Colombia

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

The new Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations, Guillermo Fernandez de Soto Valderrama, presented his credentials to UN Secretary‑General António Guterres today.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz (Bolivia):

Civilians continue to suffer high casualties, with the combined use of suicide and non-suicide improvised explosive devices by non-government fighters remaining the leading cause, according to the latest report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Continuing commitment by the new Government of Colombia to the peace process that ended the long civil war there is critical to overcoming the formidable challenges still remaining, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the South American country told the Security Council today.

The Government of Zimbabwe has declared a state of emergency following a cholera outbreak in the capital, Harare, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports.  As of this morning, there have been more than 4,000 suspected cases, including 58 confirmed cases, and 25 cholera-related deaths.

The Security Council decided today to extend until 2019 the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) welcomed Qatar’s decision to end exit visa requirements for most of its migrant workers.  ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said in a tweet that this is a “positive step towards decent work”, adding that the agency is committed to working with the Government of Qatar as it pursues further reforms.  The Secretary-General adds his welcome to the voice of ILO.

United Nations humanitarian officials say violent protests in Ethiopia’s Somali region have led to at least 29 deaths, and that houses of worship, homes and businesses have been attacked and destroyed.  The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that some 22,000 households were already provided with emergency supplies, but more than 150,000 still need assistance.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Olof Skoog (Sweden):