Security Council Votes to Set up UN Peacekeeping Force in Darfur

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Security Council Votes to Set up UN Peacekeeping Force in Darfur UN News Centre Page 1 of 2 Security Council votes to set up UN peacekeeping force in Darfur 31 August 2006 – The Security Council agreed today to deploy a United Nations peacekeeping force of more than 17,000 troops in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region by the end of the year to try to end the spiralling violence and displacement there that has led senior UN officials to warn of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe. Twelve Council members voted in favour of a resolution to expand the mandate of the existing UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from southern Sudan to cover Darfur as well. China, Russia and Qatar abstained in the vote. Resolution 1706 “invites the consent” of the Sudanese Government to the deployment, although Khartoum has said on several occasions that it is opposed to any kind of UN force taking over the role of the African Union’s (AU) current operation – known by the acronym AMIS – in Darfur. Under the resolution, UNMIS will have up to 17,300 additional troops and as many as 3,300 civilian police officers, and must take over AMIS’ duties by no later than 31 December. Before AMIS hands over to the expanded UNMIS, the UN has been authorized to provide air, engineering, logistics, communications and other support to AMIS. After the vote in the Council, Ambassador John Bolton of the United States, one of the sponsors of the resolution, said it was imperative to act now to stop the violence, where scores of thousands of people have been killed and 2 million others forced to flee their homes since 2003. “We cannot afford to delay,” he stressed, asserting that every day lost only extended the genocide in the remote and impoverished region on Sudan’s western flank. Earlier this week Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland warned the Council that “a man-made catastrophe of an unprecedented scale” looms within weeks unless the Council acts immediately. Mr. Egeland said “we could see hundreds of thousands of deaths” if aid operations – already at grave risk because of rising numbers of attacks against individual workers, dramatically reduced access to those in need, and massive funding shortfalls – collapse. Ambassador Wang Guangya of China said that while his country concurred that UN troops should take over the work of AMIS as soon as possible, the timing of the vote and the fact that the resolution did not specify “with the consent of” the Sudanese Government meant they had to abstain. The resolution was adopted as Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a letter he had sent to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir endorsing the creation of a UN force in Darfur and calling for continuing discussions with Khartoum on this issue. In the letter, Mr. Annan voiced concern that the Sudanese Government’s own formal plan to restore stability to Darfur and protect civilians there does not provide for the transition from an AU force to a UN operation. He said only an impartial peacekeeping force like the proposed UNMIS expansion would have the http://www.un.org/apps/news/printnews.asp?nid=19685 05/09/2006 UN News Centre Page 2 of 2 resources and capacity to effectively support the implemention of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), which was signed by the Government and some of the region’s rebel groups in May. Mr. Annan also expressed alarm over the recent deployment of large numbers of Sudanese troops in Darfur, which Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi told the Council earlier this month was an apparent sign that the Government is determined to pursue a major military offensive there soon. In a separate development, UNMIS issued a statement today in Khartoum deploring the murder of an aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The driver was killed following a hijacking in North Darfur state. The man’s death brings to 12 the number of aid workers who have been killed in Darfur this year – almost all of them in the past two months. UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Manuel da Silva said he was especially concerned that aid workers are being attacked while they are attempting to help people suffering in Darfur. “The UN calls upon everyone in Darfur to recognize the neutrality of all humanitarian staff, and the vital work that they are doing, and to ensure their safety,” he said. http://www.un.org/apps/news/printnews.asp?nid=19685 05/09/2006.
