Current World News

UN Security Council Calls for Military Action Against Rebel Group in Congo

As the deadline for the disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda rebel group passed the UN Security Council is calling for joint military action to neutralize the FDLR in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UNITED NATIONS, January 9 (Sputnik) – The UN Security Council is calling for joint military action to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the deadline for the disarmament of the FDLR rebel group has passed.

The Security Council's presidential statement released Thursday "reiterates the need to put into sustained action the plans of the FARDC [Congolese army] and MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC] through its Force Intervention Brigade…to neutralize the FDLR by commencing military operations immediately".

According to the statement, the FDLR has not only "failed to unconditionally and fully surrender and demobilize" by the January 2nd deadline set by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), but has also "continued to recruit new fighters in their ranks".

The UN Security Council stressed that while the disarmament of rebel groups in the DRC is important, it is also crucial to address the root causes of the conflict in the east of the country and develop "a comprehensive approach to restore peace and stability in the affected areas".

The FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu nationalist rebel group, has been active in the east of the DRC since 2000.

MONUSCO was established in the DRC in 1999 and has been working with the country's government to destroy dozens of rebel groups operating in eastern DRC.

UN to Host Libya Talks in Geneva Next Week

Global Leaders Lack Incentive to Secure World Peace: Adviser

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special adviser on post-2015 development, Amina J. Mohammed said that world leaders are not concerned with achieving peace and security in the world.

WASHINGTON, January 14 (Sputnik) – World leaders are not interested in doing what is necessary to achieve peace and security in the world, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special adviser on post-2015 development, Amina J. Mohammed, has pointed out.

"That's what worries me most of all. I see in a room of leaders that there's no incentive for them to find a way to make peace," Mohammed said Tuesday, speaking at the Brookings Institution about a UN initiative to end poverty by 2030.

Mohammed explained that, although global development can make investments that prevent conflicts, such as reducing inequality, improving education and providing children with hope, "the development agenda can't make peace".

The UN adviser claimed that while development initiatives since 2000 have had a number of success stories, they have left too many people behind, especially in Mohammed's native homeland, Nigeria, where "by and large they've left people behind in a very insecure world".

Mohammed characterized Africa as a "petri dish" in a laboratory that has launched a number of successful "pilot" projects and best practices, but has failed to achieve sustainable results and shared prosperity.

"We've never managed to propagate it to scale, where everyone's included. So, the big message of 2015 is we leave no one behind," the representative said.

Mohammed believes that hope should not be abandoned, and the international community can and should focus on addressing weak institutions, so that developing countries can deliver peace, democracy and rule of law, which are the glue of a healthy society.

"We do have to put up front and center that the eradication of poverty is still possible in our lifetime," Mohammed stressed.

In September, the international community will gather at the United Nations headquarters in New York to confirm sustainable development targets for ending poverty by 2030.

According to UN estimates, 1.2 billion people in the world are still living in extreme poverty and over 99 million children under age five are undernourished and underweight.

UN Concerned About Crime, Child Migration Issues in Honduras

UN Security Council Urges Wider Participation in Libya Peace Talks

UN Security Council has called on the conflicting parties in Libya peace talks to attend the second round of negotiations, scheduled for next week.

UNITED NATIONS, January 18 (Sputnik) – After two days of Libya peace talks held in Geneva the UN Security Council has called on the conflicting parties to attend the second round of negotiations, scheduled for next week, threatening to impose sanctions against those who attempt to obstruct the peace process.

In a Saturday statement, members of the Security Council "welcomed the 14-15 January round of talks in the Libyan dialogue hosted by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Geneva" as well as "announcements of a ceasefire on 16 January".

The Security Council urged "all relevant Libyan stakeholders" to attend the next round of talks to be held in Geneva next week, stressing that "there can be no military solution to the crisis in Libya".

The Council statement warned that "the Sanctions Committee is prepared to sanction those who threaten Libya's peace, stability or security or that obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition".

On Saturday, Libya's Islamist-backed Dawn militia alliance announced a full ceasefire following the UN-brokered peace talks, where the warring sides managed to reach a compromise, agreeing to form a unity government.

Earlier this week, the UN press service reported that the consultations between the warring sides were intensive, constructive, and were conducted in a positive atmosphere.

A civil war in Libya erupted back in 2011, after the country's long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown. Several militia groups were fighting for power in the country.

According to the United Nations, thousands have died during the conflict, and the war has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Libya. More than 120,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, there are food and clean water shortages across the country.

UN Security Council Calls for Ceasefire in Yemen, Supports President Hadi

LOL who even cares about the UN?

