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Secretary-General strongly condemns outbreak of fighting in Sudan
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On 20 April, the Secretary-General, speaking to reporters following a meeting convened by the African Union on Sudan, strongly condemned the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. He appealed for a ceasefire marking the Eid Al Fitr celebrations, to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and to seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies. “This must be the first step in providing respite from the fighting and paving the way for a permanent ceasefire,” he said.
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Earlier in the week on 15 April, the Secretary-General released a statement strongly condemning the outbreak of fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces in Sudan. He further noted that further escalation of the fighting would have a devastating impact on civilians and aggravate the already precarious humanitarian situation. On 16 April, he issued a statement strongly condemning the deaths and injuries of civilians, including the deaths of three staff members of the World Food Programme in North Darfur, with a further two seriously injured. On 17 April, Special Representative Volker Perthes briefed at a press conference in New York via VTC. He also issued a statement expressing his disappointment that the humanitarian cessation of hostilities agreed to was only partially honored. On 19 April, the Trilateral Mechanism issued a statement welcoming the announcement of a ceasefire between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces.
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Grundberg: “We need to see a Yemeni-owned ceasefire that durably stops the violence, ensures the safety and security of Yemenis, and builds trust for a political process”
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On 17 April, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Hans Grundberg briefed the Security Council on the situation in Yemen. In his remarks, he noted that the truce continued to deliver beyond its expiration six months ago and that there had not been “such a serious opportunity for making progress towards ending the conflict in eight years.” He went on to underscore that “We need to see a Yemeni-owned ceasefire that durably stops the violence, ensures the safety and security of Yemenis, and builds trust for a political process.” The same day, the Head of the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) and Co-chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee Major General (retired) Michael Beary briefed the Security Council in closed consultations on the situation in Hudaydah.
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Assistant Secretary-General Khiari urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with international obligations
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Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari briefed the Security Council on 17 April on non-proliferation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He said that the lack of unity and action in the Security Council had done little to impact the negative trajectory on the Korean Peninsula. ASG Khiari also reiterated calls made by the Secretary-General to Pyongyang to desist from taking any further destabilizing actions, to fully comply with its international obligations, and to resume dialogue that will lead to the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
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Special Representative Bathily meets with key political leaders on elections in Libya
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Briefing the Security Council on 18 April, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily said he has engaged key political leaders through shuttle diplomacy to seek common ground and encourage them to make compromises that will clear the path to elections. He also noted that his interlocutors all expressed their readiness to discuss the organization of elections. Additionally, the meetings between military units and security formations from the east, west and south represented a breakthrough, and were of great symbolic value on the path to reconciling and unifying the country, he said.
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UN Envoy for the Great Lakes region warns that armed groups continue to “sow terror”
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On 19 April, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia briefed the Security Council. He said the region was enjoying “a fragile lull” following months of fighting between the M23 rebel movement and the Democratic Republic of Congo armed forces, a deteriorating humanitarian situation, and rising diplomatic tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. Special Envoy Xia underscored that the presence of armed groups that continue to “sow terror” remains one of the greatest challenges to peace in the region. He also pointed out that escalation of diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and DRC earlier in the year, following border incidents and charges of Rwanda’s backing of M23, had threatened the fragile peace in the region.
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Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo meets with senior Korean officials in Seoul
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The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, concluded her visit to northeast Asia on 18 April with a stop in Seoul, Republic of Korea. She met with senior Korean officials to discuss the role of multilateral diplomacy in fostering regional stability, as well as the latest developments on the Peninsula. She met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se, and Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yong-min, among other officials.
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Assistant Secretary-General Jenča visits Kazakhstan, discusses cooperation and regional challenges
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On 17 April, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča visited Kazakhstan. During his trip, he met separately with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairperson of Majilis Yerlan Koshanov, Deputy Chairperson of Majilis Dania Espaeva, and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Umarov. Discussions focused on cooperation between the United Nations and Kazakhstan, global and regional challenges, and the country's reform process.
Read more here
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New “Peace Clubs” established in Mozambique to promote non-violence and reconciliation
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This week, three new Peace Clubs were established in Nampula Province in northern Mozambique. Peace Clubs play an important role in the peace process and help to build sustainable ties between disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) beneficiaries and receiving communities. Through a network of interfaith religious and social leaders, the Clubs promote non-violence, peace and reconciliation using existing community structures in seven provinces. Supported by the Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Mozambique, Mirko Manzoni, Peace Clubs engagement with DDR beneficiaries, their family members and broader communities helps enhance reintegration and reconciliation across the country.
Watch a video on Peace Clubs in Mozambique here
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Special Representative Salvador meets with Haitian officials, discusses political situation
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On 17 April, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, met Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, where they discussed the situation in the country. On 18 April, she also met Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs Jean Victor Geneus to discuss the relationship between Haiti and the United Nations.
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Implementing restorative Initiatives to foster reconciliation in Fusagasugá
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To build trust and forge reconciliation, a group of former combatants, community leaders, and victims worked on a rural road improvement in the municipality of Fusagasugá, inaugurated on 15 April during an event accompanied by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. Regional authorities showcased this process as an example of a restorative initiative that can contribute to the transitional justice system. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has certified similar activities in Cundinamarca to be considered as part of the upcoming sentences.
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UNAMI releases For Iraq magazine reflecting on 2022
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This week, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) published For Iraq magazine that looks back 2022.
The magazine can be viewed here
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