General Debate kicks off, peacekeeping, human rights for all and South-Sudan
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS): On the occasion of the 73rd General Assembly, the UN is hosting a plethora of events with some of the world’s most prominent leaders and experts, to set the pace on dozens of critical global topics. To help you navigate and make sure you don’t miss out on anything important, here’s the second of our daily UN News guides to what’s going on.
New York, Sept 20 (IBNS): The South Sudanese soldier who shot and wounded a UN peacekeeper on Saturday is facing a court martial, said David Shearer, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), during a press conference in the capital, Juba.
Human Rights Council hears plea to protect victims of ‘brutal’ sexual violence in South Sudan
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The plight of South Sudan’s women and girls “should no longer be ignored”, UN investigators told the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, citing the disturbing testimonies of sexual abuse victims who have been treated by soldiers and militias as the “spoils” of the more than five-year conflict.
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A “lack of command and control” on the part of South Sudan’s government, just days after signing a new peace agreement to end years of brutal civil conflict, is one of the factors which led to the shooting of a United Nations peacekeeper on Saturday, the UN mission chief in the country has said.
Landmark South Sudan deal offers hope, but trust ‘still lacking’ between parties – UN envoy
New York, Sept 14 (IBNS): Rebuilding trust and overcoming suspicion will be key to ensure the success of Thursday’s landmark peace agreement between the South Sudanese Government and main political opposition, the top United Nations official in the country has said.
New York, Sept 8 (IBNS): Virginia Gamba, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, on Friday called for much greater accountability and effort, to prevent grave violations against children across the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan.
Verdict against South Sudan soldiers ‘finally delivers justice’ – UN Mission
New York, Sept 7 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has applauded the verdict by a military court on Thursday, that found ten government soldiers guilty of murder, rape and other crimes against civilians and journalists at a hotel in the capital Juba, just over two years ago.
New home for scores of South Sudan's displaced
New York, Sept 5 (IBNS): Nearly 3,500 people displaced by violence in South Sudan have been relocated from a UN-run camp in the capital, Juba, to temporary housing, the organization’s mission in the country, UNMISS, reported on Tuesday.
South Sudan peace deal a ‘big step forward’: UN mission chief
New York, Aug 7 (IBNS): There was jubilation in the streets of South Sudan’s capital overnight on Sunday, as residents celebrated a new agreement that the top UN official in the country has described as “a big step forward” towards ending nearly five years of brutal conflict.
Security Council imposes arms embargo on South Sudan
New York, July 14 (IBNS): The Security Council on Friday narrowly passed a measure aimed at stopping the flow of weapons to armed groups in South Sudan, with those Members in favour saying it would protect civilians, while abstainers voiced concerns that it would undermine the ongoing peace process in the world’s youngest country.
New York, July 13 (IBNS): Since the start of the conflict in South Sudan, widespread and systematic sexual violence has been a pervasive tactic of war and terror, said a high-level United Nations envoy, after visiting the war-torn country and hearing “horrific” testimonies.
'We will not give up on looking for peace for South Sudan': UN deputy chief
New York, July 4 (IBNS): In a visit to South Sudan on Tuesday, the UN Deputy Secretary-General spoke mother-to-mother with displaced women, pledging that she and other senior women leaders from the international community will not give up on the hope for peace for their nation.
New York, June 28 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General has welcomed an agreement signed on Wednesday by the President of South Sudan and his former Vice President, which it is hoped will lead to an “inclusive and implementable” peace deal to end years of civil conflict in the world’s youngest nation.
South Sudan suffering on ‘almost unimaginable scale’, warns UN relief chief
New York, June 5 (IBNS): People are suffering “on an almost unimaginable scale” in South Sudan, the United Nations emergency relief chief said on Monday, adding that he welcomed the announcement by the United States that it is to review the amount of assistance it provides to the war-torn country.
Rival South Sudan leaders still ‘bent on armed confrontation’ – UN peacekeeping chief
New York, May 9 (IBNS): The peace process in South Sudan is at a critical juncture while opposing sides allow themselves to get bogged down in arguments over ministerial quotas, the United Nations peacekeeping chief said on Tuesday, as the country prepares for a third round of regionally-backed peace talks.