Peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were conducting extensive patrols in the east of the country on Tuesday, one day after demonstrators set fire to buildings to protest lack of civilian protection in the face of attacks by armed groups.
The leader of the special UN Investigation Team probing crimes committed by ISIL terrorists in Iraq, said on Tuesday that the courage being demonstrated by survivors coming forward “serves to underline the urgency” they need to carry on with their work.
Unless countries work together to address gaps in digital access, as well as related social and political divisions, this generation will be remembered as the one that “ruined the early promise of the Internet”, the UN Secretary-General has warned.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed recent steps towards a peaceful resolution to the political turmoil in Bolivia.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOAU, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, delivered remarks at the inaugural Denmark-Africa dialogue that was held in Addis Ababa on 26 November 2019.
The dialogue convened under the theme, "Strengthening Conflict Resilience Through Prevention and Youth Engagement", and brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, practitioners, youth representatives, academia and many others. SRSG Tetteh delivered remarks alongside the...
The UN Secretary-General held “focused and frank” informal talks with the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on Monday in order to “take stock of efforts” to finally reach a settlement over the divided Mediterranean island.
A recap of Monday’s stories in brief: Guterres holds “focused and frank” informal talks over Cyprus, responds to Colombia protests; Violence targeting women impedes peace; UN Mission, community condemn South Sudan violence; UN weather watchdog sounds climate alarm; Norway hosts anti-landmine summit.
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has met with national authorities in the wake of an attack against its headquarters in Beni on Monday, which left the building badly damaged.
Today begins the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) (25 November-10 December). On this occasion, the United Nations System in Lebanon and the ...
Community leaders issued an apology on Monday after rioting on 21 November by “drunken youth” within a UN Protection of Civilians site run by UNMISS in South Sudan, left two dead and eight UN personnel injured, including five police officers.
A UN worker was killed and two people were injured when their vehicle was attacked in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Sunday.
A UN worker was killed and two people were injured when their vehicle was attacked in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Sunday.
Madam President,
On 30 October, 150 Syrian men and women gathered in Geneva to launch a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, credible, balanced and inclusive Constitutional Committee facilitated by the United Nations. There were 50 members nominated by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic; 50 members nominated by the opposition Syrian Negotiations Commission; and 50 civil society activists and experts and other independents, from inside and outside of Syria, in a so-called Middle Third.
This was a potentially historic moment. It brought Syrians together in one room within the formal political process mandated by this Council – for the first face-to-face talks in five years … for the first time ever following a political agreement between the government and opposition … and for the first time ever with civil society present.
This launch was a sign of hope for the Syrian people, and a chance for the Syrian parties to begin a direct dialogue that they lead and own on the future of a broken country. It opened a door to a political effort to overcome nearly nine years of conflict and chart a path to a new day for Syria in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254, which has all the elements required for a political settlement.
Madam President,
Over the next two days, Members of the Large Body offered visions for Syria’s future constitutional arrangements. They adopted by consensus a Code of Conduct and a set of Initial Procedural Practices. And agreement was reached on the 45 Members to work in the Small drafting Body.
Thereafter, the Small Body– 15 from each 50 – convened and reviewed ideas and proposals in the speeches delivered by members in the Large Body -- and offered other ideas too -- to identify potential constitutional principles. There were extensive exchanges and ideas put forward. And they agreed to return to Geneva this coming Monday 25 November.
Madam President,
I commend committee members for their courage and patriotism in participating in these initial proceedings, and for the way that they did so. It was not easy. There was mistrust and suspicion, and strong feelings, among the members. There were deep feelings of anger and of loss, personal and national. Narratives, positions and proposals diverged sharply. At times, proceedings were painful, and emotions ran high.
And yet everyone stayed engaged. The members of the Committee agreed an initial agenda and listened to each other’s discourse. And there were efforts in language, tone, gesture and positioning to signal an openness to dialogue. With each passing day there was a little more of this.
