New York, 10 December 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced two fundamental truths about human rights.
First, human rights violations harm us all.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups including frontline workers, people with disabilities, older people, women and girls, and minorities.
It...
A UN International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East concluded on Wednesday, with a vibrant online panel discussion exploring how the systematic spread of untruths has changed the way traditional news outlets cover the Israel-Palestine conflict, and created avenues for citizen journalists to quickly push out stories to express their lived realities.
With so-called vaccine nationalism spreading “with full speed”, the Secretary-General told a journalists, following the fourth annual African Union-UN conference, that the continent must be “effectively supported” to fight the pandemic everywhere.
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Security Council,
It is a pleasure to brief the Security Council today on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) remotely for the second time this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic seems generally under control in the subregion, with only 13,470 active cases as of 7 December, for a total of 88,422 cases and 1,614 deaths officially reported since the beginning of the pandemic, although in recent days the number of infections in some countries have been on the rise again, thus delaying the lifting of some of the restrictions imposed to counter the evolution of the pandemic.
The trends across Central Africa clearly indicate that the early measures enforced by the governments of the subregion to contain and reduce the propagation of the pandemic have proven effective. However, this effectiveness comes at a high socioeconomic cost as the economic slowdown triggered by the pandemic and the different restrictive measures further depleted the already limited capacity of the States to provide basic social services to their populations. I would like to encourage bilateral and multilateral partners to avail their support to all countries in the subregion to help them continue to fight the pandemic and address its economic, socio-political and security impact. I also appeal to international financial institutions to continue to facilitate the release of emergency assistance for all COVID-19 affected countries in Central Africa.
Notwithstanding this peculiar context that impacted the smooth implementation of UNOCA’s mandate, I was able to engage with key UN, national and international partners in the subregion on various issues, including during my recent visits to Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. On 1 December, I convened a meeting of heads of UN presences in Central Africa, during which we agreed, among others, to reinforce coordination in supporting regional efforts to address the impact of climate change, prevent election-related violence and fight against hate speech.
Mr. President,
I am pleased to report that ECCAS has reached a key milestone in its institutional reform process, with the swearing in of its new Commission on 1 September, including its President, Ambassador Gilberto da Piedade Veríssimo, its Vice-President and five Commissioners. The convening of two ordinary summits of Heads of State and Government is further evidence that regional leaders are determined to enhance regional integration and address peace and security issues in Central Africa. I therefore was pleased to witness such commitment at the 18th ordinary summit of ECCAS held in Libreville, on 27 November, which adopted the ECCAS Indicative Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 and Priority Action Plan for 2021, and decided to appoint a Mediator and deploy an election observation mission for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic. Ahead of the Summit, UNOCA has been engaging with the new Commission to identify joint priorities for the years ahead, notably on conflict prevention and regional integration, and enhance coordination of international partners for the implementation of the 2021-2025 Indicative Strategic Plan.
While the reformed ECCAS institutions are gradually becoming operational, the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC) remains a relevant forum where the countries of Central Africa discuss and make recommendations aimed at addressing regional peace and security challenges. The 50th ministerial session of UNSAC took place virtually on 4 December. The Committee reviewed the regional peace and security situation, discussed the situation in the Central African Republic, and held a debate on the impact of COVID-19 on peace and security and on peaceful electoral processes in Central Africa. The Committee adopted declarations on the two latter issues, stressing the need to reinforce regional cooperation in addressing them.
Mr. President,
Several countries of the subregion have been preparing for the holding of elections, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo and Sao Tome and Principe. On 6 December, Cameroon successfully held its first ever regional elections aimed at finalizing the decentralization process in the country, including the implementation of a special status for the North-West and South-West Regions. In the Republic of the Congo, political consultations to discuss preparations for the 2021 presidential election took place on 25 and 26 November, with the participation of opposition parties. In Chad, following the recommendations from the second National Inclusive Forum convened by the authorities from 29 October to 1 November, amendments were voted to the Constitution on 3 December. The amendments included the creation of a position of vice-president, the re-establishment of a senate and a court of auditors as well as the reduction of the minimum age to stand as a candidate in a presidential election from 45 to 40 years.
As election preparations continue in the months ahead, I would like to encourage national authorities and all political stakeholders to promote continued dialogue and consensus on the conditions governing the elections, using political dialogue frameworks where they are in place, as is the case for instance in Chad and the Republic of the Congo, or through ad hoc arrangements. To be effective, such dialogue initiatives should be inclusive both in terms of participation and the issues discussed. I will continue to offer the good offices of the Secretary-General, wherever required, to encourage inclusive and meaningful political dialogue in the countries preparing for elections.
