To start this week, we cover: food aid diversions in Yemen; 9.7 billion of people on earth by 2050; Law of the Sea Convention; World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought; triple suicide bombing in Nigeria; and a solar power plant for health care in Gaza.
Food continues to be taken “from the mouths of hungry little boys and little girls” in many areas of Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels, warned the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday, who said the agency would be forced to suspend some food assistance within days, unless agreements are finally honoured.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, condemned on Sunday the attack that took place on Saturday in Wajir County, Kenya, in which at least eight police officers were killed when their car struck an improvised explosive device (IED), and the car bomb attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, in which at least eight people were killed.
Thank you, Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Security Council,
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to inform the Security Council on the developments that have taken place in Burundi since February this year, when Special Envoy Michel Kafando latest briefed in this chamber. I will also be sharing some details on his last visit to the East African sub-region, as and to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
I take this opportunity to recognize the important presence at this meeting of the Commissioner for Peace and Security H.E. Smaïl Chergui, the Permanent Representative of Burundi, H.E. Albert Shingiro and the Chair of the Peacebuilding Configuration for Burundi H.E. Jürg Lauber.
Mr. President,
The following are some notable developments in Burundi since February of this year.
The Government’s attention is focused on the conduct of 2020 general elections and continues to mobilize its citizens to contribute towards their preparation;
The Independent National Elections Commission (CENI) continues its efforts to sensitize the population on democratic values, in pursuit of peaceful and credible elections. The CENI’s meeting initially called on 14 June to announce the calendar of the general elections has been postponed;
On 20 March, the Congrès National pour la Liberté (CNL) of Agathon Rwasa after much ado, was authorized to conduct its first ordinary congress which enabled the political party to designate its national representatives;
On 17 April, the Electoral Code was adopted by a large majority of the National Assembly and unanimously endorsed by the Senate on 24 April. Some opposition members denounced the process surrounding the adoption of the Electoral Code. In their view, the process lacked the widespread consultation and consensus that is required for the legal framework for the organization and conduct of the elections in 2020.
Against the backdrop of these developments, the human rights situation remains worrying in view of many violations of fundamental civic and political freedoms as reported by political actors, some media and civil society organizations. Increases in unemployment and the rise in prices of basic commodities and services have negatively affected the economic and socio-cultural rights.
The humanitarian situation has remained largely unchanged since the last briefing of Special Envoy Kafando. Despite a relatively satisfactory agricultural production this year, nearly 1.8 million people remain at risk of food insecurity, due to recurrent and devastating climatic hazards.
As at 30 April 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated the number of refugees hosted in the sub-region to be around 352,000. We encourage the Government of Burundi to work closely with its partners to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need in a timely fashion. We also encourage international partners to increase their contributions as the Humanitarian Response Plan, requiring US $ 106.4 million, is currently only 24 percent funded, while the Regional Refugee Response Plan, requiring US $ 296 million, is only 17 percent funded.
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Security Council,
You will recall that the 20th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the East African community held on 1 February in Arusha renewed the mandate of the Mediator, the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni. The Summit also received the final report of the Facilitator, former President Benjamin Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania. The report is a synthesis of the five sessions of the inter-Burundian dialogue as well as the Facilitator’s Road Map to support Burundi ahead of the 2020 general elections. The Summit did agree to continue to consult on the way forward.
It is in this context that from 10 to 22 May, Special Envoy Kafando traveled to the African Union Headquarters and to the countries of the East African subregion to consult with regional leaders.
In Addis Ababa, Special Envoy Kafando held consultations with the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, and H.E. Smaïl Chergui; the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security. In Dares-Salaam, Special Envoy Kafando held separate engagements with the former Facilitator of the inter-Burundian dialogue, former President Benjamin Mkapa, before meeting with H.E. Professor Palamagamba Kadugi the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania. On 16 May, Special Envoy Kafando was received by H.E. John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Special Envoy then traveled to Bujumbura but did not meet with the Burundian authorities due to their busy schedules. Nonetheless, he used the opportunity to meet with some ambassadors accredited to Burundi as well as the United Nations country team. In Kigali, the Special Envoy met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera, on 21 May.
