Security Council: Meetings Coverage

Despite recent strides in strengthening the ability of the United Nations to protect civilians, conflicts around the world were still characterized by a “prevailing disrespect” for the core principles of international humanitarian law, top officials warned the Security Council today.

The international community must mobilize to overcome the “highly volatile” security situation and degenerating humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic, including by supporting the newly deployed African Union mission, the top United Nations official in that country told the Security Council today.

Deeply concerned at the threat of piracy and armed robbery to international navigation and regional security and economic development, and the reported number of incidents and level of violence in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of 2013, the Security Council today welcomed the adoption by the region’s leaders of a Code of Conduct, which, it says, paves the way for a legally binding instrument.

The Security Council today encouraged the continuing involvement of regional and subregional organizations in the peaceful settlement of disputes, including through conflict prevention, confidence building and mediation, and underlined the importance of utilizing their existing and potential capabilities.

Expressing support for the long-standing United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, the Security Council this morning decided to extend the mission, established in 1964, for another six months until 31 January 2014.

Expressing deep concern over a range of security, human rights and humanitarian issues in Darfur, the Security Council this morning decided to renew the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in that vast western Sudanese region for a further 13 months, until 31 August 2014.

Expressing support for the peace accord signed in February by 11 African nations to end years of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Security Council this afternoon called on that strife-torn nation and neighbouring countries for full and prompt implementation of their commitments.

On the heels of a fourth attack against peacekeepers in recent months and amid a recent uptick in violence, “much more remains to be done” to end the political and ethnic hostilities in Darfur, the top United Nations-African Union official there told the Security Council today.

The Security Council today decided to renew the mandate of the group monitoring sanctions imposed on Somalia, explicitly targeting parties that obstructed justice while further easing funding and equipment restrictions on the United Nations and European Union missions in that country.

The Security Council today decided to extend the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, known as UNAMI, for another year, until 31 July 2014, but signalled its intention to review the mandate during that time if asked to do so by the Government.