envoy Archives - Page 2 of 3

‘Real challenges’ must be addressed beyond polling day, urges UN West Africa envoy

·July 26, 2023·1 min read

In his first briefing to the Security Council since being appointed to the position, Leonardo Santos Simaõ recalled elections in Benin, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He said they had “marked important steps towards democratic consolidation, offering opportunities for citizens to choose their leaders and representatives at...

Syria still mired in division, top UN envoy tells Security Council

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·July 25, 2023·2 min read

“I hope they will soon, because if not, it will be another missed opportunity to help the Syrian conflict to come to a negotiated end, at a time when the impact of the crisis is deepening,” Geir Pedersen said, briefing the Security Council. While there had been positive humanitarian gestures...

UN envoy points to progress towards peace in Colombia

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·July 13, 2023·2 min read

“Colombia is at a critical juncture, a crossroads at which the decisive will of parties and the support of the international community can come together to buttress embryonic peace processes,” said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, presenting his latest report. It shows that progress is being made across several sections of the...

UN envoy reports on progress towards Yemen peace agreement

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·May 17, 2023·3 min read

Ambassadors were briefed by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, who reported on his ongoing engagement with representatives from the internationally-recognized Government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and opposing Houthi rebels, as well as regional and international actors. Mr. Grundberg said he was encouraged by the positive and detailed...

UN Middle East envoy condemns deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

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·May 9, 2023·1 min read

“I am deeply alarmed by developments in Gaza after Israel launched a military operation this morning targeting members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement (PIJ),” said Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. The Israeli airstrikes inside Gaza resulted in the killing of 13 Palestinians, including...

Syria: UN envoy points to ‘important juncture’ in efforts towards peace

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·April 28, 2023·3 min read

“We are at a potentially important juncture, with renewed attention on Syria – particularly from the region – that could assist our efforts in advancing a political solution to this conflict”, he said. “But for this renewed attention to help unlock progress, many actors will need to take concrete steps...

Sudan envoy calls for ceasefire compliance, as concern mounts over West Darfur

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·April 27, 2023·3 min read

Volker Perthes, who is also head of UN Transition Assistance Mission UNITAMS, welcomed the lull in fighting in some parts of the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitaries from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), noting that “it is not being fully respected”. He called on both sides...

‘Unprecedented insecurity’ in Haiti requires urgent action: new UN envoy

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·April 27, 2023·4 min read

Gang violence is expanding at an alarming rate in areas previously considered relatively safe in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and outside the city, with a shocking increase in criminality and abuses, and a police force that is unable to handle the situation. At the same time, almost half the population, 5.2...

Yemen: UN envoy welcomes mass prisoner release, urges push for political solution to war

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·April 15, 2023·1 min read

“Nearly 900 conflict-related detainees are being released by the parties in Yemen starting today, Friday, and over the course of three days,” the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen said in a statement. “This release operation comes at a time of hope for Yemen as a...

Deadly Syria earthquake provides chance to move forward: UN envoy

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·March 24, 2023·4 min read

War-torn Syria and neighbouring Türkiye were rocked by twin earthquakes on 6 February, which killed more than 56,000 people and caused widespread destruction, displacing millions. “The situation today is so unprecedented that it calls for leadership, bold ideas and a cooperative spirit,” said Mr. Pedersen, speaking via videoconference from...

Local elections chance to advance peace in Central African Republic: UN envoy

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·February 22, 2023·2 min read

Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza reported on recent progress by the Government, including in election preparations and security sector reform. Political engagement with the leaders of armed groups remains essential and is starting to yield modest results, she added, pointing to the dissolution of four armed groups who were signatories to...

UN envoy ‘deeply alarmed’ over deaths of nine Palestinians in West Bank raid

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·January 27, 2023·1 min read

Tor Wennesland described the deaths – during an intense gun battle at a refugee camp in the city of Jenin – which included militants and reportedly, an elderly woman, as another “stark example” of the escalation in violence. The Israeli military said that troops were involved in an operation at...