Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

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Security Council: Meetings Coverage

SC/10921

Top United Nations Official Urges Security Council Mandate for Additional Brigade to Help Deal with ‘Daunting’ Challenges in Democratic Republic of Congo

Painting a troubling picture of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an ever-growing number of violent, destructive rebel groups was battling for territory while terrorizing local populations, the top United Nations official in the country appealed to the Security Council today urgently to consider authorizing an additional military brigade to help the overstretched peacekeeping mission there deal with a “daunting array” of challenges.
SC/10920

Security Council Extends Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau for Three Months, to Allow Time for Assessment of Situation, Possible Change in Mandate

Stressing that the complex situation facing Guinea-Bissau undermined the smooth functioning of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office there (UNIOGBIS), as well as that of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council today extended the mission’s current mandate for just three months to give the Secretary-General time to assess the situation on the ground and make recommendations, by 30 April, on its possible realignment.
SC/10919

Security Council Statement Welcomes 18 March Launch of Yemen’s National Dialogue, Expresses Concern at Reports of Interference in Country’s Transition

The Security Council today welcomed the recent announcement by Yemen’s President of the launch of the National Dialogue Conference for 18 March, but expressed concern over reports of interference in the country’s transition by individuals of the former regime, the former opposition, and others, including the country’s former President and Vice-President, as well as over reports of money and weapons being brought in from outside to undermine the transition.
SC/10918

For First Time in Two Decades, Somali People Speak of Hope, Optimism, Faith in New Developments, Even Though Still Facing Daunting Challenges, Security Council Told

The Security Council this morning, as it was briefed by a top United Nations political official on the recent transformation in Somalia and the daunting challenges ahead, was told by the country’s Deputy Prime Minister that the Somali people, for the first time in more than two decades, spoke of new hopes, optimism and confidence, as well as strong faith in the new developments in the country.
SC/10916

European Union ‘Steadfast Partner’ for UN in Trying to Steer Global Community Away from Conflict towards More Peaceful, Secure World, Security Council Told

The European Union harboured a strong belief in effective multilateralism and would remain a steadfast partner of the Security Council in its great responsibility of steering the international community away from conflict and confrontation towards a more peaceful and secure world, its High Representative pledged today, as she addressed the 15-member body.
SC/10913

Security Council Says States Have Primary Responsibility for Protecting Civilians in Conflict, Reaffirms Peacekeeping Missions Need Protection Mandate, Resources

In its continued consideration of the compelling need to protect unarmed populations targeted by belligerents in armed conflict or victimized as an unintended result of the fighting, the Security Council today held that States had the primary responsibility, but reaffirmed it would continue to ensure that peacekeeping missions, “where appropriate and on a case-by-case basis”, were also mandated to play their part and had priority in tapping into resources for that purpose.

SC/10909

Security Council Briefed on Results of 27 January Mission to Yemen

The co-leaders of the recent Security Council mission to Yemen reported today that, with the first phase of the country’s nascent political transition successfully completed, President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi had warned of “deep challenges” ahead, as his Government laboured to create “a new Yemen, built on the aspirations of the youth that occupied the squares” around the capital, Sana’a.
SC/10907

Situation in Guinea-Bissau Marked by Insecurity, Impunity, Despite Recent Political Progress towards Development of Transitional Road Map, Security Council Told

Despite recent political progress towards the development of a much-needed transitional road map in Guinea-Bissau — which would include the formation of an inclusive transitional government, fair and transparent elections and stability during the post-elections period — the situation in that country was still marked by fear, insecurity and impunity, said a top United Nations political official, as he briefed the Security Council this afternoon.