Seriously George it's no co-incidence that you're the only one posting here. Close this abortion of a thread and free up your time for more valuable pursuits.

flamming_python wrote:LOL who even cares about the UN?

Seriously George it's no co-incidence that you're the only one posting here. Close this abortion of a thread and free up your time for more valuable pursuits.

its for the rest of the world minor conflicts-issues not for the UN itself as an organization

The attention of the world is drawn by the western media to hotspots... anything involving Russia and/or oil get all the attention and other conflicts get none.

In fact they seem to actively turn away from old conflicts they were once fascinated by like Libya, largely because they now have their way with the local oil supplies or the boogey man they created to justify the attack is gone.

Please continue George... I read everything here and appreciate knowing what is happening even if the western media doesn't care.

I don't post often is such threads as there is rarely much to say, but part of the reason I supported getting you on staff was your dedication to posting real news.

You give the Forum more depth.

UN Calls on South Sudan to Address Root Causes of Internal Conflict

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the President of South Sudan and the country’s former vice president, Riek Machar, to respect the ceasefire agreement signed earlier this month and conclude a peace deal addressing the root causes of an ongoing conflict.

UNITED NATIONS, January 24 (Sputnik) – According to a statement released by the United Nations Friday, Ban Ki-moon “reminds the parties that time is running out. He urges them to use the opportunity of the forthcoming IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] Summit to reach a final agreement on the end to the conflict, including a power-sharing formula and measures to address its root causes and ensure accountability”.

The UN Secretary General also calls for the “immediate implementation” of the Agreement on the Reunification of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed by the parties to the South Sudanese conflict, in Arusha, Tanzania, on 21 January 2015.

Ban Ki-moon urges President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar “to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement, and encourages the signatories to resolve the leadership issues of the SPLM”, UN’s Friday statement said.

People walk on a street in Juba, southern Sudan, Jan. 8, 2011. Around four million southern Sudanese are expected to vote in the coming referendum on Sunday to decide whether the region should remain united with the north or secede to establish an independent state.

On January 9, the UN Mission in South Sudan said it was concerned by the lack of progress in the county’s peace process, stressing that there is a real possibility that fighting would continue, increasing the risk of famine in 2015.

In December, members of the UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement demanding a cessation of violence in South Sudan and threatening to impose sanctions if the crisis in the country is not resolved.

According to the UN Security Council, there have been serious human rights abuses in South Sudan and those responsible for violating international humanitarian law in the country should be held accountable.

Violence erupted in South Sudan in December, 2013, when president Salva Kiir accused Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Thousands of people have been killed in the ongoing civil war in the country.

Geneva Talks on Libya Constructive, UN Says After Attack on Tripoli Hotel

The UN Support Mission in Libya said in a statement Tuesday after two days of continued meetings in Geneva that the talks were constructive and touched on some of the issues that were agreed upon in the agenda of the first dialogue round convened in Geneva in mid-January.

UNITED NATIONS, January 28 (Sputnik) – The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced after two days of continued meetings in Geneva that the talks were constructive, but stressed the need to expedite the process, citing a recent attack on a hotel in Libya's capital, Tripoli.

UNSMIL said in a statement Tuesday that "the dialogue [held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva] was elaborate and constructive and touched on some of the issues that were agreed upon in the agenda of the first dialogue round convened in Geneva in mid-January".

Stressing the need to speed up the process, UNSMIL said that "in order to reach a consensus formula on the national unity government to end the institutional crisis and safeguard, the country's unity" agreements must be reached on a "permanent and comprehensive ceasefire along with effective monitoring mechanism as well as arrangements for the withdrawal of armed groups from the cities, particularly the capital".

Libyan military soldiers check on an area asLibyan military soldiers check on an area as they battle with Islamic extremist militias in Benghazi, Libya, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. they battle with Islamic extremist militias in Benghazi, Libya, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014.

The statement strongly condemned the recent attack that targeted a hotel in Tripoli, causing a number of casualties among Libyans and foreigners, as well as other terrorist attacks against civilians across the country.

According to UNSMIL, Libya talks will continue in the coming weeks and "representatives of the municipal and local councils of towns and cities from across Libya" are expected to join the next meeting scheduled to take place in Geneva on Wednesday. Further dialogue will see the participation of Libyan "armed groups, political parties and societal and tribal forces".

Earlier on Tuesday a car exploded outside of a hotel in Tripoli, killing three guards. The US State Department confirmed the death of one US national in Libya, following the attack.

