The eruption of violence in the Kingdom of Eswatini in recent days is “deeply concerning”, amid reports that dozens of people have been killed or injured during protests calling for democratic reforms, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. In a statement later in the day, the UN chief called for "inclusive and meaningful dialogue", to end the violence.
Ten years after South Sudan achieved independence, more children there are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance than ever before, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said on Tuesday.
Out now! Season 2 | Episode 7 | She Stands For Peace | Click here: https://unoau.unmissions.org/podcast-series-she-stands-peace
Senior UN officials appealed on Friday for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to Tigray – and for an end to deadly attacks on aid workers - as the Security Council held its first open meeting on the conflict in the restive northern Ethiopian region.
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Thank you, Mr. President.
Ethiopia is at a critical juncture. Recent developments demonstrate the need to address issues plaguing the country in a comprehensive and sustainable way. The consequences of not doing so could be disastrous.
After almost eight months of conflict the Federal Government of Ethiopia announced on 28 June a unilateral ceasefire in Tigray, citing the need to address the humanitarian crisis in the region. Subsequent to the announcement, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the Provisional Tigray Administration withdrew from Tigray’s capital, Mekelle.
On 27-28 June, the Tigray Defense Force (TDF) entered major towns and cities of Tigray, including Adwa, Aksum, Shire and Humera. The TDF are now in Mekelle. The situation in Mekelle is reportedly calm and the TDF appear to be in control of the city. Reports indicate that leaders of the previous Tigray regional administration, including its former president, have returned to Mekelle. As of today, the TDF has yet to agree to the ceasefire.
While there have been no reports of serious incidents, basic services to support humanitarian delivery are absent. Mekelle has no electrical power, or internet. Key infrastructure has been destroyed, and there are no flights entering or leaving the area.
Elsewhere in Tigray, the Eritrean Defense Force (EDF) has withdrawn to areas adjacent to the border, while in the west of Tigray, the Amhara regional force remains in place despite advances by the TDF. On 29 June, the Amhara branch of the ruling Prosperity Party issued a statement warning that Amhara regional forces would oppose any attempts by the TDF to take territory in western Tigray, which was seized during the conflict. In short, there is potential for more confrontations and a swift deterioration in the security situation, which is extremely concerning.
The ceasefire announcement provides an opportunity that all parties to the conflict, including the TPLF, must seize and build upon. In this regard, we urge the TDF to endorse the ceasefire immediately and completely. As the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator will outline, our immediate concern is focused on those in urgent need of assistance in Tigray. Food insecurity has only continued to worsen in recent days. We must scale-up the response.
All parties must ensure the safe passage of humanitarian workers for the continued delivery of supplies. The destruction of the Tekeze bridge on 1 July effectively cut off Central Tigray from Western Tigray, closing a vital artery for humanitarian assistance.
A ceasefire observed by all parties would not only facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid but would also be a starting point for the necessary political efforts to chart a way out of the crisis. The conflict in Tigray is a result of deep-rooted political grievances that can only be resolved through dialogue and a credible political process.
This morning, in a briefing to the diplomatic corps in Addis Ababa, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that once the election results were announced and a new government formed, the government would take steps to hold an all-inclusive dialogue process. This is a welcome development. Such a process could be part of a broader effort to address the country’s structural challenges, encourage reconciliation and foster consensus on the way forward for Ethiopia’s transition.
Mr. President,
Once again, and predictably, civilians have paid the heaviest price in an armed conflict.
An estimated 1.7 million people have been displaced, with more than 60,000 refugees crossing into Sudan. I call on the parties to place paramount concern on the protection and well-being of civilians. That requires strict respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law.
I also call on the parties to offer all necessary assistance to the ongoing joint investigation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. There must be accountability for the grievous human rights violations committed during the conflict, including acts of sexual violence against children and adults and mass killings.
