A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally. USG DiCarlo on the situation in Lebanon: “Further escalation benefits no one” On 11 March, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council regarding the situation in Lebanon. She said the decision by Hizbullah to attack Israel on 2 March had drawn the country into a conflict it neither sought nor could afford. She said…
If Bunia Could Speak: When poetry becomes a space for healing and advocacy for peace
“If Bunia could speak, it will wake up with hope tomorrow. It will ask to stop bleeding. It will ask to breathe peace.” Inside the conference room of MONUSCO’s logistics base in Bunia, these words were spoken in a single voice. They did not come from one poet alone, but from a group of women — community mediators, women’s rights advocates, young leaders and female peacekeepers — gathered for a poetry workshop. The text they were reading had just…
Displaced families in Mundri live in limbo amidst persistent violence between armed forces
The usually quiet church compound in Mundri has turned in a bustling hub of activity with more than 4,000 people crowded together in makeshift shelters. These families have sought sanctuary at the site after being forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives during military confrontations between armed forces in Greater Mundri a few months ago. Thirty-eight-year-old Aida Stephen is among those struggling to support her family in dire…
UN Security Council extends UNAMA mandate for three months
On 16 March, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2818 (2026), extending UNAMA’s mandate for an additional three months.
Advancing women, peace and security
Members of the Libyan Women’s Caucus hold an online meeting with young women to capture perspectives and recommendations for the Structured Dialogue
TRIPOLI – In an online meeting on Monday 9 March, members of the Structured Dialogue’s (SD) Libyan Women’s Caucus met with around 30 young women from across the country to brief them on their work and hear their perspectives on key issues related to governance, economy, security, national reconciliation and human rights. Supporting effective participation of women of all ages and person with disability in the SD, and ensuring that their concerns…
An UNMISS- supported dialogue seeks to build social cohesion, counter hate speech
JONGLEI - “Information is the backbone of communication. When the public lacks accurate information, rumors and misinformation can quickly spread and create conflict.” This warning from civil society leader Bol Deng Bol reflects growing concern among community leaders in South Sudan’s Jonglei, where peace actors are intensifying efforts to counter hate speech and strengthen peaceful coexistence between communities. A dialogue supported by the…
New Special Protection Unit in Maridi boosts confidence in reporting violence against women
WESTERN EQUATORIA - A newly established Special Protection Unit (SPU) in Maridi a county in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, has had a tangible impact on increasing women’s protection. This confidential space for community members to report violence against women has led to a noticeable reduction in incidents over the past year. “After the Special Protection Unit was fully functioning, we have seen a distinct increase in reports related to…
In Bor, survivors of sexual violence and abduction finally find safety, support
JONGLEI – “I don’t want to return home. It will only remind me of what we have been through.” Nyakim’s * tragedy began with her husband being killed and her home being burnt down when armed actors attacked her village in northern Jonglei last month. But it didn’t stop there: she and her seven children were abducted by the perpetrators, alongside 22 other women and children. What followed can only be described as a seemingly never-ending nightmare…
Over 13 tons of food items donated for displaced people in Tyre
As part of UNIFIL’s continued efforts to support communities affected by ongoing exchanges of fire in south Lebanon, the mission’s Italian peacekeepers made substantial food donations to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Tyre last week. On 13 March, peacekeepers delivered more than 13 tons of packaged food items – in addition to essential medical kits, medicines and hygiene kits – to the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Union of Tyre…
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In Beirut, Guterres demands end to Middle East war and pays tribute to injured peacekeepers
The UN Secretary-General on Saturday called on the international community to intensify support for the Government and people of Lebanon, warning that the south of the country “risks being turned into a wasteland.” Speaking to reporters in the capital Beirut following two weeks of widespread destruction triggered by the US and Israeli bombing of Iran, António Guterres noted that Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel in support of Tehran had been…
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visits a Ghanaian peacekeeper in hospital serving with the UNIFIL mission who was injured after coming under fire during the renewed conflict in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL/Haidar Fahs
“Let’s say that I go into the forest to collect firewood and boys start touching me. I will know how to protect myself and get away from them safely,” says Therezone Steven, a Primary Seven pupil at Bentiu Primary School…
Malakal’s finest cyclists have taken to the streets in the first of many “rides for peace” aimed at encouraging climate action in the world’s youngest country. Led by ultra-cyclist and peacekeeper Lieutenant Colonel Srinivas…
Upon completion of a fourth session in Bentiu, a visiting mobile court had convicted eight people found guilty of rape, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and serious assault. “It is very good that there is a court dealing…
“Let’s say that I go into the forest to collect firewood and boys start touching me. I will know how to protect myself and get away from them safely,” says Therezone Steven, a Primary Seven pupil at Bentiu Primary School…
21 - 27 September 2019 This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that…
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed. The…
Mohamed Ibn Chambas: “Burkina Faso is one of the countries where, we, as a collective of development, humanitarian and peace actors, can, together with the Government, focus on preventing the current crisis from further…
Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Guinea-Bissau, Rosine, Sori-Coulibaly met with women from the country and the region at the III Round Table for Peace. “I am very happy to see that women are leading in this…
Elsie project team in Bir Lahlou The Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations (funded by the Canadian Government) has partnered with the United Nations to increase the presence and participation of civilian and…
The Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations (funded by the Canadian Government) has partnered with the United Nations to increase the presence and participation of civilian and uniformed women in peacekeeping…
The largest Albanian-Serbian and Serbian-Albanian dictionary ever created is now online. The 20,000-word dictionary was launched on 26 September, the European Day of Languages, by the Special-Representative to the Secretary…
The largest Albanian-Serbian and Serbian-Albanian dictionary ever created is now online. The 20,000-word dictionary was launched on 26 September, the European Day of Languages, by the Special-Representative to the Secretary…