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DiCarlo: Ukraine war threatens global peace institutions
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“The war in Ukraine is one of the greatest challenges ever to the international order and the global peace architecture,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a Security Council briefing on 5 April. Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the meeting that the longer the war continues, the greater the risk that it will further weaken the global institutions and mechanisms dedicated to preserve peace and security. “The war in Ukraine was started by choice. There is no inevitability to it or to the suffering it is causing,” she said, adding that the UN is ready to do everything possible to help end it.
Full remarks to the Security Council here
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UNAMA Deputy Head meets with Afghan journalists
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Mette Knudsen, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), stressed the UN’s support to Afghanistan’s embattled media sector and journalists during a meeting on 6 April with editors of Ariana News, Pajhwok Afghan News, Shamshad News, TOLOnews and 1TV, urging the Taliban to start a dialogue with the media, end draconian measures and protect journalists from threats and violence.
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ASEAN-UN online dialogue on climate-related security risks
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DPPA and the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-IPR) organized an online dialogue on climate-related security risks on 7 April. This was the first ASEAN initiative on climate security approved by its Member States and brought together senior ASEAN diplomats, the ASEAN Secretariat and sectoral bodies, members of the ASEAN Women’s Peace Registry, and regional research institutes. Teresa Whitfield, Director of DPPA’s Policy and Mediation Division, highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships and stressed that climate action and sustaining peace should reinforce each other. An official from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat shared the Pacific’s experience in setting up a strategic framework and regional policies on climate security and highlighted the importance of the Peacebuilding Fund for operationalizing the risk assessment framework. The ASEAN-IPR Executive Director concluded that a regional policy framework is important for collective action and a climate security impact assessment can help provide the evidence base needed to better understand the risks in ASEAN and inform the next steps.
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UNAMI discusses digital rights and digital security
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On 5 April, the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office, in cooperation with the Iraqi Network for Social Media (INSM), facilitated a global “brownbag” discussion on digital rights and digital security for UN human rights presences around the world. UNAMI and INSM presented lessons learned and outlined steps on how to expand activities on digital rights in Iraq. 21 participants from various UN field missions and OHCHR country offices joined the meeting, reflecting on their own experiences. Participants highlighted the criticality of the fast-evolving field of digital security for the protection and promotion of human rights.
Read more here
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Special Coordinator discusses upcoming elections with Lebanese stakeholders
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This week, Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka met with various Lebanese stakeholders to discuss the upcoming parliamentary elections. On 4 April, she met with the General Director of the General Directorate of General Security, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, on areas of cooperation and on the security situation in Lebanon ahead of the elections. With the registration of electoral lists completed, she discussed on 5 April with Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi, the need for continued reliability and transparency in the remaining preparations to ensure a timely and successful electoral process. With Ammar Moussawi of Hizbullah, the Special Coordinator discussed the fact that electoral programs should focus on people’s aspirations and needs. On the same day, the Special Coordinator also had an exchange with former Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on the elections, including on the need to encourage citizens’ participation. On 6 April, Wronecka met with Member of Parliament Gebran Bassil, where they stressed the vital role of international and domestic elections observations. The following day, during a meeting with Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian, they agreed that the elections are an opportunity to make the people’s voices heard and to choose the representatives who can serve the country.
More updates here
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Grundberg: Truce is a rare opportunity to make progress towards a political solution
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Speaking to the media on 6 April, Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said that the two-month truce that the warring parties agreed to was the first nationwide cessation of hostilities in Yemen in the past six years. “This is both a precious and a precarious moment,” he said. He called it a rare opportunity in a long and brutal war to make progress towards a political solution. “This means the parties need to engage constructively, in good faith and without preconditions in a meaningful dialogue about ending the conflict,” the Special Envoy stressed.
Read more here
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Special Representative on farewell tour of the region
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During a farewell visit to Burundi on 5 April, François Louncény Fall, Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), commended President Evariste Ndayishimiye for the reforms implemented and the normalization of relations with partners and neighbors. On 6 and 7 April in Luanda, the Special Representative met with President João Lourenço and commended Angola for its leadership in regional integration and peace and security in Central Africa, including the reform of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the peace process in the Central African Republic.
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Libyan youth stress importance of national reconciliation, inclusivity, protection of human rights
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Stephanie Williams, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Libya, on 7 April held a dialogue with a diverse group of about 40 Libyan youth, during which she briefed them on her activities since returning to Libya in December 2021. She elaborated on the UN’s efforts to assist Libyans in holding credible national elections as soon as possible, based on a solid constitutional basis and electoral framework. The youth representatives provided their perspectives on the current situation in Libya, tackling the interlinked political, economic, security, transitional justice and national reconciliation aspects. Specifically, they spoke about the importance of finding a way out of the impasse on the legislative and executive tracks for the sake of elections, and also of the need to honor commitments to effectuate genuine national reconciliation, encourage inclusivity, and protect human rights and civil society. “This substantive exchange serves as a stark reminder of the valuable role that youth can play in determining the path forward,” Williams said, stressing: “This generation of youth, in particular, has witnessed a great deal of war, political turmoil, and institutional division – but has, nonetheless, served as a constant beacon of hope for a more stable and secure future for Libya.”
