TRIPOLI – Members of the Structured Dialogue’s National Reconciliation and Human Rights Track concluded their third round of in-person meetings in Tripoli on Thursday. The discussions focused on transitional justice, accountability for past violations, abuses, strengthening trust in state institutions and their role in advancing national reconciliation. Members reviewed existing initiatives and legislation, examining how to strengthen them to…
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Barrie Freeman, concluded today her visit to Banjul, The Gambia, where she participated in a two-day high-level workshop on “Strengthening Security and Stabilization in Sahel and West Africa: Bridging Good Governance, Regional Cooperation, and Multilateral Responses.” During the workshop, Ms. Freeman contributed to a panel discussion on “Regional and…
YAMBIO - Esther John Hayat is hard to miss on the Yambio airstrip. Driving a candy-red fire truck across the tarmac, dressed in a hard hat and a fireproof suit, she cuts a striking figure. But it’s not just the uniform and vehicle that draws attention, it’s the fact she’s the only woman in the entire state of Western Equatoria doing this job. Her day begins at 6:00 am with meticulous equipment checks of the hoses, water cannons, fire…
A brief roundup of United Nations political and peacebuilding events and developments globally. ASG Khiari warns of escalating fighting and rising civilian toll in Ukraine On 20 April, Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, briefed the Security Council on developments in Ukraine. He noted that a temporary Easter truce announced from 11 to 12 April was not respected, with…
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, arrived in Goma on Friday, April 24, 2026, as part of his first field visit to the eastern part of the country since taking office and which started on 20 April with Beni. This visit comes amid persistent security challenges and ceasefire monitoring responsibilities for MONUSCO. Upon his arrival at Goma…
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held a round of meetings this week with Lebanese political, security and religious representatives. In exercising her good offices role, the Special Coordinator discussed with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam ongoing efforts to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and advance stability in Lebanon. Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert also met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces…
New analysis underscores urgent need for coordinated responses to protect civilians. Bogotá, Colombia – 15 April 2026. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Colombia has launched a new technical paper titled “Uncrewed Aircraft Systems with Explosive Payloads: Emerging Threats and Challenges for Colombia”, highlighting the growing humanitarian risks associated with the use of weaponized drones by non-state armed groups. Presented…
WAU – In 2016, clashes between armed forces caused almost 40,000 people to flee Wau town in search of a safe haven. By 2020, many had resettled in other parts of the country while about 10,000 former residents remained in the Naivasha protection site, established by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and partners. Since then, the site has undergone various changes regarding protection mandates and different partner organizations providing…
YAMBIO – Victoria* gazes lovingly at the upturned face of the four-month-old infant lying on her lap. She brushes her palm gently across his forehead and giggles as the baby coos and gurgles and kicks his tiny legs in the air. She leans back and smiles, her eyes glinting with pride, revelling in the newfound joy of motherhood. Just shy of 19, her smile and calm demeanour conceal the many horrors that she’s battled. And survived. Abducted by an…
As a Naval Officer, Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye learned first-hand the value of teamwork and the importance of listening to her colleagues and seeking to promote the welfare of all her shipmates. The Commodore, the…
NEW YORK - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, today briefed the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan. Read the Security Council briefing by SRSG Lyons Read the Secretary…
Under the Malakal sun, one can easily become dehydrated. Indian peacekeepers made the life of this particular donkey a lot better. Ines Surwumwe/UNMISS On Saturday mornings, one particular place in Upper Nile State’s capital…
UPPER NILE - On Saturday mornings, one particular place in Upper Nile State’s capital Malakal draws a motley crew . Sheep, goats, hens, horses, donkeys, dogs, bovine beauties and, usually, their owners, all flock here in what…
2 March 2022 - The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, met yesterday with Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Grundberg briefed the President on his latest efforts and next…
For twenty years, Radio Okapi has been informing women and men in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Created on February 25, 2002, the Radio for Peace gradually became a success story. Its creation coincided with the…
On Friday 18 February, when the MONUSCO delegation arrived at the Beni Children's Custodial Institution (EGE) at around 10am, the children in custody there were a little overexcited, because it was sports day. All of them…
The United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) handed over Financial Management and Human Resources residual liquidation activities to Regional Service Center in Entebbe (RSCE) on Monday 28th February. On 22…
By António Guterres As the world moves ahead to mark International Women’s Day, the clock on women’s rights is moving backwards. All of us are paying the price. The cascading crises of recent years have highlighted how women…
UNPOL officers serving with UNMISS, in partnership with administrators from Western Equatoria's prisons system, held a two-day workshop for prison officials on upholding human rights of inmates as well as gender sensitivity…
About 100 stakeholders attended a cattle migration conference in Cueibet County organized by UNMISS to address intercommunal conflicts in the area. Photos: James Mawien Manyuol/UNMISS LAKES STATE- What to do when the…
The land of more than two hectares, located on a hillside in the village of Kangbayi, in the commune of Beu, is entirely enclosed by a stone wall erected by MONUSCO. Photo MONUSCO/Sy Koumbo On Friday 18 February, when the…