Recommended publications
  • World Chronicle PROGRAMME: Year in Review Special Recorded 23 December 2005 GUEST: Stéphane Dujarric Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General
    Not an official UN document. For information purposes only. UNITED NATIONS World Chronicle PROGRAMME: Year in Review Special recorded 23 December 2005 GUEST: Stéphane Dujarric Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General MODERATOR: Tony Jenkins “The UN’s 60th year: auspicious, or just very difficult?” A sixtieth birthday is an auspicious occasion in some countries. In Korea it marks a full circle of life, so that in reaching 60 you complete one circle, and start a new one – in a different direction. Can the same be said for the 60th year of the United Nations? Are there signs of a new beginning? Has it been an auspicious year for the UN or just a horrible one? These are some of the questions explored with Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, in this special episode of World Chronicle. WORLD CHRONICLE is produced by the News & Media Division, Department of Public Information, United Nations, New York, NY 10017, U.S.A. Duration: 28:00" Executive Producer: Michele Zaccheo Director: Dave Woodie Production Assistant: Devi Palanivelu ANNOUNCER: From the United Nations in New York, an interview programme on major global issues. This is World Chronicle. And here is the host of today’s World Chronicle. Page 2 JENKINS: Hello, I’m Tony Jenkins. A sixtieth birthday is an auspicious occasion in some countries. In Korea it marks a full circle of life, so that in reaching 60 you complete one circle, and start a new one – in a different direction. Can the same be said for the 60th year of the United Nations? Are there signs of a new beginning? Has it been an auspicious year for the UN – or just a horrible one? That’s what we’ll be talking about later in the show with today’s guest.
    [Show full text]
  • International House Times
    INTERNATIONAL HOUSE Fall-Winter TIMES 2005 The Newsletter for Friends & Alumni of International House Jan Egeland is 2005 Alumnus of the Year Spring Gala is May 9, House Honors U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Rockefeller to Keynote 75th Anniversary Events teven C. Rockefeller, grandson of an Egeland, United Nations Under-Secretary- International House founder, John Alumni, residents, and friends are General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency D. Rockefeller, Jr., will give the celebrating I-House’s birthday at events JRelief Coordinator, was honored as International S keynote address at the 75th Anniversary planned throughout 2005-2006. For House Alumnus of the Year at an October luncheon Celebration and Awards Gala on May 9, upcoming events, send us your email held at the U.N. “Living in International House 2006. An emeritus professor of religion address on the RSVP panel on page 7 or was like living in the United Nations without the visit http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/alumni. at Middlebury College, he coordinated bureaucracy,” said Mr. Egeland. “Every single day led the drafting of the Earth Charter for the to new friendships with engaging students and scholars Earth Charter Commission and chairs the Sunday Supper from all over the world. My year as a Fulbright fellow Rockefeller Brothers Fund. June 11, 2005 at Berkeley, living in I-House, was my most liberating, Alumni and residents happiest and social year ever.” enjoyed a program The annual gala is the biggest fundraiser Jan Egeland (left) and 75th Anniversary featuring speakers of the year. For more information, Acknowledged worldwide for his passionate leadership Campaign Chair Peter Robertson at the from every decade.
    [Show full text]
  • Arria-Formula Meetings, 1992-2019
    Arria-Formula Meetings, 1992-2019 This table has been jointly compiled by Sam Daws and Loraine Sievers, as co-authors of The Procedure of the UN Security Council, and the staff of Security Council Report. The support extended by the Security Council Affairs Division in the compilation of the list is hereby recognised and greatly appreciated. ARRIA-FORMULA MEETINGS, 1992-2019 DATE SUBJECT/DOCUMENT IN WHICH INVITEE(S) ORGANISER(S) THE MEETING WAS MENTIONED Mar. 1992 Bosnia and Herzegovina; S/1999/286; Fra Jozo Zovko (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Venezuela ST/PSCA/1/Add.12 18 Dec. 1992 Persecution of Shiite ‘Marsh Arabs’ M.P. Emma Nicholson (UK) Venezuela, Hungary in Iraq 3 Mar. 1993 Bosnia and Herzegovina Alija Izetbegović, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina 24 Mar. 1993 Former Yugoslavia David Owen and Cyrus Vance, Co-Chairs of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia 15 Apr. 1993 South Africa Richard Goldstone, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry regarding Venezuela the Prevention of Public Violence and Intimidation in South Africa 25 June 1993 Bosnia and Herzegovina Contact Group of the Organization of the Islamic Conference 12 Aug. 1993 Bosnia and Herzegovina Organization of the Islamic Conference ministerial mission 6 Sept. 1993 Bosnia and Herzegovina Alija Izetbegović, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina 28 Sept. 1993 Croatia Permanent Representative of Croatia 2 Mar. 1994 Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze, President of Georgia Czech Republic 18 Mar. 1994 Croatia Franjo Tudjman, President of Croatia 11 Apr. 1994 Bosnia and Herzegovina Vice President of Bosnia and Herzegovina 26 May 1994 Central America Alfredo Cristiani, President of El Salvador 6 July 1994 Haiti Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic 17 Nov.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 140/ 30 March 2016
    Syrian Crisis United Nations Response A Weekly Update from the UN Department of Public Information No. 140/ 30 March 2016 Secretary-General appeals for greater global solidarity with Syrian refugees Speaking at a UNHCR conference on Syrian refugees on 30 March in Geneva, the Secretary-General called for an “exponential increase in global solidarity”. “Today, I ask that countries act with solidarity, in the name of our shared humanity, by pledging new and additional pathways for the admission of Syrian refugees. These pathways can include resettlement or humanitarian admission, family reunions, as well as labour or study opportunities”, Mr. Ban said. UNHCR is trying to get at least 480,000 Syrian refugees to resettle or find another form of admission in a third country. “The world must step up, with concrete actions and pledges. All countries can do more,” the Secretary-General stressed. http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=9572 Humanitarian situation remains dire in many besieged areas, warns UN Emergency Relief Coordinator UN humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien told the Security Council on 30 March that while there has been recent progress on humanitarian access, the UN continues to face daily obstacles to reach those in need across Syria. ”Many of the 4.6 million people in need in besieged and hard-to-reach areas still remain outside our reach due to insecurity and obstructions by the parties. Even where we receive responses, these are often not approved”, Mr. O’Brien said. “In 2016 so far, we have only reached some 30 per cent of people in besieged areas and less than 10 per cent of people in hard-to-reach areas”, he added, stressing that the humanitarian situation in many of those areas remains critical.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 113 – 24 September 2015
    Syrian Crisis United Nations Response A Weekly Update from the UN Department of Public Information No. 113/24 September 2015 UNHCR welcomes additional support to refugees, calls for fast implementation In a statement issued on 24 September, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, welcomed the announcement by the European Council to significantly increase resources for humanitarian assistance in countries neighbouring Syria, as well as the decision to relocate an additional 120,000 people. "The relocation plan will not put an end to the problem, but it hopefully will be the beginning of a solution," said High Commissioner António Guterres, calling for a quick implementation of the programme. UNHCR also welcomed the announcement of new funding for refugees in first countries of asylum. UNHCR urged, however, a substantial and rapid increase in legal opportunities for refugees to access the European Union, including enhanced resettlement and humanitarian admission, family reunification, private sponsorship, and humanitarian and student visas. The UN refugee agency has stepped up its operations in countries affected by the refugee flows and is ready to fully support all measures by the EU and Member States in effectively responding to the present crisis. http://www.unhcr.org/5603af5c6.html Special Envoy meets heads of intra-Syrian thematic working groups The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, along with his deputy, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, said on 22 September they had met the two previous days with the facilitators appointed by the Secretary-General to head the intra-Syrian thematic working groups. “The Working Groups are intended to provide Syrians with a platform to address in- depth themes that are certainly not new, but have lacked to date sustained intra-Syrian discussion.