I appreciated the business-like approach of the two equal Co-Chairs -- Dr. Ahmed Kuzbari nominated by the Government and Mr. Hadi al-Bahra nominated by the Opposition. They respected their responsibilities and alternated the chairmanship of meetings. They enabled Committee members to speak openly and frankly. They dealt in good faith with me and my team.
Let me also observe that, while we will focus on what the parties say in the room, it is important that public statements show commitment to the Committee’s work based on the political agreement that both parties made to launch it. There is work to be done in this regard.
It would be too early to say there is agreement on constitutional principles. Nor is there yet agreement on which issues should be addressed in a future constitutional text and which should be addressed in other ways. But there was a solid initial discussion and there are commonalities on which to build. I have urged the Members during the recess to reflect on what was discussed and return ready to build on it. The Government and the Opposition 15 have been meeting with the remaining 35 of their respective groups to this end.
I have discussed with the Co-Chairs that we need them to propose a forward-looking agenda for the coming work, and they have agreed with me that this is important. My good offices are at their disposal.
Let me say a few words on the “Middle Third”, whose members include civil society, independents, experts and other Syrians of standing. They have no formal political affiliations, and none of them speaks for any other of them. Like Syrian society in general, there are differences in their opinions, experiences, fears, objectives and connections.
Despite this, they sat together, worked together, and began their own long task of building trust and confidence with one another. As this effort proceeds, it will be important to enable the 15 in the Small Body to consult the remaining 35 in their group. I look forward to furthering initial discussions with them – and the Co-Chairs – in this regard.
Let me also recall that around 30% of members are women. They made their voices heard on all issues. Gender equality and women’s rights issues were prominent in discussions - raised by both men and women – and are areas where I sensed some potential for initial common ground.
Madam President,
I should add that the Women’s Advisory Board was convened in Geneva as the Constitutional Committee proceedings began, and its members showed an example of how a cross-section of Syrians can build trust and work together. I look forward to them convening again in Geneva in the not-too-distant future.
I also look forward to continuing the process of consultations by the United Nations with a wide cross-section of Syrian civil society from both inside and outside Syria through the work of our Civil Society Support Room, and we expect further engagement in that framework fairly soon as well.
Let me thank you, the Security Council, for uniting to support the Constitutional Committee. I was glad to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, and earlier with representatives of the Small Group, in Geneva before the launch.
Madam President,
This brings me to the bigger picture. Undoubtedly, the work of the committee can build trust and confidence. But if confidence is to develop among the Syrian people in the political process, the dynamics on the ground need to begin to change – and that must start with fully respecting international humanitarian and human rights law and the protection of civilians.
I am extremely concerned about renewed violence in Idlib. There are 3 million civilians in Idlib, many of whom have fled from fighting elsewhere in Syria and who have suffered and continue to suffer. There has been escalation these past weeks in aerial bombardment, as well as ground-based attacks from both sides. Just two days ago, at least a dozen civilians were killed and 50 injured, including children, when a missile reportedly launched from Syrian-government territory struck an IDP camp and near a maternity hospital.
Meanwhile, there have been significant developments in the north-east: a Turkish military intervention into Syria together with Syrian armed opposition forces; the Syrian Government deploying troops in the north-east following an understanding with the Syrian Democratic Forces; a US-Turkish ceasefire understanding; a Turkish-Russian understanding, leading to joint patrols along the Turkish border; and the redeployment of US forces from large parts of the north-east to Deir-ez-Zor and Hasakeh, including close to oil fields. While these understandings have reduced violence in the area, reports of clashes and shellings continue. More than 90 civilians have been killed -- and, while many have returned home, more than 75,000 remain displaced.
Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes near Damascus, which Israel said was in response to rockets launched towards Israel, reportedly killed two civilians.
All these dynamics are extremely worrying. We must step away from any trend that could lead towards a deeper international conflagration over Syria, and the continued infringement of Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.
