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Annadif: Resurgence of coups d'état in West Africa and the Sahel consequence of being ‘out of step’ with people’s aspirations
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Briefing the Security Council on 10 January, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mahamat Saleh Annadif reiterated that insecurity in the Sahel is compromising progress in the entire region as large-scale attacks against military objectives and civilians continue in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. He also addressed the resurgence of coups d'état, saying it is often the consequence of political practices that are out of step with the aspirations of the populations. In this context, he commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its active engagement with the crises in Mali and Guinea.
Read more here
Full remarks at the Security Council here
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“Genuine political will, responsible leadership and adherence to the interest of the entire population is needed to sustainably put Yemen on a different trajectory”
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Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, briefed the Security Council on 12 January, reporting that the parties in the conflict are doubling down on military options. With Ansar Allah determined to continue its assault on Marib and renewed fighting in Shabwa, he said that the situation in the country appears to be once more entering an escalatory cycle with predictable devastating implications for civilians and the immediate prospects for peace. The Special Envoy added that he has been focusing on developing a comprehensive, inclusive multitrack approach that covers political, security and economic issues. This ramework aims at facilitating incremental progress in these different areas in parallel.
Full remarks at the Security Council here
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Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzer discusses UN-ASEAN cooperation with Cambodia
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Speaking virtually with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen on 13 January, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer urged immediate action based on strengthened United Nations-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Myanmar and address the desperate needs of its people. She underlined her readiness to help strengthen regional efforts towards effective urgent implementation of the “Five-Point Consensus”. She stressed that a Myanmar-led process towards a peaceful, democratic and inclusive future needs to be supported by a coherent international approach grounded on regional unity.
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"We need to act now to prevent economic and social collapse and find ways to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans"
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Secretary-General António Guterres held on 13 January a press stakeout on Afghanistan, following the launch on 11 January of the UN’s largest-ever humanitarian appeal for a single country (US$5 billion). He said that we are in a race against time to help the Afghan people as more than half of its population now depends on life-saving assistance. Noting the recent Security Council resolution 2615 on a humanitarian exception to the UN sanctions regime for Afghanistan, he stressed that rules and conditions that prevent money from being used to save lives and the economy must be suspended in this emergency situation.
Full transcript of his press stakeout here
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UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy 2022 enrollment now open
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The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) is accepting applications for its annual training sessions for youth on preventive diplomacy. This year’s participants will gain understanding of the basics of preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention strategies, intercultural communication, information security in the cyberspace, human rights, the role and participation of youth in preventing violent extremism, and other topics linked to the Youth, Peace and Security and the Youth Strategy 2030 agendas. The application is open through 31 January 2022.
Read more information on the program and eligibility here
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Special Envoy concludes visit to London
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The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded on 11 January a visit to the United Kingdom where he met with James Cleverly, the Minister for Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and a number of senior British officials. They discussed the deteriorating economic situation in Yemen as well as the recent military escalation and its impact on the prospects of reaching a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict. "There are no sustainable solutions to be gained from military escalation. The parties can and should engage in a sustained political dialogue aimed at de-escalating the violence and finding a way towards a negotiated comprehensive solution,” Special Envoy Grundberg said.
Read more here
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UNMHA patrol visits As-Salif port
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The UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) visited As-Salif port and neighboring areas on 12 January. The UNMHA patrol team saw from a distance the UAE-flagged vessel, RWABEE, which according to media reports was seized by Houthis on 3 January, and spoke to its crew members. The team also visited a market and school in As-Salif to interact with the local population with no indication of militarization observed in the areas patrolled. A day earlier, UNMHA had expressed its concern at the allegations of the militarization of the Hudaydah ports and reiterated its readiness to address any concerns on this front.
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Special Representative discusses political situation with Iraqi senior officials
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Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), met on 13 January in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to discuss the current political situation in the country. She also met with the Head of the Wisdom (Hikma) Movement, Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim.
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Special Adviser Williams continues discussions to keep electoral process moving forward
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Stephanie Williams, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General for Libya, met on 8 January with the Head of Taghyeer Party, Guma El Gamaty in Tripoli to exchange views on the current political situation and the importance of holding elections, as she continues her consultation this week with various political actors. On 9 January, she convened a consultative session of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) women's bloc. Recalling the timeline laid out in the LPDF roadmap, which extends until June 2022, she stressed the need to respect the will of the 2.5 million Libyans who collected their voter registrations cards and called for urgent and serious efforts to address the crisis of legitimacy facing Libya's national institutions. On 10 January in Tunis, she met with Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Othman Jerandi, where she commended Tunisia’s instrumental role and commitment to the stability of Libya, as well as the support extended to UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Find out more about her latest engagements in the region
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Personal Envoy visits Morocco
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Staffan de Mistura, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, embarked on his first visit to the region on 12 January. He will hear the views of concerned parties on how to make progress towards a constructive resumption of the political process on Western Sahara. He met Moroccan officials in Rabat, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and Frente POLISARIO officials in Tindouf/Rabouni. He plans to visit Algiers and Nouakchott during this trip.
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West Africa and the Sahel
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Special Representative meets UK ambassadors
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On 14 January, Special Representative Mahamat Saleh Annadif met with Moazzam Malik, Director General Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom (UK), and Victoria Billing, UK Ambassador to Senegal, Cabo Verde and Guinea Bissau. They discussed various important topics, including the situation in West Africa and the Sahel and ways to further strengthen the partnership with UNOWAS.
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Quarterly newsletter highlights UNOWAS and CNMC activities and efforts in consolidating peace and security in the region
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The latest magazine focuses on the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC), the election in The Gambia, and UNOWAS’ support stabilization efforts in the Lake Chad Basin together with the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).
Read in English
Read in French
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Special Representative announces new intra-Sudanese political process to support Sudanese democracy and peace
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Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), formally launched on 8 January a UN-facilitated intra-Sudanese political process. It aims at supporting Sudanese stakeholders in agreeing on a way out of the current political crisis to a sustainable path forward towards democracy and peace. “It is time to end the violence and enter into a constructive process,” said the Special Representative, noting his concern that the current political impasse may slide the country further into instability and squander important gains made thus far.
Read more here
Read the 7 Points on the Consultations on a Political Process for Sudan here
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National Consultative Council reaches consensus to hold delayed elections by 25 February
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James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), took part in the 10 January meeting of the National Consultative Council (NCC) in Mogadishu, where the Council reached consensus to clarify electoral procedures and expedite the House of the People elections. Along with other UN representatives in Somalia, Special Representative Swan encouraged Somalia’s political leaders to continue in a spirit of cooperation, avoid provocations that risk new tensions or conflict, and stay focused on delivering a credible electoral process quickly for the benefit of all Somalis.
Read more here
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UN commemorates lives lost in 2010 Haiti earthquake
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On 12 January, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the rest of the UN team in the country took part in a ceremony to mark the 12th anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the capital of Haiti and surrounding areas, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of Haitians as well as 102 UN staff. Secretary-General António Guterres said the victims will never be forgotten: “We remember and honor them and their legacy through our work.”
Read more here
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Under Norway’s presidency, the Security Council will hold an open debate on Women, Peace and Security: protecting participation on 18 January. Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland will brief on the Middle East on 19 January. And Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu will update the Council on the situation in Colombia on 20 January.
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