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting Civilians in the Context of UN Peacekeeping Operations
    About this publication Since 1999, an increasing number of United Nations peacekeeping missions have been expressly mandated to protect civilians. However, they continue to struggle to turn that ambition into reality on the ground. This independent study examines the drafting, interpretation, and implementation of such mandates over the last 10 years and takes stock of the successes and setbacks faced in this endeavor. It contains insights and recommendations for the entire range of United Nations protection actors, including the Security Council, troop and police contributing countries, the Secretariat, and the peacekeeping operations implementing protection of civilians mandates. Protecting Civilians in the Context Protecting Civilians in the Context the Context in Civilians Protecting This independent study was jointly commissioned by the Department of Peace keeping Opera- Operations Peacekeeping UN of tions and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations. of UN Peacekeeping Operations Front cover images (left to right): Spine images (top to bottom): The UN Security Council considers the issue of the pro­ A member of the Indian battalion of MONUC on patrol, 2008. Successes, Setbacks and Remaining Challenges tection of civilians in armed conflict, 2009. © UN Photo/Marie Frechon. © UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz). Members of the Argentine battalion of the United Nations Two Indonesian members of the African Union–United Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) assist an elderly Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol as woman, 2008. © UN Photo/Logan Abassi. women queue to receive medical treatment, 2009. © UN Photo/Olivier Chassot. Back cover images (left to right): Language: ENGLISH A woman and a child in Haiti receive emergency rations Sales #: E.10.III.M.1 from the UN World Food Programme, 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Stage Presents the Winner of the 2017 Tony Award for Best Play
    NORTHERN STAGE PRESENTS THE WINNER OF THE 2017 TONY AWARD FOR BEST PLAY ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT J.T. Rogers is a multiple award-winning, internationally recognized American playwright who lives in New York. His plays include Oslo, Blood and Gifts, The ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Overwhelming, White People, and Madagascar. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ In May 2017, Rogers won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Play, and the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Play, all for Oslo. Oslo was nominated for ​ ​ seven 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Play, as well as two 2017 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play. It ultimately won the Tony Award for Best Play and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. In 2017, Oslo also won the ​ Obie Award for Best New American Theatre Work. “As a playwright, I look to tell stories that are framed against great political rupture. I am obsessed with putting characters onstage who struggle with, and against, cascading world events — and who are changed forever through that struggle. While journalism sharpens our minds, the theater can expand our sense of what it means to be human. It is where we can come together in a communal space to hear ideas that grip us, surprise us — even infuriate us — as we learn of things we didn’t know. For me, that is a deeply, thrillingly, political act.” TERMS TO KNOW ● PLO: Palestine Liberation Organization. The PLO represents the world’s Palestinians (Arabs who lived in Palestine before the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel).
    [Show full text]
  • Children of Syria a UNICEF Update a New Life and a New Challenge for Safa Skin, Which Doctors in Za’Atari Are Working Carefully to Remove
    23 January 2014 Children of Syria A UNICEF update A new life and a new challenge for Safa skin, which doctors in Za’atari are working carefully to remove. “Even small sounds make her scared and she hides,” says Ahmed. “All of the girls are living in constant fear.” Thanks to the NGO Handicap International, Safa now has a wheelchair, receives regular physical therapy sessions and has been measured for a prosthesis. Every morning Ahmed walks his daughters to one of the UNICEF schools in Za’atari. Safa and her twin sister Marwa are in grade one and ©UNICEF/Jordan-2013/Noorani their teacher Miss Abeer makes sure Ahmed walks two of his daughters, six-year-old Safa and nine-year old Aya, to school in the Safa is treated like all of the other Za’atari refugee camp in northern Jordan. students. By Melanie Sharpe trees, and took her to a hospital in In the afternoon they go to a UNICEF- rural Damascus. When Fatima and ZA’ATARI, Jordan – When the supported child friendly space run by Ahmed arrived, they learned their farmhouse that Fatima, Ahmed and daughter had been gravely injured our partner Save the Children, where their six daughters (aged 2-10) were and would lose her right leg. children play, socialize and receive sheltering in was attacked, each went psychosocial support. “I’m not with any side. What’s the to grab three of their girls and run for fault of our daughters? They’re not Safa says she likes going to the child their lives.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 224/6 December 2017
    Syrian Crisis United Nations Response A Weekly Update from the UN Department of Public Information No. 224/6 December 2017 Eighth round of intra-Syrian talks resumed following brief recess On 5 December, the UN Spokesperson announced that the eighth round of intra Syrian talks resumed that afternoon with a meeting between Staffan de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy, and the delegation of the Syrian National Council. The spokesperson added that on the humanitarian front, the UN is deeply concerned for the well being and protection of civilians in Raqqa city and surrounding areas where 34,000 people have reportedly returned. He said that there continue to be reports of explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices resulting in casualties daily. Raqqa city reportedly also urgently requires food, water and other assistance. Humanitarian partners remain unable to access the city until the clearing of mines and other unexploded ordnance is completed. www.un.org/press/en/2017/db171205.doc.htm UN Special Envoy for Syria releases paper on the 12 Living Intra-Syrian Essential Principles The Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, on 30 November released a paper on the 12 Living Intra-Syrian Essential Principles, which was distributed to delegations in parallel meetings. A statement issued by his office said that these are points of commonalities regarding the end-state of Syria, which were last shared with the parties in a version offered for their consideration by the Special Envoy during round 4 of the talks. Since that time, the Special Envoy had received valuable proposals regarding the content of the 12 points from the government and the opposition, and he and his team had consulted painstakingly and carefully on all material received.