Monsieur le Président,
L'insécurité dans toute l'Afrique centrale a continué d'être une source de préoccupation, y compris lorsqu’elle a une dimension transfrontalière, notamment dans le bassin du lac Tchad et le golfe de Guinée.
Lors de ma dernière visite au Cameroun en novembre, j'ai constaté avec une grande inquiétude la poursuite de la violence dans les régions de l'Extrême-Nord, du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest. Je déplore le fait que la violence dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest vise maintenant les civils, y compris les élèves et les enseignants, ainsi que les religieux. Au cours de ma visite, j'ai réitéré l'appel lancé par le Secrétaire général à toutes les parties concernées pour qu'elles renoncent à la violence, fassent taire les armes et cessent les attaques contre les civils et les infrastructures civiles telles que les établissements scolaires. À cet égard, je voudrais appeler tous les acteurs à rester engagés en faveur d’un dialogue constructif pour mettre fin à la crise dans les deux régions et construire une paix et un développement durables. Je prends note de l'engagement des autorités nationales à faire avancer la mise en œuvre du programme présidentiel pour la reconstruction et le développement des deux régions, qui sera encore consolidé par un tel dialogue et la cessation des hostilités.
Je suis particulièrement préoccupé par le fait que Boko Haram continue d’être une menace sérieuse dans le bassin du lac Tchad avec la multiplication des attaques et des enlèvements, entre autres. Les groupes terroristes ont continué d'intensifier leurs attaques au Cameroun et au Tchad et de perfectionner leur modus operandi, comme l'a démontré une récente attaque, dans la nuit du 24 au 25 novembre, lors de laquelle quatre soldats tchadiens ont été tués et environ 16 autres ont été blessés après que leur bateau eut apparemment heurté un engin explosif improvisé dans la région de Ngouboua sur le lac Tchad.
On ne saurait trop insister sur la nécessité de traiter la crise dans le bassin du lac Tchad de manière globale, notamment dans le cadre de la Stratégie régionale de stabilisation, de redressement et de résilience des zones du bassin du lac Tchad affectées par Boko Haram. Malgré les difficultés dues à la COVID-19, le Plan d'action régional de la stratégie a été finalisé et les huit territoires les plus touchés sont maintenant en train d'élaborer leurs Plans d'action territoriaux. Je voudrais une fois de plus en appeler à la générosité des membres du Conseil de sécurité et des autres partenaires pour fournir les ressources nécessaires à la mise en œuvre rapide de la Stratégie régionale, afin de permettre aux populations du bassin du lac Tchad de bénéficier du dividende de la paix qui, en retour, renforcera leur résilience à la radicalisation et à l'extrémisme violent.
La proximité et les similitudes entre les situations dans le bassin du lac Tchad et au Sahel justifient que nous les suivions et les analysions conjointement et que nous coordonnions nos réponses aux défis qui s’y posent. Plus concrètement, nous devons établir des liens entre la Stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel et la Stratégie régionale pour le bassin du lac Tchad afin d'éviter les doubles emplois, rationaliser l'utilisation des ressources et faire en sorte que les deux stratégies se renforcent mutuellement.
Dans le Golfe de Guinée, la criminalité organisée maritime a continué à se développer, notamment le trafic de drogue, la traite des personnes et le trafic illicite de migrants. Tout en saluant les mesures individuelles et les initiatives de coopération bilatérale prises par plusieurs Etats de la région pour faire face à l'insécurité maritime, je tiens à souligner que les réponses aux menaces à la sécurité tant des Etats que des personnes dans le Golfe de Guinée ne seront efficaces que si elles sont coordonnées entre l'Afrique centrale et l'Afrique de l'Ouest, par le biais des mécanismes existants tels que le Centre interrégional de coordination et les centres régionaux de sécurité maritime de l’Afrique centrale (CRESMAC) et de l’Afrique de l'Ouest (CRESMAO). Mon collègue le RSSG Mohamed Ibn Chambas de l'UNOWAS et moi-même avons convenu d'intensifier notre engagement en faveur de la coopération et de la coordination interrégionales en matière de sécurité maritime dans le Golfe de Guinée, ce qui constitue l'une des principales priorités communes de nos deux bureaux. Lors de sa 50ème session ministérielle, l'UNSAC a recommandé la tenue d'une conférence régionale sur la sécurité maritime en Afrique centrale.
