A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally. USG DiCarlo on the situation in Lebanon: “Further escalation benefits no one” On 11 March, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council regarding the situation in Lebanon. She said the decision by Hizbullah to attack Israel on 2 March had drawn the country into a conflict it neither sought nor could afford. She said…
If Bunia Could Speak: When poetry becomes a space for healing and advocacy for peace
“If Bunia could speak, it will wake up with hope tomorrow. It will ask to stop bleeding. It will ask to breathe peace.” Inside the conference room of MONUSCO’s logistics base in Bunia, these words were spoken in a single voice. They did not come from one poet alone, but from a group of women — community mediators, women’s rights advocates, young leaders and female peacekeepers — gathered for a poetry workshop. The text they were reading had just…
Displaced families in Mundri live in limbo amidst persistent violence between armed forces
The usually quiet church compound in Mundri has turned in a bustling hub of activity with more than 4,000 people crowded together in makeshift shelters. These families have sought sanctuary at the site after being forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives during military confrontations between armed forces in Greater Mundri a few months ago. Thirty-eight-year-old Aida Stephen is among those struggling to support her family in dire…
UN Security Council extends UNAMA mandate for three months
On 16 March, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2818 (2026), extending UNAMA’s mandate for an additional three months.
Advancing women, peace and security
Members of the Libyan Women’s Caucus hold an online meeting with young women to capture perspectives and recommendations for the Structured Dialogue
TRIPOLI – In an online meeting on Monday 9 March, members of the Structured Dialogue’s (SD) Libyan Women’s Caucus met with around 30 young women from across the country to brief them on their work and hear their perspectives on key issues related to governance, economy, security, national reconciliation and human rights. Supporting effective participation of women of all ages and person with disability in the SD, and ensuring that their concerns…
An UNMISS- supported dialogue seeks to build social cohesion, counter hate speech
JONGLEI - “Information is the backbone of communication. When the public lacks accurate information, rumors and misinformation can quickly spread and create conflict.” This warning from civil society leader Bol Deng Bol reflects growing concern among community leaders in South Sudan’s Jonglei, where peace actors are intensifying efforts to counter hate speech and strengthen peaceful coexistence between communities. A dialogue supported by the…
New Special Protection Unit in Maridi boosts confidence in reporting violence against women
WESTERN EQUATORIA - A newly established Special Protection Unit (SPU) in Maridi a county in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, has had a tangible impact on increasing women’s protection. This confidential space for community members to report violence against women has led to a noticeable reduction in incidents over the past year. “After the Special Protection Unit was fully functioning, we have seen a distinct increase in reports related to…
In Bor, survivors of sexual violence and abduction finally find safety, support
JONGLEI – “I don’t want to return home. It will only remind me of what we have been through.” Nyakim’s * tragedy began with her husband being killed and her home being burnt down when armed actors attacked her village in northern Jonglei last month. But it didn’t stop there: she and her seven children were abducted by the perpetrators, alongside 22 other women and children. What followed can only be described as a seemingly never-ending nightmare…
Over 13 tons of food items donated for displaced people in Tyre
As part of UNIFIL’s continued efforts to support communities affected by ongoing exchanges of fire in south Lebanon, the mission’s Italian peacekeepers made substantial food donations to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Tyre last week. On 13 March, peacekeepers delivered more than 13 tons of packaged food items – in addition to essential medical kits, medicines and hygiene kits – to the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Union of Tyre…
Governance
Speech of the SRSG | Exchange Meeting on the Implementation of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to have the opportunity to address a few words to you at the opening of this meeting, at such an important moment for the life of the country. The adoption of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections constitutes an important step in the current phase of the transition. I welcome the presence of representatives of political parties, whether signatories to the National Pact or not, as well…
Mogadishu, 1 November 2015 – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, condemned today’s terrorist attack on the Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu that has resulted in several deaths and…
On 2 November 2015, UNAMID’s Civil Affairs Section (CAS), Sector Central, in collaboration with the Mission’s Human Rights Section and Rwandese Battalion 42, handed over fully constructed youth centers to the displaced living…
Mogadishu – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, condemned today’s terrorist attack on the Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu that has resulted in several deaths and injuries.“I…
November 2015 - The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, today called upon all partners in South Sudan's peace process to remain supportive of the Joint Monitoring and…
KABUL - As part of UNAMA’s ongoing advocacy for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, a panel of experts highlighted international humanitarian law, the responsibilities of parties to conflict and Islamic…
New York, 31 October 2015 - In response to questions concerning the leadership of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the Secretary-General reaffirms that his Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino…
31 October 2015 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is following the efforts towards de-escalation made in the western region of Libya after the crash of a helicopter several days ago. The Mission highly…
Aiming to prevent polio, the second round of a vaccination campaign targeting children under the age of five started in Unity State this week. UNICEF and the World Health Organisation are conducting the three-day vaccination…
UNMISS had extracted 18 peacekeepers who were detained by heavily armed men affiliated to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) - In Opposition in Upper Nile State, Mission Spokesperson Ariane Quentier said in Juba today…
SRSG meets MSU Commander, Colonel Paolo Coletta 30 October 2015, Pristina – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Zahir Tanin, met with MSU Commander, Colonel Paolo Coletta UNMIK Photo/ Arton Mucolli
The United Nations system in Burundi, in collaboration with the government, commemorated the 70th anniversary of the United Nations' creation on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in Bujumbura. On this occasion, UN officials…