Mr. President,
During Special Envoy Kafando’s interactions at the AU and in the sub-region, with a view to stimulating discussions, including on continued UN partnership with the EAC and the African Union in our collective efforts to support Burundi, he suggested three possible courses of action for the consideration of stakeholders. These were: (i) the possibility of convening a meeting of the guarantors of the Arusha Agreement with a view to reaffirm its centrality to Burundi’s political stability; (ii) support to the African Union and the subregion in the context of the elections in the subregion; and (iii) the continuation of the Joint Technical Working Group (which comprises the EAC-AU-UN) in support of region-led
efforts on Burundi.
Throughout the consultations, the Special Envoy’s interlocutors underscored the need to respect the sovereignty of Burundi. They also stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the United Nations, the East African Community and the African Union in support of the country, especially in the context of the upcoming 2020 elections. They thanked the Special Envoy for an opportunity to reflect on his suggestions to them.
In this regard, Special Envoy Kafando will return to the region to engage with the Mediator on how best the African Union and the United Nations can support regional efforts.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the interlocutors of the Special Envoy for engaging constructively. The Secretariat encourages leaders of the region to continue consultations with the Special Envoy especially during his upcoming trip to the region. When the consultations of the Special Envoy are duly concluded, the outcomes will be the basis upon which the Secretary-General could define and recommend to the Security Council the way forward, including options in support of the EAC-led and AU-endorsed inter-Burundian dialogue ahead of 2020 elections, as indicated in his latest report to the Council.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Security Council,
I thank you for your kind attention.
A UN Security Council meeting on the security and political situation in Burundi was held on Friday, as the country continues to grapple with a four-year-long crisis and is gearing up for new elections in 2020.
The joint African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), is suspending the handover of any more camps for displaced civilians to the Sudanese military, against a backdrop of worsening violence and insecurity across the country.
Global problems require global solutions that rely on “essential” partnerships, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday, stating that “our cooperation with the League of Arab States is pivotal”.
This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".
Yemen/Regional CooperationUnder-Secretary-General DiCarlo visits Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan In Bishkek, the USG attended a retreat for UN Resident Coordinators convened by the Special Representative and Head of UNRCCA, Natalia Gherman. USG DiCarlo also met Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, and Sooronbay Jeenbekov, President of Kyrgyzstan. She also attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit while in Bishkek.
New YorkConflict prevention and mediation among ‘most important tools’ to reduce human suffering, Secretary-General Guterres tells Security Council Guinea-BissauCivil society groups demand an end to parliamentary crisis
Central AfricaStrategic review of UNOCA’s mandate |
Middle EastHeads of political and peacebuilding missions meet in Jerusalem
AfghanistanCivilian population in Afghanistan must be protected from harm – UNAMA
Afghan women’s full participation essential to ongoing peace process, says UN envoy ColombiaYoung political party representatives visit reintegration area
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Addressing the Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, the head of the UN Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, said that amid ongoing violence, including scores of civilian deaths and deadly attacks on UN peacekeepers, a critical phase of the peace process had now been reached.
This Wednesday’s top stories are: one-in-five conflict-affected people suffer from a mental illness; the Security Council holds a special session on conflict prevention; 5-year-old Congolese boy is first to die from Ebola in Uganda; Sudanese protestors' rights baffled; the decline of foreign investment; and tackling child labour.
Conflict prevention and mediation are two of “the most important tools at our disposal to reduce human suffering” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday.
More than one-in-five people living in conflict-affected areas suffers from a mental illness, according to a new UN-backed report, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for increased, sustained investment in mental health services in those zones.
More than one-in-five people living in conflict-affected areas suffers from a mental illness, according to a new report based on UN figures, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for increased, sustained investment in mental health services in those zones.
At least 19 children have reportedly been killed in Sudan and another 49 injured since a military backlash against protesters began earlier this month, prompting the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to express her grave concern “at the impact of the continuing violence and unrest in the country on children and young people”.
The 15 members of the United Nations Security Council adopted on Tuesday the very first ever resolution focused on the issue of missing persons in armed conflict. The aim is to encourage countries to fulfil their obligations, take action to step up prevention, and tackle the issue earlier, so that ultimately families separated by conflict can be reunited, or at least given answers as to the fate of their loved ones.
Security Council members issued a statement on Monday offering “their full support” to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, after he had reportedly come in for criticism by the Government.
Nearly 100 people were reportedly killed during an attack on a traditional Dogon hunters’ village in Mali on Sunday, prompting a call from UN chief António Guterres for authorities to act fast and “bring the perpetrators to justice”.