La transhumance et les conflits entre agriculteurs et éleveurs se sont poursuivis en Afrique centrale, comme en témoignent les récents incidents sécuritaires dans la sous-région. Le 27 novembre, le gouvernement du Tchad a annoncé que 22 personnes ont été tuées et 34 autres ont été blessées lors d’affrontements entre agriculteurs et éleveurs dans la nuit du 23 au 24 novembre dans la province du Mayo Kebbi Est. Selon le gouvernement, 66 personnes ont été arrêtées à la suite de cet incident, tandis que les autorités ont également imposé un couvre-feu dans la zone. Je réitère l'appel du Secrétaire général aux gouvernements et aux communautés locales d'Afrique centrale pour qu'ils continuent à travailler ensemble afin de relever les défis communs liés à la transhumance. Je réaffirme également l'engagement de l'UNOCA à continuer à soutenir la CEEAC et ses États membres en vue de l'adoption d'une cadre réglementaire sous-régional sur le pastoralisme et la transhumance.
Mr. President,
To conclude, I would like to emphasize that these threats to peace and security in Central Africa also affect other regions, especially West Africa and the Great Lakes. This is the case of the already mentioned instability in the Lake Chad basin. Similarly, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is currently present in both Central Africa and the Great Lakes, two regions to which several countries under UNOCA’s purview belong. Addressing these threats requires coordination between all affected regions and between the UN regional offices. On 23 November, SRSG Chambas and I agreed on a set of joint activities that our offices will undertake with regard to the situation in the Lake Chad and the Gulf of Guinea, and support to the implementation of the Lomé Declaration adopted at the 2018 ECCAS-ECOWAS Summit on peace, security, stability and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. I will also continue to hold regular consultations with my colleagues from the Office of the Special Envoy for Great Lakes Region, UNOAU, MINUSCA, and MONUSCO, as well as UN Resident Coordinators and regional offices to address interregional challenges. All these coordination efforts are intended to improve our understanding of challenges in our areas of responsibilities and to better support the affected countries to address them.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Insecurity continues to plague Central Africa, the UN envoy for the region told the Security Council on Wednesday, highlighting concern for cross-border violence.
During the crisis and violent incidents that followed the general elections of October 2019 in Bolivia, the Secretary-General sent a Personal Envoy to the country to engage with all national actors and offer UN support to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis, including through credible and inclusive elections. The Personal Envoy joined facilitation efforts by the Episcopal Conference of Bolivia, the European Union and Spain in a dialogue among the main political actors that resulted in the de-escalation of the crisis. Under the facilitators’ auspices, on 22 November 2019, the main parties reached an agreement in which they requested the UN system to undertake peace consolidation activities “to help protect life; contain and prevent violence; ensure respect for human rights; promote dialogue; and guarantee the holding as soon as possible of a transparent, credible and inclusive electoral process”.
The dire shortage of food, water, fuel and cash in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia is seriously affecting people there, including aid workers, the United Nations reported on Tuesday, citing its humanitarian affairs office, OCHA.
International support for Sudan is critical as the country continues on the path to democratic transition, amid challenges that include political disagreements, economic decline, and the COVID-19 pandemic, UN political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo told a virtual meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday.
Mr. President,
Thank you for this opportunity to brief the Security Council today on the situation in Sudan.
Since my last briefing in September, Sudan has made progress in its democratic transition. The Juba Peace Agreement between the Transitional Government, the Sudan Revolutionary Front and the Sudan Liberation Army – Minni Minawi faction was signed on 3 October and was enshrined in the Constitutional Document on 2 November.
The amended Constitutional Document extends the transitional period to 39 months from the date of signature of the Juba Peace Agreement. It expands the membership of the Sovereign Council from 11 to 14 members; provides for the signatories to select 25 per cent of ministerial portfolios and 75 seats out of 300 of the Transitional Legislative Council. It also provides for the establishment of the Council of Partners during this period and further exempts representatives of the signatories from the ban on running for office in elections that will follow the transitional period.
The formation of the Transitional Legislative Council has now been postponed until 31 December. All political stakeholders will need to engage in constructive consultations to ensure the creation of an inclusive and representative body that reflects the diversity of Sudan’s social and political landscape and includes significant representation of women.
Despite the progress observed, political forces are increasingly fragmented. Disagreements have surfaced particularly over the mandate and functions of the Council of Partners that was established on 1 December. Key political stakeholders expressed concern that the nominally advisory and coordination body may have been given additional powers that would undermine those of other transitional institutions.
While initially supportive, the Council of Ministers and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) subsequently rejected the suggested authority of the Council of Partners and its current composition and deplored the lack of women and youth representation.
The Council of Ministers also called for the swift formation of the Transitional Legislative Council, emphasizing its exclusive power of oversight and accountability, and its role in guiding the transitional period.
