8 - 14 February 2020
This Week in DPPAis a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
East Africa
DPPA Chief attends African Union Summit and visits Sudan
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo accompanied Secretary-General António Guterres to the 2020 African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Ms. DiCarlo also had bilateral meetings in Ethiopia, including with President Sahle-Work Zewde on 10 February. She applauded the Ethiopian government’s reform agenda led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. On 11 February, she met Minister of Peace Muferiat Kamil to discuss peacebuilding initiatives involving youth and women. Ms. DiCarlo pledged UN backing and encouraged partner support.
Also on 11 February, the United Nations-African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security held its 18th consultative meeting at AU Headquarters. The JTF reviewed the status of the UN-AU partnership and the implementation of the Joint Framework. Representatives included Commissioners Minata Samaté-Cessouma and Smaïl Chergui, and Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and Hanna Tetteh.
Read more on UNOAU’s website
Ms. DiCarlo continued to Khartoum, Sudan, for meetings on the Sudanese transition to democracy. She met Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on 12 February and with women and youth groups instrumental in the transition. “The economic and social challenges at hand are enormous. Sudan requires urgent international support,” Ms. DiCarlo said via Twitter.
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Security Council
Guterres: “This is a time for dialogue, for reconciliation, for reason”
An open briefing on the Israel–Palestine conflict was held on 11 February, following the announcement of a controversial peace plan. “This is a time for dialogue, for reconciliation, for reason,” Secretary-General António Guterres said in his introductory remarks. Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Council.
Read Nickolay Mladenov’s full remarks
Read more in UN News
Children have “no role in conflict”
On 12 February, the Secretary-General called for greater protection of children in armed conflict and unveiled Practical guidance for mediators. The Policy and Mediation Division of DPPA contributed to the guidance.
Read more in UN News
Open debate on transitional justice
The Security Council held an open debate on transitional justice on 13 February. Father Francisco de Roux, President of the Colombian Truth Commission, briefed the Council, emphasizing truth as the foundation for reconciliation. Miroslav Jen_a expressed admiration for his work.
Read more in UN News
“The people of Guinea-Bissau deserve a clear and positive closure”
Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, Special Representative and Head of UNIOGBIS, briefed the Security Council on 14 February on Guinea-Bissau’s situation. Presidential elections were held last year, but a new President has not been sworn in yet. “The people of Guinea-Bissau deserve a clear and positive closure,” she said.
Watch her briefing
Read more in UN News
New York
Meeting on youth, peace and security
The Peacebuilding Commission held an Ambassadorial-level meeting on youth, peace and security to explore ways of implementing Security Council resolution 2250 (2015). Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Envoy on Youth, briefed the meeting. Youth representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, and Sierra Leone shared experiences.
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Somalia
Somalia and the UN sign accord to strengthen efforts to preserve culture and improve education
Somalia and UNESCO signed an agreement to preserve cultural heritage and improve education. “Culture and education are vital for the country’s future,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. James Swan, Special Representative and Head of UNSOM, witnessed the signing.
Read more on UNSOM’s website
West Africa
Workshop on the resolution of farmer-herder conflicts in Abuja
UNOWAS and ECOWAS organized a workshop on best practices for resolving and preventing farmer-herder conflicts in West Africa and the Sahel, held in Abuja on 10–11 February. The workshop supports peaceful coexistence between farming and herding communities.
Read the study
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