Security Council

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Tekeda Alemu (Ethiopia):

While moving forward with its reconfiguration efforts, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) remained focused on the implementation of its key strategic priorities, including the protection of civilians, the Security Council heard today as it took up the Secretary-General’s latest report on that mission (document S/2017/776).

The Security Council decided unanimously today to extend the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 15 September 2018 as an integrated special political mission.

The Security Council today approved the Secretary-General’s recommendations regarding the size, operational aspects and mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.

Recent progress against Boko Haram notwithstanding, Africa’s Lake Chad Basin continued to suffer a “staggering” and under-funded humanitarian crisis, the United Nations political affairs chief told the Security Council today, warning that Governments across the region had been forced to divert already scarce resources to fight terrorism and other security challenges.

Expressing deep concern about the political impasse in Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council today called upon the West African nation’s leaders to engage in genuine dialogue, find common ground and implement the Conakry Agreement of 14 October 2016, including by appointing a consensus Prime Minister, as required by that accord.

Hard-won Gains in Somalia could be swept away without predictable funding to ensure continued support for joint efforts to stamp out the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, as well as corruption and instability, the Security Council heard today.

On 8 September 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan was briefed by the Coordinator and two members of the Panel of Experts on the Sudan in connection with the Panel’s first report, which was submitted in accordance with paragraph 2 of resolution 2340 (2017).

Extolling the virtues of a strong partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, members of the Security Council today suggested ways in which to further enhance peace and security operations and foster progress in advancing common goals.

Many points of convergence on South Sudan, the Lake Chad Basin and Somalia had emerged during the Security Council’s eleventh joint consultative meeting with the African Union Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa from 5 to 9 September, Ethiopia’s representative said as he briefed members today.