The Security Council today failed to renew the travel ban and asset freeze imposed through resolution 2374 (2017) against individuals and entities obstructing implementation of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, unable to reach consensus on either of two resolutions that would have kept such measures in place amidst the drawdown of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Closing a mission built over a decade within a period of six months is “a complex and ambitious endeavour”, especially amid a host of other constraints linked to security, logistics, geography and infrastructure, the top UN official in Mali told the Security Council today.
In Pakistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today warned that, one year after the historic floods that devastated the country, millions of children continue to need humanitarian assistance and access to essential services.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, an elementary school was demolished days before the start of the new school year. It served pupils from the few Palestinian families remaining in the herding community of Ein Samiya, following the displacement of most amid settler violence and diminishing grazing land.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations continues to support efforts to protect civilians amid increasing attacks by the CODECO armed group in Ituri Province.
In Lebanon, after a week-long suspension of services in Ein el Hilweh camp due to armed clashes, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has resumed operations. Health Centre II reopened today. UNRWA is also preparing to assess and clear remnants of war from affected zones.
In Niger, United Nations Humanitarian Air Service flights are grounded as air space in that country remains closed. While the Organization and its humanitarian partners will continue supporting vulnerable populations there, the $583 million humanitarian appeal for Niger is only 32 per cent funded.
Conflict prevention is the best method to protect civilians from harm, the Security Council heard today, as the Force Commanders of United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon shared their experience and insight into how missions’ military components can help to implement such tasks.
The United Nations Mission Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization in the Central African Republic announced today a plan to dedicate about $3 million to finance quick-impact projects intended to support the reconciliation, political process and peace process, improve security and help restore State authority.