The United Nations has urged all parties to the “ongoing intense conflict” across Afghanistan to meet their obligations to protect civilians from harm, denouncing a spate of attacks by militants which killed more than 100 civilians in Kabul alone during Ramadan.
“The villagers knew that the military kidnapped [indigenous] people and brought them here and tortured them. While alive, they were forced to dig their own graves. Some would be buried in the ground, here, still half alive.” The chilling words of Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez, a member of an indigenous group in Guatemala.
Organized by the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States, and hosted by the Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations, some 50 participants from national governments, the UN and academia took part on 6 May 2019 in a workshop on Climate Change, Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace: Perspectives from the Pacific. The aim of the workshop was to better understand the climate-security nexus in the Pacific, share country and regional experiences, review efforts to develop a toolkit for climate-security risk assessment frameworks, and explore how the United Nations system can respond to climate-security challenges threatening the Pacific. This document contains a summary of and the recommendations from the workshop.
Wrapping up this week, our top stories are: how new technologies are a "vector for hope" and "source of fear", according to UN chief Guterres; new members at the Security Council; the plight of migrants in Libya; war rules violations in Syria; human rights in Australia and the Philippines.
This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".
New YorkRegional security and integration in Central Africa under threat, Security Council warned Five new members elected to the UN Security Council Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Viet Nam were elected by the General Assembly as new non-permanent members of the Security Council on 7 June. The countries will take up their seats in the Council on 1 January 2020. Read more about the newly elected council members and their priorities in Politically Speaking.
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African UnionDPPA partners convene in Addis Ababa
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Now in its fifth day, a crackdown by the military authorities in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, with dozens reported killed, has prompted a “gravely concerned” UN human rights office (OHCHR) to propose the “rapid deployment” of a monitoring team to look into allegations of serious rights violations.
Under the auspices of His Excellency, Mr. Felix Antoine TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Head of State, the National Oversight Mechanism (NOM) of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region (“PSC Framework”) convened on 5-6 June 2019 a meeting of the Chiefs of the Intelligence and Security Services of Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, supported by the...
New firsthand reporting by UN staff in Syria reveals “increasingly horrific brutality” by all parties in the de-escalation area of the country’s northwest, causing “significant civilian causalities” and hundreds of thousands displaced, a senior humanitarian official said on Thursday.
In a world where international relations have become "more chaotic," world leaders must avoid a new Cold War, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told delegates attending the International Economic Forum, in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg on Thursday.
Recurrent and often deadly clashes between pastoralists and farmers in several countries in Central Africa continue to cause “serious concern”, threatening “regional security and integration”, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Tuesday.
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief you on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).
Since my last briefing, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has made noticeable progress with regard to its reform process. Following the finalization of the reform documents in January, the ECCAS Council of Ministers is expected to convene on 21 June to validate these documents. It is our hope that the Assembly of ECCAS Heads of State and Government would endorse the documents before 2020. This reform process should contribute to the transformation of ECCAS into a more effective organization for regional integration, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as peacebuilding. UNOCA remains committed to help enhance these capacities, building on the valuable expertise already available. The reform should also provide the organization with a more adequate mandate and tools, as well as means to carry out such mandate. I appeal to ECCAS member States to enhance their support to this process, so as to ensure its timely completion and the launch of a reformed ECCAS for the benefit of regional peace, stability and integration.
To date, the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC) remains the primary platform where ECCAS member States meet regularly to discuss peace and security issues in Central Africa and recommend actions to address threats to regional stability. I have just arrived from Kinshasa, where the Committee held its 48th ministerial meeting on 31 May, which focused on the political and security situation in Central Africa. Members of UNSAC took note of the holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 30 December 2018, which enabled the country to experience a peaceful alternation of power. They also welcomed the signing of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and expressed their support for efforts to advocate for the complete lifting of the arms embargo. They took note of efforts by the Government of Cameroon to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, and encouraged the Government to pursue dialogue to that end. Following a closed session on the financing of regional institutions and crossborder transhumance, the members of UNSAC, inter alia, (i) invited the ECCAS General Secretariat to conclude the process of drafting a community regulation on pastoralism and transhumance; (ii) called for the holding of a high-level conference on this issue; (iii) encouraged ECCAS member States to participate in meetings dedicated to the reform of the organization; and (iv) emphasized the importance of setting up mechanisms to ensure the regular payment of financial contributions.
