Security Council: Meetings Coverage

Sexual violence was increasingly evolving from a tactic of war to one of terrorism, speakers said today, as the Security Council held an open debate on the use of sexual violence in conflict situations.

The Security Council’s visiting mission to East Africa and its efforts to build stronger relations with the African Union were among the highlights of its work in May, members said today, as the 15-member organ held its monthly “wrap-up” meeting.

Expressing its deep concern at the failure of South Sudan’s leaders to end hostilities and fully implement the agreement on resolving the conflict in that country, the Security Council today renewed until 31 May 2017 a package of sanctions — including a travel ban and asset freeze — imposed by resolution 2206 (2015) on those blocking peace, security and stability.

There was an urgent need for political action to bolster the ceasefire and end the suffering in Syria, but humanitarian access to the millions of people in need must never be open to negotiation, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator emphasized as he briefed the Security Council today.

The Security Council extended its authorization for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 8 July 2016 today, requesting that the Secretary-General maintain logistical support for it until that date.

Stretched thin between the interlinked challenges of desertification, poverty and rising violent extremism, resolving challenges facing the Sahel region of Africa would require accelerated regional action and urgent international support, the Security Council heard during a series of briefings today.

Justice and the rule of law remained critical key elements for the return to stability in Libya, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, told the Security Council this morning as it addressed the situation in that country.

During its recent visiting mission to the Horn of Africa, Council members reaffirmed the Security Council’s support for the ongoing political process in Somalia and met with top officials to address the region’s security and humanitarian challenges, co-leaders of the mission told the 15-member body in their briefing this morning.

The Security Council today terminated, with immediate effect, the sanctions regime on Liberia, including the arms restrictions that had remained following gradual lifting of measures as the Council deemed that progress had been made in emerging from the devastating civil conflict of past decades.

Following an invitation by the President of Egypt to mediate between Palestinian factions, and ahead of a Paris meeting to reaffirm commitment to a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process today called upon both sides to “continue the historic step taken towards peace by Israel and Egypt” 37 years ago.