A dangerous political crisis had emerged in Yemen which, together with violations of human rights, widespread attacks by Al-Qaida, increasing secessionist tendencies in the south and an acute humanitarian crisis, threatened regional and international peace, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council this morning.
Expressing concern over non-compliance with sanctions it imposed to counter instability in Sudan’s Darfur region, the Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the Panel of Experts on the measures for an additional 13 months until 12 March 2016.
The Security Council this morning underlined the obligations of Member States to take steps to prevent terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria from benefiting from trade in oil, antiquities and hostages, and from receiving donations.
The Security Council this morning urged the parties in the inter-Malian negotiation process in Algiers to resume their talks to achieve and implement a comprehensive peace agreement, while demanding that all groups cease hostilities or face possible targeted sanctions.
Reporting both the end of a prolonged political impasse and the eruption of violent protests in Kosovo, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning that leaders of the parties there must engage seriously in ongoing dialogue and make the hard choices required for regional stability.
The Government of Guinea-Bissau elected last year had made great strides, but stability remained fragile in the country pending further reforms and economic development that required the sustained support of the international community, briefers told the Security Council this morning.
Given setbacks in Somalia due to political crises in 2014, it was critical to accelerate the federalism process in 2015 to maintain progress in stability, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning.
Chilling accounts of stonings, enslavement, rape and forced suicide bombings were among the current horrific targeted affects armed conflict had on women and girls, the Security Council was told, hearing from almost 70 speakers during its biannual day-long debate on civilian protection.
Stressing the need for intensified efforts by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to reach a comprehensive settlement on their divided island, the Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2015.
The range of crises on the agenda of the Security Council at the start of 2015, as well as progress in Haiti seen on a recent visiting mission, showed the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict, the Permanent Representative of Chile, President of the body for January, said in a monthly wrap-up meeting this morning.