This morning, the Federal Government of Ethiopia reiterated its commitment to the joint investigation and to accountability. We look forward to seeing the concrete results of that undertaking.
Further, Ethiopia’s neighbours can play a constructive role in supporting the country’s transition while respecting its sovereignty. The withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray must be fully implemented.
Mr. President,
The 2018 rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the reforms introduced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed raised hopes for a new era of stability and peace in the Horn of Africa. The wide-ranging transition has proven to be both challenging and hopeful. It has brought to the fore disagreements around fundamental issues such as the federal structure of the state and the role and status of ethnicity, as well as how such disputes should be addressed.
The recent national elections were an important milestone in this regard. They were, by many accounts, an improvement on previous polls in the country and were held in a generally peaceful manner. They were, however, affected by insecurity and technical problems. Some opposition groups did not participate. It is my hope that the electoral process can be concluded in a peaceful and secure environment and that any disputes are addressed in accordance with the laws and constitution of Ethiopia.
But elections are just one part of the democratic process. I urge the Federal Government, to deepen efforts to open the political space and facilitate the meaningful participation in public life for all Ethiopians, including women, youth and civil society.
Many of the political parties who chose not to participate in the recent polls cited the need for something more than the ballot box to heal the deep divisions in Ethiopia’s body politic and society. Many asked for a national dialogue as a space or platform where Ethiopians could reflect about reconciling the many competing visions of the future of the country’s political system.
In its recent ceasefire announcement, the government stated, referring to the elections: “Ethiopians from all walks of life have sent a strong signal that they are ready to work together to build a stronger, united, and democratic Ethiopia, removing the seeds of discord and division sown within the Ethiopian body politic.”
I encourage the government to follow through on today’s announcement and harness these sentiments. In this regard, I offer the full expertise and support of the United Nations, including assistance to domestically-driven, inclusive, and comprehensive mediation and dialogue processes. We hope that such a dialogue would include discussions at the federal member state level encouraging as many sectors of the population as possible to have an input into consolidation of the reform process and the future of the country.
The promise of the Ethiopian transition remains real and can be fulfilled, with the necessary political will. Peace and stability in the country, the cornerstone of the Horn region, may well depend on it.
Mr. President,
Allow me to offer some areas of concerted international support to Ethiopia as it traverses the current crisis.
The United Nations will continue to stand alongside Ethiopia. We are ready to extend all the means of support at our disposal to help put the country back on track.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has resumed operations in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, after fighting halted the emergency response last week, although the agency warned on Friday that “serious challenges” continue to threaten the entire humanitarian response.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you today for the International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem. I thank the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, for this timely initiative.
The theme of this year’s Conference is particularly relevant, as the tragic events of this past May are still fresh in our memory. The surge in tensions and violence in occupied East Jerusalem since the beginning of Ramadan played a role in triggering the disastrous chain of events culminating in 11 days of deadly armed conflict. The Gaza escalation, the fourth since 2008, claimed many lives, including children, and left the Israeli and Palestinian populations deeply traumatized and even more distrustful of each other.
The imminent threat of evictions of Palestinian families in occupied East Jerusalem, from homes where they had been living for generations, heightened tensions. Protests, violent attacks, the response by the Israeli security forces, and clashes around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, escalated them to a dangerous level. Inflammatory rhetoric from both sides further fuelled conflict. I am especially concerned by the attempt to exploit the sensitive status of Jerusalem and to use it to justify a broader armed conflict.
I echo the call by the Secretary-General for Israel to cease house demolitions and evictions, and illegal settlement activities in the occupied territory, in line with its obligations under international law. All measures to change Jerusalem’s status and demographic composition are without legal validity and should be firmly rejected by the international community, in line with Security Council resolutions. Unilateral actions and provocations must cease.
The Gaza ceasefire is holding but remains fragile. The crisis is far from over. The launching from Gaza of incendiary balloons, causing fires in Israel, and the retaliatory Israeli airstrikes, risk renewed escalation. The provocative “flag march”, brought about more protests and violent clashes. The evictions, though put on hold for now, still threaten to heighten tensions.
