This Week in DPPA: 12 - 18 October 2024

On Mogadishu visit, USG DiCarlo reaffirms UN support for Somalia

On a two-day visit to Somalia this week, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo reaffirmed the UN's support for the country’s peace- and state-building. “The UN has been a longstanding partner to Somalia and remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Somali government and its people,” she said. “Together, we aim to build on the commendable achievements and priorities agreed upon to address key development challenges facing the country – we stand ready to work alongside the Federal Government of Somalia to accomplish this,” she added. The Under-Secretary-General is now in Addis Ababa, where, in addition to holding talks with Ethiopian officials, she will accompany the Secretary-General to the annual UN-African Union meeting. 

Yemenis "continue to yearn and work for peace," Special Envoy tells Security Council

On 15 October, Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, told the Security Council that "Yemen and its people are already feeling the impact of this escalating regional conflict." He went on to note that "Yemenis continue to yearn and work for peace after more than nine years of conflict, which has ravaged the country, displaced millions, separated families, and shattered the economy." He called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, "including 17 United Nations personnel—four of whom are women and one of whom is from my own team," emphasizing he was "counting on the support of this Council in sending this clear message,."

Supporting Colombia's peace process "a unique opportunity" for the UN, says SRSG Massieu

On 15 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu detailed progress as the 2016 peace agreement approached its eighth anniversary. He underscored that much work remained to be done, including by tackling the complex security situation in several regions of the country, where signatories to the Final Agreement continued to be the target of violence by armed actors fighting for territorial control. He also voiced his concern over the stalemate in talks between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), which led to the expiration of their bilateral ceasefire in August, and affirmed the Mission’s readiness to support negotiations. “Supporting Colombia’s peace process is a privilege and a unique opportunity for the United Nations,” he stressed.

Security Council extends Haiti sanctions regime

On 18 October, the Security Council adopted a resolution to extend the Haiti sanctions regime for an additional 12 months (the text will be issued as resolution 2752 (2024)). The vote was unanimous.

Peacebuilding Commission and African Union Peace and Security Council hold 7th annual discussion on peace and stability challenges in Africa