Recurrent and often deadly clashes between pastoralists and farmers in several countries continue to be a source of serious concern and a threat to regional security and integration. Recent inter-communal tensions in eastern Chad opposing nomadic herders and sedentary farmers, as well as the attacks against villages in the Central African Republic on 21 May, remind us of the urgency of addressing the issue of pastoralism and transhumance. I am pleased that this is receiving increasing attention in Central Africa, and I welcome the conclusions of the workshop organized on 27 and 28 May in Kinshasa, which finalized a draft regulation instrument on pastoralism and transhumance. UNOCA will continue to support ECCAS efforts in this area and, working with UNOWAS, to promote cooperation and exchange of good practices between Central, East and West Africa on the issue, given the inter-regional dimension of the phenomenon.
Monsieur le Président,
Boko Haram a intensifié ses attaques sur le Cameroun et le Tchad depuis fin 2018, tuant près d’une centaine de civiles et membres des forces de défense et de sécurité. Malgré les efforts louables des pays affectés et la Commission du bassin du lac Tchad, le groupe terroriste représente toujours une menace sécuritaire pour l’Afrique centrale et au-delà. Cette situation impose le renforcement de la coopération et un meilleur partage d’expériences et des leçons apprises entre les pays affectés et la Force multinationale mixte, ainsi qu’une assistance internationale plus soutenue et plus importante pour vaincre Boko Haram, répondre aux besoins humanitaires des populations affectées, et s’attaquer aux causes profondes du conflit. La Stratégie régionale en faveur de la stabilisation, du redressement et de la résilience des zones du bassin du lac Tchad touchées par Boko Haram, adoptée en août 2018, est donc source d’espoir pour les populations de ces zones. Je continue de travailler main dans la main avec le Représentant spécial Chambas de l’UNOWAS, pour sensibiliser les partenaires au besoin de rester engagé dans la lutte contre Boko Haram. Je saisis cette opportunité pour appeler, une fois de plus, les Etats concernés à intensifier leurs efforts pour la mise en oeuvre de la Stratégie régionale au niveau national, et j’appelle les partenaires internationaux à soutenir ces efforts.
Je note que l’Armée de résistance du seigneur (LRA) constitue toujours une menace à la paix et la sécurité en Afrique centrale, en particulier en RCA et en RDC. J’encourage les gouvernements de la sous-région, ainsi que les membres du Conseil de sécurité, à appuyer les efforts de la Commission de l’Union africaine dans la mise en place de mécanismes de sécurité alternatifs pour l’élimination de la LRA, dans le cadre de la coopération régionale et la Force africaine en attente.
Monsieur le Président,
Concernant la situation dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest du Cameroun, nous avons noté plusieurs visites de haut niveau dans le pays et une série de déclarations publiques de la part de partenaires clés qui ont tous exprimé leurs préoccupations sur les questions de protection des populations et appelé à un dialogue inclusif et sincère. Le 9 mai, le Premier Ministre Joseph Dion Ngute a annoncé que le Président Paul Biya était prêt à s’engager dans le dialogue sur toutes questions, sauf celles touchant à la "séparation" et la "sécession", afin de trouver une solution durable à la crise. Ceci est un pas encourageant dans la bonne direction. Dans une déclaration sur la situation sociopolitique au Cameroun publiée le 28 mai, le Gouvernement a rappelé les efforts consentis jusqu’ici pour gérer la situation humanitaire et engager le dialogue avec toutes les parties prenantes. Il a aussi souligné son engagement à coopérer avec les membres du Conseil des droits de l’homme, les autres Etats membres, les organismes du système des Nations Unies et autres acteurs bilatéraux. Je voudrais rappeler la déclaration du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies sur l’importance de faire prévaloir l’unité et l’intégrité territoriale du Cameroun. Il est également important de souligner que la recherche de solutions à la crise doit être guidée par le Gouvernement. Conduire un dialogue inclusif est le meilleur moyen de préserver la stabilité du pays, stabilité qui est vitale pour toute la sous-région. J’encourage les autorités camerounaises à poursuivre leurs efforts de dialogue et à faire avancer le processus de décentralisation. Je réitère la disponibilité des Nations Unies à travailler avec le Cameroun dans cette tâche essentielle ainsi que d’autres, comme le désarmement, la démobilisation et la réintégration et la consolidation de la paix, à travers le Fonds des Nations Unies pour la consolidation de la paix, entre autres sources de financement.