Resolution 2254 also calls for nationwide ceasefire and a common approach to combatting terrorism. The unsolved challenge of HTS, the danger of ISIL resurgence, and the continuing threat of foreign terrorist fighters only underlines the need for a cooperative approach – one that ensures stability, protects civilians, fully upholds international humanitarian law, promotes real calm, and prioritizes a political solution.
Madam President,
As violence and suffering continues, Syrians, on all sides, demand concrete actions from this process to improve their lives. I continue to consider unilateral releases of detainees/abductees, and steps for clarifying the fate of the missing persons by all parties and at a meaningful scale, as crucial entry points in that regard.
But I also remain convinced that a broader set of concrete actions would likely have to follow a “steps for steps” model, with some element of reciprocity, building trust and confidence between Syrians and with the international community.
I continue to pursue a discussion with the Syrian parties on the wider dimensions of the process and to offer my good offices to the key regional and international players on these issues. Russian and American officials continue to meet to discuss steps that could be taken. I had a valuable discussion on this with German Chancellor Merkel and senior officials in Berlin last week. Within the Astana group, the dialogue among countries supporting different players in Syria continues. And I continue to support the convening of an international format that could bring the key players together in a common effort.
Ultimately, I believe that all of these efforts should lead towards the establishment of a safe, calm and neutral environment. This would allow any constitutional reform to be matched by emerging positive conditions on the ground – as well as an environment which would allow for inclusive free and fair elections administered under the supervision of the United Nations in line with resolution 2254. And clearly, the steps to create such an environment would also contribute to refugees having the confidence to return in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner.
Madam President,
It is my firm hope that, with the Constitutional Committee as a door opener, the government and the opposition will be able in time to establish a relationship; violence will abate and conditions on the ground will change; and a comprehensive and decisive solution will finally emerge for the benefit of all Syrians. The Syrian parties, who are leading and owning this process, must seize the opportunity that the launch of the committee offers. And they, and all of us, must build around it a mutually reinforcing dynamic for the sake of the Syrian people. I appreciate the support of all of you as I continue to work in this direction, in implementation of my mandate in resolution 2254.
The launch of the Syrian Constitutional Committee could be a “door-opener” to finally providing a solution to the country’s brutal conflict, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said on Friday in a briefing to the Security Council.
A recap of Friday’s stories in brief: WHO raises fresh Ebola concerns, UN envoy raises hopes of Yemen political settlement, WFP makes urgent Venezuela appeal, hundreds of migrants discovered in boats off Libya coast.
In the present report, the Secretary-General discusses developments in the field of United Nations electoral assistance since the issuance of his previous report (A/72/260). During the reporting period, from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2019, the United Nations assisted, at their request or on the basis of a Security Council mandate, more than 50 Member States.
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The momentum to reach a political settlement in Yemen “has been building”, the United Nations Special Envoy to the country told the Security Council on Friday, attributing the positive development to compromises on “a range of issues”.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
New YorkPeacebuilding Commission discusses Youth, Peace and Security
Security CouncilSalamé: “I am determined to see the end of this debilitating conflict"
Open debate on the role of reconciliation
Situation in the Sahel “of serious concern”
Mladenov: “Israeli settlement activities are a flagrant violation under international law”
Political consensus needed in Somalia to achieve ambitious agenda for 2020
Momentum to reach a political settlement in Yemen |
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Syrian Constitutional Committee a “sign of hope”
Central AsiaHigh-level forum on sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan
YemenMeeting with President Hadi
BurundiOSESG Burundi bids Special Envoy Michel Kafando farewell
SomaliaUN supported Tech Summit attracts thousands
ColombiaBread and chili for peace
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
Amid multiple deadly attacks on civilians by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), an Ebola death “unlinked to any chain of transmission” risks reversing major gains against the epidemic, which is now down to just a handful of cases, a top UN medic said on Friday.
A recap of Thursday’s stories in brief: Syria’s violence continues to strike children; governments must do more for human rights in business; poor health in Europe’s prisons; rights experts’ concern over Irish ISIL bride and her child in Turkey; Fishing workers face huge risks at sea.