I hope that consensus can be found to ensure the functioning of clearly defined transitional institutions that are inclusive and effective. I also echo the Transitional Government’s call for the swift formation of the legislative body as per the Constitutional Document.
Let me note that while the transitional authorities have committed to the promotion of gender equality, women remain underrepresented in transitional structures. The Cabinet includes three women out of 18 ministers and the Council of Partners has only one female representative. I welcome efforts by women’s organizations to develop a common agenda in promoting the inclusion of women. The equal right to political participation and representation of women in decision-making at all levels of the transition is an integral part of democratization. I commend the Transitional Government’s efforts on legal reforms that promote gender equality.
Mr. President,
The dire economic situation continues to cast a dark and long shadow over all these efforts. COVID-19 restrictions, including the five-month shutdown to prevent its spread, resulted in a severe decline in economic activity, and a loss of approximately 42 per cent of State revenues.
Given Sudan’s arrears, the country has been unable to avail of debt relief. The increased spending on emergency health programmes, coupled with a decline in public revenues, has led to a budget deficit of approximately USD 250 million per month. Rampant inflation and exchange rate fluctuations are negatively impacting the amounts of funding for programme delivery. The inflation rate also increased to 229 per cent in October, negatively affecting UN agencies’ and partners’ operations.
Mr. President,
19 December will mark the second anniversary of the revolution in Sudan. Demonstrations continue to occur intermittently across the country because of the economic crisis, demands for government reform and rejection of the amendments to the Constitutional Document. Some have been accompanied by loss of life and injuries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the humanitarian needs, also driven by severe flooding, intercommunal violence and prolonged displacement. In recent weeks, over 48,000 people have fled the Ethiopian conflict in the Tigray region and have sought refuge in Sudan. This has put an additional strain on the Sudanese authorities.
In the IMF Staff-Monitored Program, signed in September, the Transitional Government agreed to implement the removal of subsidies and implement macro-economic reforms. This has caused serious hardships for the population in the short-term.
It is critical that the international community continue supporting Sudan’s economic recovery through funding of the basic income cash transfer programme known as the “Family Support Programme,” intended to mitigate the social impact of the transitional Government’s economic reform agenda.
I welcome once again the intention of the United States to rescind Sudan’s designation as a State sponsor of terrorism, a change that will facilitate the country’s access to critical international financial assistance. I also welcome the commitment of President Emmanuel Macron of France to hold an international economic conference in Paris next year in support of Sudan.
Mr. President,
After a thorough planning process involving the UN system, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, UNITAMS, began to deploy to Khartoum in October.
The team is now continuing its consultations with transitional authorities regarding priorities for this time-bound mission.
The Transitional Government has underscored the need for UNITAMS to have a light footprint, and this is how the mission has been configured. The mission will focus on the four objectives outlined in Resolution 2524: assist the political transition; support peace processes; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and the rule of law; and support the mobilization of economic, development and humanitarian assistance. It will provide good offices, technical support and capacity building, and will leverage the work of the United Nations country team.
UNITAMS is headquartered in Khartoum but will establish field offices in Darfur, the Two Areas and eastern Sudan. Let me stress that UNITAMS will be a fully integrated mission, and the mission staff and the UN Country Team are now developing an Integrated Strategic Framework and coordination structures to maximize UN support and effectiveness. Our goal is for UNITAMS, together with the Country Team, to begin delivering against all the mission’s strategic objectives by 1 January 2021.
As the Mission establishes itself, we count on the Transitional Government’s continued support.
Mr. President,
UNITAMS is also working closely with UNAMID, in anticipation of its drawdown. The protection of civilians remains a concern, especially for women and children who face a multitude of risks in areas still under the control of armed groups. Protection of civilians will be the responsibility of the Transitional Government, but UNITAMS will provide support and help to create a protective environment for vulnerable populations.
I welcome the steps the government has taken to address this issue, including through the formulation of a National Plan for Civilian Protection and the announcement that 12,000 members of a protection force will be deployed in Darfur. National and local authorities have made a strong commitment to ensure basic security and protection across Sudan. UNITAMS will support the Transitional Government by helping to create a protective environment.
UNAMID and UNITAMS joint teams are conducting assessment visits focused on the protection of civilians to ensure that lessons learned from UNAMID are sustained. UNITAMS will have child protection advisors, women’s protection advisers, human rights officers and police trainers to support the Transitional Governments’ efforts.
However, effective protection of civilians will only be achieved through Sudan’s own efforts.
Key to the efforts to protect civilians will be the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. The agreement is a major step towards ending years of conflict in the country, addressing the root causes, and building a sustainable peace.
