The threat posed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and its associates to international peace and security remained high despite military setbacks in Iraq and Syria, financial pressures and international efforts to defeat them, the senior United Nations political official told the Security Council this afternoon.
Recent developments in several high-profile cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia were strong indications that its work was on track for completion by the end of 2017, although full cooperation with the court’s decisions and orders would be critical to ensuring grave crimes did not go unpunished, the Security Council heard today.
The sense of hope and optimism felt in Libya following the signing of that country’s political deal last December was giving way to a growing sense of impatience and concern, the Security Council heard today during a briefing on the latest developments in the North African country.
In a conflictual world characterized by scattered power, global peace and security would only stand a chance only if nations and regions united against common threats transcending their borders, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy told the Security Council today, amid calls for greater cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations.
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.