With Somalia scheduled to hold “one-person, one-vote” elections next year, leaders must act now to break the “stalemate” between the central government and federal member states, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.
Turkey must ensure that an Irish woman and her infant daughter who are being held in custody there are repatriated, independent UN experts said in a statement released on Thursday. The woman, Lisa Smith, has been described in press reports as a supporter of the ISIL terror group, and former member of the Irish military.
Violence in Syria continues to kill and maim civilians with reports that missiles fired into settlements for people fleeing conflict in the country’s northwest on Wednesday night, killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens more, including children, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.
Madame la Présidente,
Merci de me donner l’opportunité de vous entretenir des activités de la Force conjointe du G5 Sahel, du soutien international dont elle bénéficie, notamment de la part de la MINUSMA, des défis auxquels cette Force fait face, ainsi que et des mesures pouvant être envisagées à cet égard. Je rentre à l’instant du Forum de Dakar où la question de la montée en puissance de la force conjointe et de sa relation à la MINUSMA a été largement évoquée. J’y reviendrai dans le courant de ma présentation.
Au cours des six derniers mois, la situation sécuritaire au Sahel a continué de se détériorer. Les attaques attribuées ou revendiquées par les groupes terroristes contre les forces de sécurité et les populations civiles se sont multipliées. De même que les incidents violents opposants les membres de diverses communautés.
Le 6 novembre dernier, à Boungou, dans le nord-est du Burkina Faso, une quarantaine de civils et de soldats ont ainsi été tué lors d’une attaque attribuée à des groupes terroristes. Au cours des dix derniers jours, ce sont près d’une centaine d’éléments des forces de sécurité du Burkina Faso, du Mali et du Niger qui ont perdu la vie dans une série d’attaques visant principalement le triangle du Liptako-Gourma. Ce 18 novembre, 24 soldats des Forces armées maliennes ont péri lors d’une opération anti-terroriste, près de Tabankort, au Nord du Mali, à proximité de la frontière nigérienne. Au total, depuis le début de cette année, les incidents sécuritaires ont triplé dans la région en comparaison de l’année précédente, en particulier au Burkina Faso et au Niger. Au Burkina Faso, 489 incidents ont été enregistrés cette année contre 151 l’année dernière. Au Niger, 218 incidents ont eu lieu, contre 69 à la même période il y a un an. De plus, la violence causée par les groupes terroristes au Sahel s’étend désormais aux pays de la côte ouest-africaine, et le long d’une bande sahélo-sahélienne qui relie pratiquement à présent les zones d’opérations de la force conjointe du G5 Sahel et celles de la Force multinationale dans le Bassin du Lac Tchad. Ce fait a été constaté par de nombreux représentants des pays de la sous-région ces derniers jours à Dakar qui ont mis en garde contre le risque d’effondrement de la digue sécuritaire dans la région. À ce titre, les chefs d’Etat de la Mauritanie et du Sénégal ont renouvelé les appels à un mandat robuste en faveur de la force conjointe du G5 Sahel.
Madam President,
The situation in the Sahel is of serious concern and urgent action is needed. It is therefore encouraging that the G-5 Sahel Joint Force has increased its operational tempo. I welcome the commitments and determination of the G-5 Sahel countries to overcome the many challenges they face in operationalizing the Joint Force.
Since the issuance of the report of the Secretary-General before you, the Joint Force has conducted one more operation in collaboration with the French Forces. This operation took place in the border area between Mali and Burkina Faso from 1 to 17 November. It involved 1,400 troops from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, alongside the French forces and resulted in the neutralisation of 24 suspected terrorists, the seizure of arms, ammunitions, 100 telephones, and 64 vehicles.
The terrorist attacks against the base of the G5-Sahel Joint Force in Boulekessi, Mopti region, central Mali and on the Malian armed forces post in Mondoro on 30 September, which resulted in the killing of dozens of soldiers, was a painful reminder of the dangerous environment the Joint Force and other security forces are operating in the Sahel. I would like to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of the personnel operating under the Joint Force in the fight against terrorism and to remember those who have paid the ultimate price for their countries.