Some senior officials were reportedly inside the hotel at the time of the explosion and several people were taken hostage. The French government has confirmed that the country's national was among the victims killed during the attack.

Libya has been in a state of social and political turmoil since the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Several militia groups have been fighting for power in the country.

According to the United Nations, thousands have died as a result of the civil war that has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Libya.

South Sudan President and Rebel Leader Strike Peace Deal, End to Civil War

The agreement, signed by President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, will hopefully bring peace to the world's youngest country, where a civil war has raged since December 2013.

MOSCOW, February 2 (Sputnik) – The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, and rebel commander Riek Machar have signed a ceasefire agreement at talks in Ethiopia aimed at stopping the civil war which broke out in December 2013, AFP reports.

"Complete cessation of hostilities in South Sudan is expected as of this morning [Monday]," chief IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] negotiator Seyoum Mesfin told reporters in Abbis Ababa as the deal was signed, according to AFP.

Macher, Kiir's former vice president who opposed him military after being fired by the president in July 2013, said after signing: "This is a partial agreement because we have not solved some of the most critical issues." Macher, who was accused by Kiir of a plot to overthrow the government in December 2013, cited disagreements over the "transitional government structure" to divide responsibilities in the proposed administration.

Now that the deal has been agreed to, talks have now been adjourned until February 20, with the BBC reporting that the parties are expected to use the time to consider the power-sharing arrangements before concluding a final agreement before March 5. Mediators from the IGAD bloc of eight East African nations have threatened to follow through with threats of sanctions if the terms of the ceasefire are again broken, and patience is wearing thin: this is the eighth summit to attempt a solution. Mesfin told AFP that IGAD would ask for "tough measures" from the UN Security Council and the African Union's Peace and Security Council in the event of further violations.

An estimated 10,000 people have died and 1.5 million displaced in the fighting which broke out in December 2013 between the army faction loyal to Kiir and rebels led by Macher. In July 2013 Kiir, who belongs to the Dinka ethnic group, the largest in South Sudan, dismissed Macher and his cabinet, accusing his deputy of plotting a coup. Macher, a member of the Nuer ethnic group, the country's second largest, denied the claim, and has since been directing rebel fighters against the government.

The Dinka and Neur tribes warred against each other in other in Sudan's civil war during the early 1990s, and the current conflict is also being fought predominantly among tribal lines. Monday's agreement is the latest of numerous attempts to end the fighting. A ceasefire deal agreed to in November was broken within hours, and a western diplomat told AFP that the current deal “is not a significant breakthrough, this is a small step at the most."

South Sudan became an independent state in 2011 after voting in a referendum for independence from Sudan. The secession came after five decades of conflict in Sudan since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1956.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/africa/20150202/1017644535.html#ixzz3QaaegAii

UN Calls for Inclusive Government in Somalia, Efforts to Fight Al-Shabaab

The UN Security Council underscored its commitment to support fighting the al-Shabaab terrorist group and bringing peace and stability to Somalia.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council called for an inclusive government in Somalia and for greater international efforts to fight the al-Shabaab terrorist group.

"They [the members of the Security Council] encouraged greater efforts from all of Somalia's political leadership, including the President, Prime Minister and Parliament, to work together to establish quickly an inclusive and representative government," the Security Council's press statement said Thursday.

The members of the UN Security Council also underscored their commitment to continue to support all international efforts aimed at ending the threat posed by al-Shabaab and creating a "conducive atmosphere for peace building and sustainable development in Somalia."

The ongoing political crisis in Somalia stems from 1991, when the clan-based opposition groups overthrew the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Since then, the country has been without an effective government, with the internationally-recognized federal authorities controlling only the capital city of Mogadishu and a part of central Somalia. The other areas in the country are self-governing or controlled by unrecognized state formations.

For the past seven years, the Mogadishu government has been under assault by the al-Shabaab Islamist group, which wants to topple the UN-backed government and create an Islamic state on the controlled territories.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150206/1017860655.html#ixzz3Qy1XdQys

Deployment of UN peacekeepers in East Ukraine Possible – Russian UN Envoy

UNSC Welcomes New Somali Cabinet, Urges Stabilization

The UN Security Council urged the stabilization of areas recovered from al-Shabaab in Somalia.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council (UNSC) welcomed the formation of a new cabinet in Somalia and urged the stabilization of areas recovered from al-Shabaab.

On February 9, Somali parliament approved a new cabinet of 25 ministers.

"The members of the Security Council welcomed the approval of the Cabinet list by the Federal Parliament of Somalia on 9 February," the Security Council said in a press release Tuesday.

