South Sudan ceasefire ‘largely holding;’ UN urges safe passage for fleeing civilians
New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported that the ceasefire in the crisis-gripped country appears to be “largely holding, barring sporadic gunfire,†while the UN refugee agency has urged countries to keep their borders open for people fleeing tensions in Juba, where the human rights wing has warned the situation is “deteriorating rapidly.â€
New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): Ahead of a meeting with the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday on South Sudan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the body to impose an immediate arms embargo, enact additional targeted sanctions on leaders and commanders blocking implementation of the peace deal, and to fortify the UN mission in the country, which has seen a resurgence of deadly violence in recent days.
West Africa and Sahel must step up intelligence gathering, UN envoy tells Security Council
New York, July 12 (Just Earth News): Countries in West Africa and the Sahel must expand intelligence gathering capacities to counter militant threats, such as those posed by Boko Haram, the head of the United Nations operation for that region said on Monday.
New York, July 9 (Just Earth News): The Central African Republic’s (CAR) considerable progress over the past two years risks being reversed unless national authorities demonstrated commitment to inclusive and transparent governance, and to addressing the root causes of the crisis afflicting the country, the United Nations peacekeeping chief warned on Friday.
Ahead of South Sudan's fifth anniversary of independence, renewed violence draws UN concern
New York, July 9 (Just Earth News): As South Sudan prepares to make its fifth anniversary of independence, United Nations officials on Friday expressed concern over the continuing violence in parts of the country and the resulting forced displacement of people, both internally and throughout the neighbouring region.
Malian parties must make peace and reconciliation ‘a reality,’ UN envoy tells Security Council
New York, June 17 (Just Earth News):Despite some progress, key challenges to implementing Mali’s peace and reconciliation agreement remained, one year after the Government and armed groups signed the accord, the United Nations envoy in the West African country told the Security Council on Thursday.
New York, June 16 (Just Earth News):The United Nations is concerned about the impact of Uganda’s potential withdrawal from military operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in the Central African Republic, the Secretary-General’s envoy for the region said on Wednesday, stressing that a departure of Ugandan troops must be well-coordinated.
Security Council condemns deadly terrorist attack in Tel Aviv
New York, June 10 (Just Earth News):The members of the Security Council on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms yesterday's terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, during which at least four civilians were killed and many more injured.
Security Council approves two-month extension for African Union Mission in Somalia
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a two-month extension of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), allowing adequate time for the 15-member body to consider the outcome of its recently-concluded visit to the Horn of Africa country.
South Sudan: New team of explosive detection dogs arrives at UN mission
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan said on Friday it will receive 37 new explosive detection dogs as part of an increase in the presence of such dogs throughout the country.
‘The will to advance towards peace clearly exists’ in the Middle East – UN envoy
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the peace process in the Middle East on Wednesday warned the Security Council that, as circumstances on the ground continue to deteriorate, lamenting the disappearance of a negotiated two-state solution has become a “default narrative†for many.
South Sudan: Senior UN relief official condemns killing of health worker
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News):The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan has strongly condemned the killing of Veronika Racková, a Slovakian nun and medical doctor who was shot on 15 May in Yei, while on a humanitarian mission, and later succumbed to her wounds.
Citing obstruction, UN torture prevention panel suspends Ukraine visit
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has suspended its visit to Ukraine after being denied access to places in several parts of the country where it suspects people are being deprived of their liberty by the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU.
In recorded vote, Security Council approves one year extension of UN mission in Western Sahara
New York, Apr 30 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Security Council on Friday, by recorded vote, adopted a resolution extending for one year the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), emphasizing “the urgent need for the mission to return to full functionality.â€
Ukraine: Security Council meets on situation with sense of ‘urgency and hope’
New York, Apr 29 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As the conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine enters its third year, the United Nations Security Council on Thursday met with both a sense of urgency and hope, as described by a senior UN political official.