On Mogadishu visit, USG DiCarlo reaffirms UN support for Somalia

On a two-day visit to Somalia this week, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo reaffirmed the UN's support for the country’s peace- and state-building. “The UN has been a longstanding partner to Somalia and remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Somali government and its people,” she said. “Together, we aim to build on the commendable achievements and priorities agreed upon to address key development challenges facing the country – we stand ready to work alongside the Federal Government of Somalia to accomplish this,” she added. The Under-Secretary-General is now in Addis Ababa, where, in addition to holding talks with Ethiopian officials, she will accompany the Secretary-General to the annual UN-African Union meeting. 

Yemenis "continue to yearn and work for peace," Special Envoy tells Security Council

On 15 October, Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, told the Security Council that "Yemen and its people are already feeling the impact of this escalating regional conflict." He went on to note that "Yemenis continue to yearn and work for peace after more than nine years of conflict, which has ravaged the country, displaced millions, separated families, and shattered the economy." He called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, "including 17 United Nations personnel—four of whom are women and one of whom is from my own team," emphasizing he was "counting on the support of this Council in sending this clear message,."

Supporting Colombia's peace process "a unique opportunity" for the UN, says SRSG Massieu

On 15 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu detailed progress as the 2016 peace agreement approached its eighth anniversary. He underscored that much work remained to be done, including by tackling the complex security situation in several regions of the country, where signatories to the Final Agreement continued to be the target of violence by armed actors fighting for territorial control. He also voiced his concern over the stalemate in talks between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), which led to the expiration of their bilateral ceasefire in August, and affirmed the Mission’s readiness to support negotiations. “Supporting Colombia’s peace process is a privilege and a unique opportunity for the United Nations,” he stressed.

Security Council extends Haiti sanctions regime

On 18 October, the Security Council adopted a resolution to extend the Haiti sanctions regime for an additional 12 months (the text will be issued as resolution 2752 (2024)). The vote was unanimous.

Peacebuilding Commission and African Union Peace and Security Council hold 7th annual discussion on peace and stability challenges in Africa

On 15 October, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) held their 7th annual discussion on peace and stability challenges in Africa. Both bodies recognized that ongoing violence and instability on the continent necessitate not only renewed commitment but also innovative approaches to peacebuilding. The recent adoption of the Pact for the Future and the forthcoming review of the Peacebuilding Architecture were viewed as critical opportunities to advance these efforts. The AUPSC called, in particular, for more dedicated funding for peacebuilding in Africa and advocated for strengthened collaboration with development financial institutions and the private sector. They also advocated for national prevention strategies, underscoring the importance of political commitment and national ownership. A joint statement was adopted by the AUPSC and the PBC reaffirming their dedication to supporting national peacebuilding efforts in Africa and to enhancing their collaboration.

UNOCA supports workshop on role of Gabonese media

From 16-18 October in Mouila, southern Gabon, the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) provided support to the High Authority for Communication (HAC) and the Gabonese Council for Freedom of Communication (CGLC) for a workshop for journalists on “the consolidation of freedom of the press in the context of the Gabonese transition." UNOCA stressed that during the transition, the role of the media and journalists is not limited to reporting events, but also to establishing a civic culture that values ​​democratic principles, by making citizens aware of their rights and duties.

UNOWAS co-chairs open day on women, youth, peace and security

On 15 October, SRSG and Head of the UN office for West Africa and the Sahel Leonardo Santos Simão co-chaired with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone Timothy Kabba a regional open day on women, youth, peace and security. Around 150 women and young leaders from West Africa and the Sahel discussed national and regional efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts, as well as how to accelerate the full participation of women in conflict prevention and peace processes.

SRSG Imnadze attends event on protection of critical energy infrastructure

This week, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze gave opening remarks at an event on protecting critical energy infrastructure from terrorist attacks. The event was organized by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) with support from the Governments of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation. Participants focused on raising awareness of terrorist threats to critical energy infrastructure.

SRSG Mohamed Al Hassan assumes his new post in Iraq, meets with senior officials

On 13 October, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) held a ceremonial welcome event with the UN Guard Unit for the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Mohamed Al Hassan, at UN Iraq Headquarters in Baghdad. On 14 October, the SRSG met with representatives from the 23 UN agencies of the Iraq Country Team. On 13 October, SRSG Al Hassan met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. They discussed the situation in the region. On 14 October, the SRSG met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein. They discussed continuing cooperation between UNAMI and the Government of Iraq. On 15 October, the SRSG undertook his first visit to the Kurdistan Region, where he met separately with the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani. During the visit, discussions focused on the situation in the Kurdistan Region. On 16 October, the SRSG met separately in Erbil with Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government, Salahadeein M. Bahaoddin, Secretary-General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union, and Ali Bapir, Head of the Kurdistan Justice Group. In his meetings, the SRSG discussed the situation in the Kurdistan Region, including the forthcoming regional parliamentary elections and UNAMI’s technical support and advice to the electoral institutions.

UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance holds meetings ahead of upcoming Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections

This week, UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance electoral staff visited the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) Audit Centre in Dohuk, the storage location for Polling Centre Optical Scanners and Voter Verification Devices (pictured). The team witnessed preparation of polling materials for delivery, including ballot papers and ballot boxes, and met with several polling centre officials. On 13 October, UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance delegation met separately with Director of the IHEC Erbil Governorate Electoral Office, and the IHEC Commissioner who heads the Committee on Electoral Observation Affairs, as well as the Head of IHEC Kurdistan Regional Electoral Office, to discuss preparations for the upcoming elections. On 8 and 9 October, the UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance held a meeting in Sulaymaniyah with civil society organizations involved in voter education and electoral observation to discuss the role of civil society in the electoral process. The Office also met separately in Halabja with the acting head of the security committee and civil society organizations to discuss electoral security and preparations.

Digging for truth, unearthing justice in Medellín

This week, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia accompanied victims of the conflict and "mothers of the disappeared" to La Escombrera, Medellín for a commemorative event “digging for truth, unearthing justice”, 22 years after Operation Orion in Comuna 13. The event was also attended by the Search Unit for Missing Persons, the UN Development Programme and Corporacion Juridica Libertad.

Next Week

On 22 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General María Isabel Salvador will brief the Security Council on the situation in Haiti. On 23 October, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Geir Pedersen will brief on Syria. On 24 October, the Council will hold an open debate on Women, Peace and Security.