The UN Security Council also called for "establishment and strengthening of interim regional administrations, the stabilization of areas recovered from Al Shabaab, and resuming the implementation and review of the Provisional Constitution, without further delay."

The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of Somalia's leaders, including the new Government, the President and Parliament, to develop effective methods of preventing prolonged political crises in the future.

The ongoing political crisis in Somalia stems from 1991, when the clan-based opposition groups overthrew the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Since then, the country has been without an effective government, with the internationally-recognized federal authorities controlling only the capital city of Mogadishu and a part of central Somalia. The other areas in the country are self-governing or controlled by unrecognized state formations.

For the past seven years, the Mogadishu government has been under assault by the al-Shabaab Islamist group, which wants to topple the UN-backed government and create an Islamic state on the controlled territories.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/africa/20150211/1018087263.html#ixzz3RQnzfcpW

As Peace Talks Collapse, African Union Blames US, UK for South Sudan Crisis

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/news/20150307/1019180353.html#ixzz3TnrSPjFO

Russia, China, Venezuela, Angola skip informal UN Security Council meeting on Crimea

The meeting was held under the so-called "Arria-formula" that allows the Security Council members to exchange views in a private order with the participation of persons invited by the organizers

UNITED NATIONS, March 20. /TASS/. Four UN Security Council members - Russia, China, Venezuela and Angola - refused to attend Thursday’s meeting on Crimea initiated by Lithuania.

The closed-door meeting was attended by Mustafa Dzhemilev, who is a member of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and the former head of the Crimean Tatar community.

Russia’s permanent mission to the UN earlier dismissed the event as "counterproductive and provocative." "The Russian delegation will not take part in it and, as far as we know, the delegations of several other countries won’t do it either," the mission said in a statement.

Lithuania’s UN envoy Raimonda Murmokaite confirmed to reporters that the representatives of the four countries did not attend the meeting. "These delegations were not present. It is their decision," she said.

Murmokaite also criticized the Russian authorities saying they only pay attention to the human rights violations committed by Kiev’s forces. The diplomat said that the violations were also reported in the areas controlled by armed groups in eastern Ukraine and also in Crimea.

The meeting was held under the so-called "Arria-formula" that allows the Security Council members to exchange views in a private order with the participation of persons invited by the organizers, including civil society representatives.

In early March, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said that Moscow would not discuss as part of the Security Council the issue of Crimea, which is the federal subject of Russia. He reminded that the recent opinion poll conducted by a German institute showed that 93% of citizens of the peninsula said they supported the reunification with Russia.

"We don’t need to prove anything," the diplomat said.

Crimea and Sevastopol adopted declarations of independence on March 11, 2014. They held a referendum on March 16, 2014, in which 96.77% of Crimeans and 95.6% of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. President Vladimir Putin signed the reunification deals March 18, 2014.

Yemen asks UN Security Council to back military operation against Houthi rebels — Reuters

Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, currently staying in the seaport city Aden, southern Yemen, is recognized as the president at the international level

LONDON, March 25. /TASS/. Yemen’s authorities have asked the UN Security Council to support the military operation in the country aimed at ousting Houthi rebels, Reuters quoted the letter of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi on Tuesday.

Hadi asked the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution authorizing "willing countries that wish to help Yemen to provide immediate support for the legitimate authority by all means and measures to protect Yemen and deter the Houthi aggression."

Since August 2014, Yemen has been hit by a severe political and security crisis. In late January, the armed groups of Ansar Allah forced the president and the government to announce resignation.

UN Security Council condemns rebels in Yemen and expresses support to legitimate president
US marines destroy weapons before leaving US embassy in Yemen

The rebels later took control of the country’s capital and several northern provinces. They also announced the adoption of the so-called constitutional declaration.

Currently, Hadi stays in the seaport city Aden, in southern Yemen. He continues de facto accomplishing the duties of the president and is recognized as the president at the international level. The capital Sana is now under the control of the rebels.

UNSC, Gulf States Hope for Results on Draft Resolution on Yemen by Monday

UN Security Council's president for April Dina Kawar said that the Council hopes to achieve results on the planned Gulf Cooperation Council's draft resolution on the situation in Yemen by Monday.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – The UN Security Council hopes to achieve results on the planned Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) draft resolution on the situation in Yemen by Monday, the Council's president for April Dina Kawar said Saturday.

"We have arranged for meeting on the side between a few members of the Council and the GCC, we are working on that all day today. We hope that by Monday we can come up with something," Kawar said.

