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SRSG Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert briefs Security Council on Iraq
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On 4 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, briefed the Security Council on the latest developments on the ground. She described armed clashes in the capital and elsewhere on 29 August, bringing the country to the “brink of total chaos.” With dozens dead and hundreds wounded, she said that “these tragic developments are indisputably the result of the inability of Iraq’s political class to cast the die,” and that “intra-Shia strife has not abated, nor have Kurdish parties come closer to agreeing on a presidential candidate.”
Read full remarks here
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Security Council meets to discuss Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's missile launches
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On 5 October, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari briefed the Security Council on developments in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He said that the Secretary-General called on Pyongyang to cease further destabilizing acts and comply fully with its international obligations. ASG Khiari went on to note that the Secretary-General commended key parties for their willingness to engage in dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, without preconditions. “The unity of the Security Council in this matter is essential to ease tensions,” he said.
Read full remarks here
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Colombia to restart peace talks with National Liberation Army
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On 4 October, the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) announced the resumption of peace talks. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the decision and urged both parties to take advantage of the opportunity to end a conflict that has lasted four decades. He also reiterated the UN’s readiness to support the process through Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu.
Read the statement here
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Report of the Secretary-General on the UN Mission in Colombia highlights progress towards “total peace”
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The latest report of the Secretary-General on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia presents an overview of the progress and challenges in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and describes the most important peace-related developments of the period. In the report, the Secretary-General acknowledges President Gustavo Petro's clear willingness to pursue “total peace.” The report also highlights the new Government's approach to peace and security, which prioritizes dialogue to resolve conflicts; focuses security strategies on protecting vulnerable communities and human rights; and links durable solutions to violence to overcoming long-standing inequalities through deeper transformations. For the Secretary-General, this new approach represents an opportunity to further the comprehensive implementation of the Final Peace Agreement. The Security Council will discuss the report on 12 October.
Read more here
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Delegation of the United Kingdom visits Colombia to learn about reintegration of former combatants
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On 4 October, the Political Counselor of the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom, Matilda O'Kelly, visited Icononzo, Tolima Department, with representatives of the UK Embassy in Colombia and the UN Verification Mission. O’kelly learned about the reintegration process and the Reintegration Area of La Fila, as well as the progress made towards reconciliation. Former combatants shared their thoughts on the peace process. During the visit, the United Kingdom delegation reiterated its support to Colombia and the Security Council and the peace process.
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ASG Miroslav Jenča speaks on Haiti at Organization of American States General Assembly event
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On 6 October, at an event in Lima convened by Canada, the United States and the Organization of American States, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča spoke on the critical situation in Haiti. He echoed the call of the Secretary-General for a peaceful and inclusive dialogue on a constructive way forward, stressing that the people of Haiti must not be abandoned.
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UN political and security experts meet in Nairobi to discuss peace processes in the Great Lakes Region
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On 4 October, the political units of UN presences in the Great Lakes region met in Nairobi to discuss recent political and security developments and to explore options for concerted action in support of ongoing political efforts. Participants came from UN entities, such as the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, as well as Resident Coordinators' Offices, and Peace and Development Advisors from the region. The Great Lakes region has experienced renewed challenges to peace and stability marked by a deteriorating security situation following the resurgence of the 23 March Movement (M23) in eastern DRC, which has increased the level of mistrust between countries.
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A joint statement commends the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO for their continued dialogue to advance peace and national reconciliation
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On 4 October, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Mozambique, Mirko Manzoni, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Mozambique, Myrta Kaulard, published a joint statement on the occasion of the National Day for Peace and Reconciliation. The statement commended both the Government and RENAMO for their continued use of dialogue to advance peace and national reconciliation. As Mozambique prepares to assume its seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Personal Envoy and Resident Coordinator underlined that Mozambique has an opportunity to share how dialogue can be used as a tool for creating a culture of peace.