The Joint Force remains a critical part of a series of regional and international security responses to address extremist armed groups in the Sahel, along with other cross-border challenges, including trafficking in persons, illicit goods, weapons and drugs; migration; and displacement. However, the Joint Force alone cannot secure the Sahel. More needs to be done to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
To this end, I would like to welcome recent international and regional initiatives to respond to the expanding threat posed by terrorist armed groups in the Sahel are encouraging. One such initiative is the new partnership for security and stability in the Sahel announced in August by the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, on the margins of the summit of the Group of Seven in Biarritz, France. The initiative is aimed at reinforcing troops and police forces from the G5 Sahel countries at the national level, which will play an instrumental role in combating terrorism. Another important initiative was announced by the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on 14 September in Ouagadougou to combat growing insecurity and terrorism. Their pledge of $1 billion dollars to fight terrorism and extremism over the next five years is a sign of a renewed commitment to take ownership and find solutions to the challenges facing their countries. In parallel, it will remain critical to continue supporting the efforts by the Joint Force of the G5 Sahel, as well as top mobilize external partners to that end.
Madam President,
Resolution 2480 (2019) of 28 June 2019 lifted geographical restrictions on the provision of water, rations and fuel to all battalions of the Joint Force. MINUSMA has taken swift action to provide the required support. On 3 October, the Joint Force requested for the provision of four hundred and twenty-nine thousand litres of fuel and oil as well as thirty-five thousand rations for all its battalions in all five countries. In response, after completing a risk assessment under the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, MINUSMA has begun delivery of the requested items. So far, the Mission has delivered 60,000 litres fuel and 4,500 rations to designated collection points in Mali. MINUSMA stands ready to deliver the rest of the support as soon as the contingents confirm their readiness to receive these items up.
The delivery of life consumable support to all contingents operating under the Joint Force has the potential to help the Joint Force to enhance performance better and operate more effectively. However, more equipment, capabilities (such as air assets) and training will be needed for the Force to make a difference on the ground. I wish to recall, in that regard, that the provision of support by MINUSMA to the G5 joint force, as mandated by Security Council resolutions 2391(2017) and 2480(2019) was, and should remain, one of several mechanisms of assistance for enhancing the capacities of the G5 joint force.
I would also like to welcome the efforts by the Joint Force to implement the human rights and international humanitarian law compliance framework with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other partners. It is of critical importance that the Joint Force and the member states of the G5 Sahel continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that the protection and security of the civilian population remains at the centre of their security efforts, both within the Joint Force and at national level. We also call on the Joint Force and G5 Sahel countries to ensure the full investigation of allegations of human rights violations involving contingents of the Force, which not only harm populations’ trust, but also the image and the reputation of the Joint Force and that of national security forces, and ultimately the very purpose of these military operations. I am pleased to note the efforts undertaken in operationalizing the police component of the Joint Force in operations related to fighting terrorism and transnational organized crime. The police component has an integral role in the implementation of the Joint Force’s compliance framework and in investigating allegations of human rights violations by members of the Joint Force.
Madame la présidente,
Le terrorisme aujourd'hui est un problème partagé, un problème pour tous. Aucun pays ne peut y faire face seul. Je tiens à rappeler ici que la plupart des pays du G5 consacrent déjà près de 20% de leurs budgets nationaux à la défense et la sécurité, ce qui signifie un recul des investissements dans le domaine de la sécurité humaine pourtant indispensables au règlement des causes profondes de l’insécurité. La communauté internationale doit donc contribuer à l'effort de lutte contre l’extrémisme armé au Sahel. Elle doit soutenir la Force conjointe afin qu'elle puisse jouer pleinement son rôle et obtenir des résultats plus tangibles sur le terrain. Il est important que les promesses de financement soient tenues. Je tiens ici à saluer la contribution à cet égard de l’Union Européenne et des autres partenaires internationaux, dont le soutien à la Force conjointe est décisif et vital. Une fois encore, je réitère l'appel du Secrétaire général en faveur d'un financement prévisible et durable de la Force conjointe.