She said that the Council continued making efforts to reach a consensus on the steps to be taken in regard to the situation in Yemen.

Kawar said the current grave situation in Yemen, including dire humanitarian conditions, was caused by Houthi rebels operating in the country.

The Gulf countries intend to submit a draft resolution to support Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and to introduce an arms embargo on the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Yemen is being torn by a conflict between Houthi forces making advances in the country and troops loyal to Hadi, who fled the country amid escalating violence. A Saudi Arabia-led international coalition is currently conducting airstrikes on Houthi rebels' positions.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150404/1020486291.html#ixzz3WORDEA8I

Expansion of UN Security Council on agenda — Russia FM

India, Brazil, Nigeria, RSA...done deal.

Yemen Reconciliation Talks to Begin in Geneva Monday

The UN-mediated consultations on the Yemeni crisis reconciliation will begin in Geneva on Monday, June 15.

GENEVA (Sputnik) — Representatives of 18 Yemeni political forces that can be divided into two major groups: the supporters of President-in-exile Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and his main opponents, the members of the Shiite movement Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, and their allies will participate in the talks. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will open the consultations.

The relations between the sides to Yemeni crisis remain tense and, as the negotiators have refused to participate in a direct dialogue, the talks will be conducted via mediation of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

“To put it simple, there will be two rooms and the Special Envoy will be plying between them,” a source in the United Nations office in Geneva told RIA Novosti.

Yemen has been in a state of turmoil since 2014, when Houthi militants, the country's largest opposition group, captured the capital city of Sanaa, prompting the president and the government to flee the country.

Since late March, a Saudi Arabia-led coalition of countries has been conducting airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. In April, the coalition said it was halting its military operation, but airstrikes have continued.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150615/1023364099.html#ixzz3d8hBT4Bd

Houthi delegation arrives to Geneva for consultations on situation in Yemen — source

The UN press service said earlier that the organization’s peace envoy for Yemen will hold separate meetings with the conflicting parties with a hope to bring them to the negotiations table

GENEVA, June 16. /TASS/. The delegation of Houthi (Shia rebels, supporters of the Ansar Allah movement) and representatives of the former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh have arrived to Geneva to hold consultations about the situation in the country, a diplomatic source told TASS on Tuesday.

The UN press service said earlier that the organization’s peace envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed will hold separate meetings with the conflicting parties with a hope to bring them to the negotiations table. According to initial plans, consultations will continue for 2-3 days.

Situation in Yemen

Confrontation between Yemeni authorities and Shiite rebels — Houthis — became more intense in August 2014. In January 2015, the military wing of Houthis, Ansar Allah, captured the country’s capital Sanaa. Under pressure from rebels, President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the government led by Khaled Mahgouz Bahah resigned.

The Yemeni president was forced to move to Aden. After Houthis entered the city on March 25, he left the country.

Hadi called on Persian Gulf monarchies to interfere. On March 26, Saudi Arabia, supported by regional allies, launched an air operation against Houthis, codenamed Decisive Storm. Later it turned into another operation, Renewal of Hope.

According to the World Health Organization, as of June 12, the Yemeni conflict killed over 2,500 and left some 11,000 people wounded.

The holding of consultations on the situation in Yemen was initially scheduled to take place in Geneva May 28, but two days prior to the set date it was announced that they will be delayed "on a request from the government of Yemen and other participants of the process." In early June a spokesman for the UN chief announced that consultations will start June 14, but then they were postponed to June 15.

On Monday, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who started Geneva consultations on the situation in Yemen, called upon to break the way to end the conflict in the country.

Russia undecided on US proposed draft resolution on South Sudan

The US proposed a draft resolution on imposition of an arms embargo and expansion of sanctions against South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, August 20 /TASS/. Russia has its reservations concerning the US proposed draft resolution on imposition of an arms embargo and expansion of sanctions against South Sudan, Pyotr Ilyichev, Russia’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, told journalists on Thursday.

The Russian side is to receive the final instructions from Moscow on Friday.

"We have concerns, we have reservations. We need to study everything carefully because the resolution is complicated with many components," the diplomat said.

"We are supposed to receive the instructions tomorrow," Ilyichev stressed.

Under the US draft resolution distributed on Wednesday, the sanctions will become effective automatically as of September 1, if South Sudanese President Salva Kiir refuses to sign a peace agreement with the rebels and a ceasefire regime fails to come into force.

The Deputy of the state Duma proposed to move the headquarters of the United Nations in a neutral country

I agree 100%. Move the UN to a neutral country or just drop from it and do not recognize anything the UN does as legitimate.