Mr. President,
Sudan is at a critical juncture. It can move forward decisively in its transition, but that progress can still be derailed by the many challenges it faces. It is incumbent on all of us to support Sudan in its efforts to achieve democratic governance, economic prosperity and an inclusive society for all Sudanese.
Thank you.
The UN Secretary-General said on Monday it was “essential to quickly restore the rule of law” in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray, where Government forces and those loyal to the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have been engaged in fighting for more than a month.
There is a critical need for State institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to provide more stability and safety for citizens facing multiple threats, the head of the UN mission there told the Security Council on Monday.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan
On 4 December 2020, His Excellency President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov endorsed the National Action Plan for 2021-2024 on the implementation of the Strategy of Turkmenistan to Prevent Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism. The Plan was developed with the support of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the UN Counter-Terrorism Office - UN Counter-Terrorism Centre...
The Political Working Group (PWG) of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya (IFCL) held a meeting on 3 December 2020 to review the progress achieved thus far with regards the Libyan political track and consider how participants of the Berlin process can further support these efforts.
Following the discussion, the PWG Co-Chairs:
Welcomed the successful conclusion of...The United Nations-African Union (AU) partnership has yielded “significant results”, including at the country level, the UN chief told the Security Council on Friday.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the continuing ceasefire in and around Nagorno-Karabakh on Friday, underlining that the Organization stands ready to provide humanitarian support to meet the needs of all civilians impacted by conflict.
New York, 5 December 2020
Every year on 5 December, the world observes International Volunteer Day.
This year, we are highlighting the important contributions of volunteers to the response to COVID-19.
Around the world, volunteers have been assisting vulnerable groups, correcting misinformation, educating children, providing essential services to the elderly...
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security CouncilGuterres: “I count on the African Union to help lead the way”
EthiopiaUN Envoy discusses the situation in Tigray with Deputy Prime Minister
SomaliaSomali Government and international partners meet to improve security and rule of law
BoliviaAssistant Secretary-General visits Bolivia
ColombiaActions for the prevention of violence against women
IraqMeetings to discuss national development
Northeast AsiaLooking ahead – Women and youth at the forefront of peace and security efforts in Northeast Asia |
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SyriaMeeting with the Women’s Advisory Board
Meeting of the Constitutional Committee concludes in Geneva
YemenMeeting with civil society representatives from Taiz
PeacebuildingPeacebuilding Commission meeting on Somalia
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
UN experts called on the Security Council on Thursday, along with the international community at large, to put an end to the “surreal and absurd dimension” of human rights violations engulfing war-torn Yemen, where abuses continue unchecked.
The 20,000 foreign fighters now in Libya represent “a serious crisis” and “a shocking violation of Libyan sovereignty”, UN Acting Special Representative Stephanie Williams said on Wednesday, during the latest meeting under the country’s political dialogue forum.
There is “a deep sense of worry about the grim realities” of life faced by those living in occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN chief said on Tuesday, pointing to the “diminishing prospects of resolving the conflict” with Israel, that has been with the UN since its creation 75 years ago.
Although the United Nations turned 75 this year, the milestone would be incomplete without recognition of the huge losses endured during the Second World War: the event which led to the creation of the global Organization, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told ambassadors attending a commemorative ceremony in the General Assembly Hall on Tuesday.
Child trafficking is rising in Mali, along with forced labour and forced recruitment by armed groups, due to conflict, insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday.
Almost a quarter of a million people have died in Yemen’s war, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on its website on Tuesday, confirming the huge toll from a conflict that has ravaged Yemen’s economy and created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The report examines MYA projects at a whole-portfolio level, while identifying specific areas for in-depth evaluation. The assessment analyses the relevance of the MYA testing, the logical connection between MYA projects and DPPA’s high level objectives; examines the effectiveness of the MYA portfolio of projects in delivering valued results; and considers questions of cost-efficiency, asking whether the MYA portfolio is applying funds in an efficient way to minimize costs. The assessment articulates a clear ‘value claim’ of the MYA for the first time, which will be helpful in future discussions with our divisions.
Undertaken by an independent consultant, the assessment concludes that the MYA has been able to deliver value-for-money at multiple levels, ensuring good use of resources.
New York, 2 December 2020
President Bollinger,
Dear friends,
I thank Columbia University for hosting this gathering — and I welcome those joining online around the world.
We meet in this unusual way as we enter the last month of this most unusual year.
We are facing a devastating...
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, appealed to Ethiopia on Tuesday for urgent access to 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, saying the month-long conflict in Tigray had left them without vital supplies.