Full statement here
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São Tomé and Príncipe: Special Representative Abarry reiterates UN support to country’s democracy
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On 4 October, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Abdou Abarry, ended a two-day visit in São Tomé, the capital of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. Mr. Abarry met with President Carlos Vila Nova, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edite Ten Juá, and other key stakeholders. He welcomed the peaceful conduct of legislative, regional and local elections on 25 September and reiterated UN support to national efforts towards sustainable development, democracy, stability, and the empowerment of women.
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UNSOM publishes quarterly report outlining activities and developments on the ground
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This week, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) launched its quarterly newsletter, which outlines the activities of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan over the last three months.
Read the newsletter here
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West Africa and the Sahel
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SRSG Annadif meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs as Nigeria prepares for 2023 general elections
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On 5 and 6 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mahamat Saleh Annadif visited the Nigerian capital of Abuja to provide UN support for the organization of general elections, scheduled for 2023. The Special Representative met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, and the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar. He also met with the presidential candidates of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso. He commended the steadfast commitment of all stakeholders to the organization of a peaceful, credible, and transparent election, demonstrated by the signing of the National Peace Agreement by the presidential candidates on 29 September.
Read more here
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SRSG Otunbayeva meets with UN Genocide Prevention Special Adviser and PGA
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This week, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Roza Otunbayeva traveled to New York. On 4 October, she met the President of the General Assembly, who congratulated her on her appointment as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan. They discussed regional developments, security, and the humanitarian and human rights situation in the country. On 5 October, she met with UN Genocide Prevention Special Adviser Alice Wariimu Nderitu to discuss issues of common concern.
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On 6 October, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Markus Potzel visited the UN-supported Ibn Sina drug treatment centre in Kabul. He commended the dedication of staff to helping the most vulnerable stigmatized people in need. He also called upon the de facto authorities to allocate resources for salaries, food, medicines and clothes.
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Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert meets with President of Iraq to discuss political situation
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On 2 October, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, was received in Baghdad by the President of Iraq, Barham Salih. They discussed the current political and security situation in the country. On 3 October, she met with the Head of Al-Hikma National Trend, Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim. They discussed the latest political developments.
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UNAMI Kirkuk Office marks Peace Day with tree-planting campaign
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On 28 September 2022, the UNAMI-Kirkuk Office marked International Day of Peace by kick-starting a tree-planting campaign to raise awareness about climate action and highlight steps to combat the adverse effects of climate change. The acting Governor of Kirkuk, Rakan Al-Juboori, planted the first tree sapling, with Governorate dignitaries, civil society representatives and United Nations staff following suit by planting an additional 150 tree seedlings.
Read more here
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UN Special Coordinator Engages with Lebanese Youth
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UN Special Coordinator Joanna Wronecka highlighted the key role that youth can play in building a better future for their country at the launch of the Global Classrooms Model United Nations simulation that is led by the Lebanese American University in partnership with schools across Lebanon. After listening to interventions by youth representatives at the event, the Special Coordinator underlined the potential that lies in Lebanon’s young generation and their right to make their voices heard, including in decision-making positions. In a separate encounter with students, academicians and professors from the Universite Saint Joseph, the Special Coordinator discussed the cooperation between the United Nations and Lebanon during this critical period and listened to their views on how to pull the country out of its crisis.
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Mobilizing International Community Support
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As part of her convening international role, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka reached out this week to members of the diplomatic community to coordinate efforts in support of Lebanon, as the country approaches important constitutional timelines. In that regard, the International Support Group for Lebanon, that is chaired by UNSCOL, issued a statement emphasizing the importance of electing prior to 31 October and within the timeframe set by the Constitution, a new President who could unite the Lebanese people. Noting the need to avoid a multilayered executive vacuum in Lebanon, the statement also called for the establishment of an empowered new government that can implement direly needed reforms. The Special Coordinator also met with visiting Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Hussam Zaki, to discuss how best to support Lebanon in line with the UN and Arab League partnership, and then with Arab ambassadors. She also hosted ambassadors representing the members of the Security Council, the EU and Turkey for similar discussions.
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