Malgré ces avancées positives, la situation sur le terrain continue de se détériorer avec des affrontements fréquents entre les groupes armés secessionistes et les forces de défense et de sécurité nationales. Les civiles demeurent les principales victimes du conflit. Plusieurs ont perdu leurs vies tandis qu’environ 530.000 sont des déplacés internes dans les régions du Nord-Ouest, du Sud-Ouest et du Littoral, et plus de 30.000 ont trouvé refuge au Nigéria. Les populations affectées ont un besoin urgent d’assistance, alors que l’accès humanitaire dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest reste un défi à cause des problèmes de sécurité. En outre, le Cameroun a accueilli 278.000 réfugiés de la République centrafricaine et 104.000 réfugiés nigérians dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord. Je salue la fourniture d’aide humanitaire par le Gouvernement et relève que seulement 13 pour cent du Plan de réponse humanitaire des Nations Unies a été financé à ce jour. J’appelle les partenaires internationaux à envisager une aide financière afin de permettre la fourniture de toute l’assistance humanitaire dont les populations vulnérables ont tant besoin.
Même si la mise en oeuvre de l’Accord politique pour la paix et la réconciliation en République centrafricaine soulève plusieurs défis, cet Accord reste un instrument efficace pour contribuer à l’instauration d’une paix durable dans le pays. Il est crucial que la sous-région et les Etats membres de la CEEAC jouent leur rôle en vue de la réussite de cet Accord. A cet effet, je me réjouis de la réactivation de la commission mixte entre le Cameroun et la République centrafricaine à Bangui, le mois dernier. J’encourage la République centrafricaine et les autres Etats voisins à réactiver leurs commissions mixtes bilatérales, ce qui devrait faciliter les discussions sur la gestion des frontières et les défis sécuritaires communs.
Je salue l’annonce du Fonds montéraire international (FMI), le 9 mai, indiquant qu’une mission du FMI a achevé les discussions avec la République du Congo et "est parvenue à un accord, ad référendum, qui pourrait être soutenu par un programme au titre de la Facilité Elargie de Crédit." Cette évolution favorable intervient après deux années de négociations.
Au Gabon, le FMI a récemment noté une stabilisation de la situation macro-économique. Entre-temps, le Président Ali Bongo Ondimba récupère à Libreville de ses problèmes de santé. Depuis mai, il a reçu les visites des Présidents Faure Gnassingbé du Togo, Alassane Dramane Ouattara de Côte d’Ivoire, et Macky Sall du Sénégal, ainsi que la Secrétaire générale de l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Madame Louise Mushikiwabo. D’autres chefs d’Etat sont attendus dans les prochains jours.
Je note les efforts des autorités tchadiennes pour la tenue d’élections législatives avant la fin de l’année, et j’appelle tous les acteurs nationaux et internationaux à contribuer à l’organisation d’élections crédibles, inclusives et pacifiques dans les délais envisagés.
Monsieur le Président,
Distingués membres du Conseil,
Face aux défis précités, l’UNOCA reste fermement attaché au renforcement des capacités régionales de prévention et gestion des crises et conflits, y compris en appuyant la CEEAC et ses Etats membres. Nous sommes confiants que les conclusions de la revue stratégique de l’UNOCA en cours contribueront à renforcer l’efficacité du Bureau et son rôle en tant qu’outil essentiel des Nations Unies pour la diplomatie préventive et la consolidation de la paix, en coopération étroite avec les entités des Nations Unies concernées. Nous continuerons à ne ménager aucun effort pour améliorer la cohérence et la coordination entre ces entités, notamment en matière de paix et sécurité.
Je vous remercie de votre attention et de votre appui constant.
Against a backdrop of challenges in implementing the peace process in Colombia, six independent UN human rights experts condemned on Tuesday the killing of a former member of the FARC-EP guerilla movement, which they said constitutes a “violation” of the guarantees made by the Government in the 2016 peace agreement.
Examples of the UN's conflict prevention and mediation work in Africa.
Security forces in Sudan fired on pro-democracy protesters in the capital Khartoum on Monday, leaving a number of dead and many more injured, prompting the United Nations chief’s condemnation and an appeal for “peaceful dialogue” to resume.
