Envoy highlights progress towards a new political landscape in Central Africa

Envoy highlights progress towards a new political landscape in Central Africa

But, briefing the Security Council, Abdou Abarry, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the region also warned that insecurity and humanitarian crises continue to plague nations.   Observers had reported Chad’s presidential elections in May took place “under good conditions”, albeit with some isolated incidents which had not compromised the conduct or credibility of the…

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UN envoy decries continued political stalemate in Libya

UN envoy decries continued political stalemate in Libya

The oil-rich nation has grappled with multiple challenges since the overthrow of President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The postponement of national elections, originally planned for December 2021, has further deepened the crisis. Last November, UN Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily invited leaders of Libya’s five key institutions – the Government of National Unity, the House of…

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Libyan leaders must put national interests above their own, top envoy tells Security Council

Libyan leaders must put national interests above their own, top envoy tells Security Council

Special Representative Abdoulaye Bathily told the Security Council that since the end of 2022, UN-led efforts to resolve Libya’s political crisis have encountered national and regional pushbacks, “revealing an intentional defiance to engage in earnest and a tenacity to perpetually delay elections”. “With a deep sense of disappointment, it is disheartening to witness individuals in…

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Yemen’s plight echoes broader Middle East crisis, says UN Envoy

Yemen’s plight echoes broader Middle East crisis, says UN Envoy

Hans Grundberg underscored the urgent need for de-escalation, warning of the perilous consequences of overlooking Yemen’s fragile stability amidst the broader regional crisis. “We cannot risk Yemen’s chance for peace, becoming collateral damage,” he told ambassadors at the UN Security Council. “If we leave Yemen’s political process in the waiting room and continue down this…

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UN envoy backs demand for immediate Gaza ceasefire amid ‘cataclysmic suffering’

UN envoy backs demand for immediate Gaza ceasefire amid ‘cataclysmic suffering’

The call by Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland followed Monday’s adoption by the Security Council of a resolution “demanding” an immediate ceasefire in the enclave for the remainder of Ramadan, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. However, intense hostilities have continued between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters, with reports of many killed overnight,…

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UN envoy calls again for removal of restrictions on Afghan women

UN envoy calls again for removal of restrictions on Afghan women

Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), said that recent arbitrary arrest of Afghan women for alleged Islamic dress code violations was having a chilling effect among the wider female population, “many of whom are now afraid to move in public,” she said. “The denial of women and…

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UN Syria envoy appeals for urgent de-escalation across the Middle East

UN Syria envoy appeals for urgent de-escalation across the Middle East

“Regional spillover is only the latest accelerant to a conflict that is growing in complexity and with each passing year. The situation is worsening on almost all indicators and the status quo is unsustainable and unmanageable,” he said. Airstrikes and casualties Multiple airstrikes attributed to Israel were carried out this month in Syria, including on…

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