    [Show full text]
  • To Stay and Deliver Good Practice for Humanitarians in Complex Security Environments
    Policy and Studies Series 2011 TO STAY AND DELIVER Good practice for humanitarians in complex security environments To Stay and Deliver Good practice for humanitarians in complex security environments Jan Egeland, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Adele Harmer and Abby Stoddard, Humanitarian Outcomes Independent study commissioned by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) To Stay and Deliver: Good practice for humanitarians in complex security environments iiii This study was made possible through funding provided by Australia, Brazil, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. © United Nations 2011. This publication enjoys copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. No portion of this publication may be reproduced for sale of mass publication without the express and written consent from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)/Policy Development and Studies Branch (PDSB). This report is also available on the following websites: OCHA (http://ochaonline.un.org); Reliefweb (www.reliefweb.int); Humanitarian Outcomes (www.humanitarianoutcomes.org); Norwegian Institute of International Affairs: (www.nupi.no/) For more information, please contact: Policy Development and Studies Branch (PDSB) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +1 917 367 4263 To Stay and Deliver: Good practice for humanitarians in complex security environments iiiiii Contents Authors .......................................................................................v
    [Show full text]
  • List of Questions Raised During the Webinar
    WEBINAR QUESTIONS Despite the efforts of the panellists, several questions remained unanswered. Listing them here gives a sense of the many challenges that would need to be further discussed in order to seek and identify adapted solutions. For the sake of transparency, we are also listing the written answers that were provided during the Webinar. FULL LIST OF QUESTIONS RAISED DURING THE WEBINAR. Questions raised were categorized in 3: 1/general questions, 2/specific thematic questions, 3/context specific questions General Questions 1. Before COVID19 we were deeply looking into finding mechanisms to operationalize the Nexus on the ground. Is it still relevant to continue the efforts towards this goal? Is there an institutional priority to see the Nexus as a programmatic solution to the COVID19 global prevention and response? Answer (Michael Köhler): Yes, this is being done. DEVCO is actually transferring more than 90 million Euros from its budget lines to ECHO for COVID-related implementation. ECHO is truly thankful for that. 2. Nexus is about supporting institutions and civil society local organisations not necessary providing money to the big INGO's which will forget their solidarity when the momentum will come. We should question what would be the role of INGOs and UN in the Nexus. Technical assistance, community support, monitoring and referral. Nexus in C19 should support social protection mechanisms, access to labour and access to food and agriculture. Answer : Nexus is first and foremost a programming method and a way of coordinating action on the ground. It must involve all implementing actors. Thank you and agreed for the clarification on of the scope of Nexus but the role of each actors should be clearer which is not the case and provides lots of confusion.
    [Show full text]
  • Few Aid Groups Able to Stay in War Zones
    PRESS RELEASE 22 June 2017 Few aid groups able to stay in war zones Many aid organisations wish to stay and deliver in insecure contexts with great needs, but there are still too few organisations able to manage the risks linked to serve vulnerable communities in the midst of conflict and chaos, according to a new report released today. “It is our duty as aid workers to work where needs are greatest. But our international humanitarian community is failing too many people in too many places from Syria and Yemen to South Sudan and Nigeria. Extreme risks and threats are paralysing too many organisations and their ability to deliver aid and save lives,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Egeland led the research team for the 2011 landmark To Stay and Deliver study on how humanitarian organisations could strive to provide aid in highly insecure environments. Five years later, NRC, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and Jindal School of International Affairs have examined progress in responding to issues raised in the 2011 report. According to the new report - Presence and Proximity: To Stay and Deliver, Five Years On - the changing nature of conflicts, attacks against aid workers and a lack of dedicated funding and risk management capacity have prevented an increase in the number of organisations being physically present in the most dangerous flashpoints in the world. “Courageous aid workers continue to respond every day to people’s most urgent needs on the frontlines in many of the world’s most violent crises,” said Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien.
    [Show full text]