I reiterate the call to all sides to uphold and respect the status quo of Jerusalem holy sites. Political and religious leaders should promote mutual respect and tolerance through their actions and statements. This recent period of tension witnessed many civil society initiatives in which Palestinian and Israelis worked together for calm. We should all amplify their voices against those spreading hate and inciting violence.
The postponement of the Palestinian election process has also impacted the situation, with significant implications for the future of the Palestinian national project. I echo the Secretary-General in commending the tireless efforts of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The recent fighting caused heavy damage to vital infrastructure in Gaza, triggering a humanitarian emergency and exacerbating an already fragile situation. I appeal to the international community to respond generously to the Gaza humanitarian appeal and to work with the United Nations in delivering humanitarian, reconstruction and recovery assistance. I join the appeals to Israel to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials into Gaza.
I also urge Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza to refrain from attacks and provocations that would again destabilize the situation.
As the Special Coordinator told the Security Council, we must avoid short-term fixes and focus on how we can work toward resolving the deadlock in Gaza and the Palestinian divide. Sustaining ceasefires and improving arrangements on the ground are important elements of UN preventive diplomacy, which aims to create space for political action. But they cannot substitute a permanent status agreement, vital for sustainable peace.
The recent crisis has served as another reminder of the imperative to renew momentum towards peace. The Quartet has stepped up its activities to bring about a new path to revive negotiations. The Secretary-General has expressed hope that the normalization agreements signed between Israel and several Arab countries will create an opportunity for Israeli-Palestinian re-engagement. We will work tirelessly to translate those opportunities into tangible outcomes.
I urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders, supported by a revitalized Quartet, to recommit to a path of credible negotiations to address all the key outstanding permanent status issues. This is the only way to bring about the long-promised vision of two States, based on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as their shared capital. In working toward this goal, it is essential to re-establish national unity and renew the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions.
The United Nations is committed to supporting Israelis and Palestinians in these endeavours.
Thank you for your attention.
Despite “significant progress” in the fight against terrorism, the UN counter-terrorism chief warned on Wednesday that amidst new and more diverse threats, COVID-19 has triggered increased activity throughout many countries.
Thank you, Mr. President for the opportunity to brief on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear issue is the outcome of 12 years of intense diplomatic effort and technical negotiations.
The Secretary-General has always regarded the JCPOA as the best way to ensure that the nuclear programme of the Islamic Republic of Iran remains exclusively peaceful. He therefore considers it and Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Plan, crucial to the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, and regional and international security.
Since July 2015, the Secretary-General has consistently and repeatedly underscored the importance for the international community to preserve the JCPOA.
He has called for concerns regarding its implementation to be addressed constructively by its participants, and for issues outside the Plan to be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments.
Mr. President,
The context for the implementation of the JCPOA and resolution 2231 (2015) has improved considerably since this Council last met in December 2020 to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue.
As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, the United States, through its 18 February letter addressed to the President of the Security Council, withdrew previous letters sent to the Council in August and September 2020, respectively. This was a first and necessary step to heal a divided Council, and to pave the way for the Vienna talks.
The continued diplomatic efforts in Vienna offer a critical opportunity for both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to return to the full and effective implementation of the Plan and of the resolution. This would be a welcome and crucial development.
It is therefore essential that all Member States promote a conducive environment and avoid any action that may have a negative impact on these ongoing diplomatic efforts, as well as on regional stability.
Likewise, all initiatives in support of trade and economic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran remain important, especially given the current economic and health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, I echo the Secretary-General’s appeal to the United States to lift or waive its sanctions outlined in the Plan, extend the waivers with regard to the trade in oil with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to once again facilitate nuclear-related activities consistent with the Plan and the resolution.