Les initiatives sur le plan sécuritaire ne porteront des fruits que si des réponses satisfaisantes sont apportées aux questions relatives au sous-développement, à la pauvreté, à la gouvernance, aux difficultés d’accès aux services de base, à l’exclusion systématique, ainsi qu’aux effets du changement climatique. Il faut offrir aux populations, aux plus jeunes en particulier, des perspectives d’avenir. Ces perspectives doivent aller au-delà des besoins quotidiens, pour assurer le développement, promouvoir l'égalité des sexes et faciliter l'accès aux opportunités économiques et aux services sociaux. Pour cette raison, j'appelle tous les partenaires à assurer un décaissement rapide des fonds promis et à soutenir la mise en œuvre de la stratégie intégrée des Nations Unies pour le Sahel. Investir dans des efforts de développement durables et inclusifs est le moyen le plus efficace de s'attaquer aux causes profondes des conflits, de l'extrémisme violent et du terrorisme.
Enfin, j’en appelle aux gouvernements de la région, au-delà de la réponse sécuritaire, à continuer à mettre en place des mécanismes et des reformes a même de renforcer l’unité et la cohésion nationales. Ce doit être tout le sens du partenariat à consolider pour la lutte contre le terrorisme, l’insécurité et les inégalités.
Ensemble, nous devons nous mobiliser davantage et de toute urgence, pour le Sahel.
Je vous remercie de votre attention.
Following some misleading media reports, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) would like to reconfirm its position concerning the government formation.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis has called upon the leadership of Lebanon to urgently nominate the Prime Minister-designate, start the mandatory process of parliamentary consultations and to maximally accelerate the process of the formation of the new government of personalities known...
The situation in Africa’s Sahel region continues to be “of serious concern and urgent action is needed”, a high-level United Nations official told the Security Council on Wednesday, attributing a rising number of attacks to terrorist armed groups.
Regardless of any national policy declarations, Israeli settlement activities are “a flagrant violation under international law”, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process spelled out to the Security Council on Wednesday.
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
We meet today in the aftermath of the most serious recent escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Although the immediate crisis was diffused, the situation remains highly volatile.
Following Israel’s targeted killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Commander Baha Abu al-Ata...
NICKOLAY MLADENOV
SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
BRIEFING TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
20 November 2019 [As Delivered].
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
We meet today in the...
Improving understanding of the nexus between terrorism, transnational organized crime and drug trafficking is essential, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday in his address to a high-level meeting involving the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a leading player in diplomacy in Eurasia.
A recap of Tuesday’s stories in brief: UN ‘regret’ over US settlements reversal; Almost daily attacks plunge Sahel into ‘three-country crisis’; live ammunition reportedly used against Iranian protesters; reconciliation helps ‘repair fractures’, promote peace; call for poorest countries to take leading role in their own development agendas; and World Toilet Day.
Increasing hurdles which prevent former combatants from returning to a peaceful civilian life have prompted the UN to update its standard practices, in an effort to ensure they remain “fit-for-purpose for years to come”.
The longstanding position of the UN regarding Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory – that they are in breach of international law – is unchanged, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a press briefing on Tuesday in New York, reacting to the policy reversal announced by the United States.
The UN Security Council this Tuesday has been debating what one activist labeled “the toughest and arguably most important part of the peace-building cycle”: reconciliation.
Violent attacks by extremists “almost every day” in the Sahel nations of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have displaced nearly one million people and caused emergency levels of malnutrition, UN humanitarians have said.
A recent resurgence of violence in Tripoli, means Libya is “ever more in a race against time” to reach peace, however, agreeing the way forward to ending the conflict “is a realistic prospect”, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Monday.
Representatives from across the Middle East are meeting at UN Headquarters this week in efforts to negotiate a legally binding treaty establishing a regional zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
