The complex peace and security issues facing Africa are such that neither the United Nations, nor the African Union can address the challenges on their own, the Security Council was told today as it received its annual briefing on strengthening cooperation between the two organizations.
Recent developments in West Africa and the Sahel have been characterized by both volatility and democratic gains, the top United Nations official in the region told the Security Council today, warning that the latter “are not immune from reversal” and could be negatively impacted by the former.
The status quo in Libya cannot be sustained, said the top United Nations official in that country today, warning about the potential threat of economic collapse, the breakdown of public services and more frequent and intense outbreaks of violence.
The Security Council today decided to extend its sanctions regime in South Sudan and impose a travel ban and assets freeze on two high-ranking individuals — an act South Sudan’s representative described as a “slap in the face” to those engaged in his country’s ongoing peace negotiation process.
Deciding to extend until 30 June 2019 the mandate of the African Union‑United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), the Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution, also stressing that the drawdown of the mission should be based on progress against related indicators and benchmarks.
The Security Council, strongly condemning the rise of incitement to ethnic and religious hatred and violence in the Central African Republic — as well as manipulated hostility towards the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and other international actors — today adopted a presidential statement urging armed groups to cease all forms of violence, lay down their arms and engage constructively in the country’s evolving peace process.
The Security Council, convening today to discuss the nexus between climate change and conflicts around the globe, considered several concrete proposals to guide the 15-member organ’s efforts — or those of other United Nations entities — on that evolving and increasingly critical issue.
There can be no peace, security or development without the involvement of women at all levels of decision‑making and peace processes, the Security Council heard today during a briefing from senior officials who just returned from a visit to the Sahel region, where women and girls pay a stark cost for conflict.
The Security Council, acting unanimously at the outset of a far-ranging open debate today, adopted a resolution aimed at further crystalizing the protection of children in armed conflicts, including by combating their recruitment by non-State armed groups and treating formerly recruited children primarily as victims.
After years of decreases, casualties from explosive hazards were on the rise, the Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions told the Security Council today, as the 15-nation organ took stock of progress in implementing its first stand-alone text on mine action, resolution 2365 (2017).
