a tailoring shop and classrooms. "I was impressed by their commitment to peace and the entrepreneurial spirit with which they are working, and I am confident that they will succeed," said Ms. DiCarlo.
She also heard FARC concerns for the reintegration process, especially those related to access to land and the implementation of productive projects. In a meeting with public security forces, Ms DiCarlo thanked them for their efficient work in providing security to the reintegration process.
To access photos of the visit of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo to Colombia go to flickr.com/photos/misiononucol/albums