These activities relate to non-proliferation projects, including at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Fordow Facility, and the Arak reactor. These are needed steps to facilitate the full implementation of the Plan and resolution 2231 (2015), as well as enable the Iranian people to secure the tangible benefits foreseen by the Plan.
Mr. President,
A return to the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA and the resolution is all the more important in light of the additional steps taken by the Islamic Republic of Iran to reduce its nuclear-related commitments under the Plan, following the withdrawal of the United States from the Plan.
The International Atomic Energy Agency informed the Council that Iran has installed new and advanced centrifuges and begun research and development activities for the production of uranium metal.
Iran has also enriched uranium up to 60% and has now an estimated total enriched uranium stockpile of 3,241 kg – further surpassing JCPOA stipulated limits in both cases. The Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that these measures, as previous measures taken since 1 July 2019, are reversible.
Further, as of 23 February 2021, Iran decided to suspend voluntary transparency measures envisaged by the JCPOA, including the Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
However, in February the Agency and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding, allowing the Agency to continue with its necessary monitoring and verification activities. This understanding expired on 24 June, and Iran has not indicated whether it intends to maintain the current arrangement.
Mr. President,
The Agency’s monitoring and verification activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the uninterrupted collection and storage of data by its monitoring and surveillance equipment, are essential to help build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
I call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to resume the temporary technical understanding with the Agency without delay, to refrain from taking further steps to reduce its commitments, and to return to full implementation of the Plan.
Iran should also carefully consider the other concerns raised by participants in the Plan and by other Member States in relation to resolution 2231 (2015).
Mr. President,
I will now turn to the measures set out in annex B to the resolution, as outlined in the Secretary-General’s eleventh report on the implementation of resolution 2231.
First, on the nuclear-related provisions, we have not received any report on the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items contrary to paragraph 2 of annex B.
The Security Council continued its consideration of requests for the supply, sale or transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items to Iran through the procurement channel. One new proposal was submitted through the channel in the reporting period, bringing the total to 52 proposals received since 16 January 2016.
The Council has received eight notifications, submitted pursuant to paragraph 2 of annex B, for certain nuclear-related activities consistent with the Plan.
Second, regarding the ballistic missile-related provisions of the resolution, information was provided to the Secretary-General and the Security Council by France, Germany, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom concerning ballistic missile launches and a space launch vehicle test by Iran in January and February 2021.
The information provided reflects divergent views among those Member States as to whether those launches are inconsistent with the resolution.
Third, on the asset freeze provisions, the Secretariat did not receive any official information alleging action inconsistent with the asset freeze provisions.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by stressing again the importance and value of the JCPOA to the international non-proliferation architecture, as well as for regional and international security.
In this defining moment, it is therefore critical for all parties, to seize this opportunity to put the JCPOA back on the right track as soon as possible.
In so doing, the JCPOA would, again, serve as a powerful example of successful multilateral diplomacy and as proof that even the most contentious issues can be effectively addressed through dialogue, understanding and reciprocity.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Her Excellency Ms Geraldine Byrne Nason, in her role as Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) and to assure her of our 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.
Read here the latest UNSOM Quarterly Newsletter.
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UN humanitarians expressed concern on Tuesday at the uncertain situation in Ethiopia's conflict-ravaged Tigray region despite a ceasefire call from the Government, highlighting the ongoing famine-like conditions there and the potential for disease outbreaks.
Although the fight against terrorism has made important advances in thwarting attacks across the world, the UN chief said on Monday that threats continue to persist and diversify.
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Progress towards resolving Syria’s decade-long war is unlikely, given the ‘gulf of mistrust’ among parties and complexity of conditions on the ground, the chief UN mediator for the country told the Security Council on Friday, as he urged delegates to unite around elements of resolution 2254 (2015) and called for a new international dialogue to achieve a breakthrough.
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The cessation of hostilities negotiated last month between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, remains “very fragile”, the UN envoy there told the Security Council on Thursday.
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