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Special Representative urges completion of electoral process
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James Swan, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and Adam Abdelmoula, Deputy Special Representative, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia met with Somalia's Minister of Finance, Dr. Abdirahman Beileh on 5 April, where they all agreed on urgently completing the electoral process in the coming weeks. Otherwise, Somalia will miss key International Monetary Fund (IMF) deadlines, jeopardizing international assistance and the health of the Somali national budget. While meeting with Federal Electoral Implementation Team (FEIT) Chairman Muse Guelleh and other FEIT members for an update on the country’s electoral process on 7 April, Special Representative Swan urged that they find a way to resolve the issues around the four seats that FEIT has not certified so the process can conclude without further delay.
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UN Humanitarian visit in Galkayo highlights dire conditions of displaced Somalis
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On a visit to the city of Galkayo in northern Somalia on 6 April, top United Nations humanitarian officials heard first-hand of the dire conditions that local communities of internally displaced people (IDPs) are enduring amid the severe drought affecting the country. “It is not a fictional thing to talk about the 1.4 million malnourished children – 330,000 of whom are at risk of dying by the end of this summer if we don't step up our engagement and provide them with the support they need,” the Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, said after visiting two IDP camps in the city’s north.
Read more here
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Forum on Human Rights and Protection of Civilians in Darfur
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Supporting implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), on 7 April, engaged Darfur civil society organizations on human rights and protection of civilians issues. Around 27 participants, including representatives of women network groups, attended the forum held in El Fasher, in North Darfur.
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West Africa and the Sahel
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Regional Conference on Climate Change, Peace and Security takes place in Dakar
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The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), with the governments of Ireland and Ghana and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organized a Regional Conference on Climate Change, Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel from 6 to 7 April. The objective was to concretely define the adverse consequences of climate change, energy insecurity, ecological changes and natural disasters on human security in the region, to take stock of current efforts at the local, national and regional levels to address climate security risks, and to identify options for strengthening current responses to climate security risks from the perspective of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. About 100 participants, including researchers, experts, civil society and government representatives from countries in the sub-region, the United Nations system, as well as regional and international partners took part. The regional conference concluded with a Call to Action to the governments of the sub-region, regional and international organizations, the UN system, and partners. UNOWAS with its partners and the participants committed to continue their efforts to support the countries of West Africa and the Sahel to address the adverse effects of climate change on peace and security.
Read more here
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More comprehensive approach needed to combat violent extremism in coastal West Africa
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Special Representative and Head of UNOWAS Mahamat Saleh Annadif participated in the Conference on Violent Extremism in Coastal West Africa in The Hague, Netherlands, from 7-8 April. The conference was indicative of the collective interest in comprehensively addressing the threats posed by violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel, including its impact on the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea, the Special Representative said. Referring to the strategy adopted in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin by the UN, Annadif emphasized the benefits of a more comprehensive approach that strengthens the nexus between peace, security and development. He called on coastal states to adopt a multidimensional and pragmatic approach involving all state entities and stakeholders. "We must be vigilant to be able to break any potential link that may develop between piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and terrorism in the Sahel," he stressed.
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Mission accompanies Sierra Nevada indigenous peoples in dialogue on the environment and peace with European parliamentarians
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On 4-5 April, Raúl Rosende, Deputy Special Representative of the Mission in Colombia, accompanied a delegation of British and Irish parliamentarians on a visit to the four indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (the Kogi, Wiwa, Arhuaco, and Kankuamo) in the indigenous community of Makemake, in Valledupar, Cesar. Indigenous leaders, governors, and authorities of the four indigenous communities expressed the need for international support for the protection of the unique ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada, the impacts, and risks of large-scale-projects; their critical human rights situation due to the presence of armed actors; and the importance of prior consultation for the implementation of projects in their territory.
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DPPA Innovation Cell nominated for Secretary-General Award
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The Secretary-General Awards honour and recognize the achievements and innovative initiatives of UN Secretariat staff members and teams. This year, DPPA’s Innovation Cell is nominated for the Award. Established in response to the Secretary-General’s call to accelerate innovative methods and strategic foresight, DPPA’s Innovation Cell explores new technologies, tools and practices in conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding. The call to vote is open until 10 April and UN staff members are invited to vote for the nominees here.
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In 2020, 501 civilians were killed or injured in Somalia due to improvised explosive devices and explosive remnants of war. In 2021, the number of casualties increased to 669 casualties. “The contamination by and from explosive remnants of war and landmines resulting from years of conflict in Somalia continues to have detrimental effects on safety and human security, and hampers development efforts,” said UN Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April. The UN in Somalia works closely with national and international mine action specialists, in responding to explosive threats faced by communities, while enhancing the capacity of Somalis to lead and coordinate mine action responses.
Read more here
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“Fighting the enduring impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war continues to be an integral part of the peace process in Sudan to ensure safety, stabilization, and development for all affected communities,” Khardiata Lo N’Diaye, Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan said on 4 April, stressing: “It requires a unified effort from all of us to achieve a mine-free Sudan.” As of 31 December 2021, 136.7 km2 or 84% out of the recorded 162 km2 of contaminated land in Sudan has been released, the UN in Sudan reports. However, large swaths of contaminated land are likely to be underreported, particularly in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Jabbal Marra of Darfur states.
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Marking Mine Awareness Day, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that mines are one of the most harmful legacies of a conflict. “Only by eliminating explosive devices from Colombian territory, we will guarantee the safety of communities,” he stressed. The United Nations will continue to support efforts towards the full implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement, including the provisions of mine action, he added.
Watch his video message here
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