Source The United Nations
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Media www.rajawalisiber.com – We have an update from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where violence against our peacekeeping mission is continuing to escalate.
At the MONUSCO Butembo base today, violent attackers snatched weapons from Congolese police and fired upon our uniformed personnel. Sadly, one military peacekeeper and two UN police personnel were killed and another was injured.
We add our voice to the Acting Head of MONUSCO, Khassim Diagne, to condemn the killing of our colleagues and to express our deepest sympathy to their families and colleagues.
Mr. Diagne has described the violence against the UN as “absolutely unacceptable” and “counterproductive” given that the mission is in the country to work alongside local authorities to protect civilians, deter armed groups, and build the capacity of state institutions and services. He called on Congolese authorities, civil society, and community groups to denounce the violence. “It is not in chaos and confusion or division that we will make progress towards stability and peace”, he said.
At least four incidents have targeted MONUSCO staff residences and other staff have now been relocated to camps. Earlier today, a mob tried to enter the premises of the UNDP compound in Goma but were repelled by security guards.
Hundreds of assailants have again attacked our bases in Goma as well as other parts of North Kivu province, fueled by hostile remarks and threats made by individuals and groups against the UN, particularly on social media. Mobs are throwing stones and petrol bombs, breaking into bases, looting and vandalizing, and setting facilities on fire.
The situation is very volatile and reinforcements are being mobilized. Our quick reaction forces are on high alert and have been advised to exercise maximum restraint, using tear gas to disperse protestors and only firing warning shots when UN personnel or property are under attack. Some assistance to protect facilities is being received from the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).
UKRAINE
Turning to Ukraine. Our colleagues tell us that yesterday we, along with our humanitarian partners, delivered 50 tons of relief supplies for 5,000 people to Stepnohirsk, close to the front lines in south-eastern Zaporizka oblast. The convoy contained life-saving supplies including medicine, food, blankets and other essentials. Some of the supplies will be sent to the neighbouring town of Prymorske, another settlement which is heavily affected by war.
While the new convoy will provide much-needed relief for people in the Government-controlled-areas of Zaporizka oblast, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, notes that humanitarians in the country are still unable to send supplies to areas that are not controlled by the Government. Yesterday’s convoy, for example, was supposed to reach the town of Polohy on the other side of the front line. Ongoing hostilities and lack of agreement with parties to the conflict prevented us from going there.
Ms. Lubrani emphasized that humanitarians will continue to work on delivering relief convoys to non-Government-controlled areas and the hardest-hit locations.
Meanwhile, hostilities continued to severely affect the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. In Odesa, for example, our humanitarian colleagues witnessed the missile attack on July 23rd that struck the port area. No casualties were reported. The southern city of Mykolaiv, where a large humanitarian aid warehouse was destroyed last week, and the eastern city of Kharkiv have been under daily attack in the past week. We continue to call on the parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as to allow for life-saving aid to reach the hardest-hit locations, including non-Government-controlled areas. This is critical to prevent further suffering.
MIDDLE EAST
Lynn Hastings, the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council this morning on the Israeli-Palestinian situation and said that we continue to witness concerning levels of violence against civilians, which exacerbates mistrust and undermines a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
She said that there is a growing sense of hopelessness among many Palestinians who see their prospects for statehood, sovereignty and a peaceful future slipping away. And she added that many Israelis also understand the perils of continuing along the current path. They see endless cycles of violence, the constant risk of escalation and the absence of prospects to end the conflict.
The Deputy Special Coordinator said that the tensions that have been mounting, particularly in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, amidst continued settlement activity and settler-related violence, must be addressed. However, she added, there is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict.
LIBYA
Martha Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, briefed the Security Council yesterday on Libya, calling the situation there “highly volatile”.
She said that despite progress achieved, the constitutional and political stalemate persists, prolonging the tense security environment, with an increased number of clashes in and around Tripoli. The economic situation remains dire, heightened by the politicization of the National Oil Corporation, she added.
Despite promising progress achieved, one outstanding issue prevented the finalization of the agreement in Geneva, Ms. Pobee said: The parties did not reach consensus on the question of eligibility requirements for presidential candidates. Special Advisor Stephanie Williams has remained in contact with the parties and urged them to bridge this gap.
MYANMAR
In a statement we issued yesterday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the executions carried out this weekend by the Myanmar military against four political activists in Myanmar and offered his condolences to their families.
As you know, the Secretary-General opposes the imposition of death penalty in all circumstances. The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
And Noeleen Heyzer, Special Envoy on Myanmar, is in Malaysia, where she met today with Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss the situation in Myanmar and the need for inclusive engagement and innovative solutions for the Rohingya in and outside of Myanmar. The Special Envoy emphasized that Malaysia – as a member of ASEAN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – has an important role to play in mobilizing an effective regional and international response.
ETHIOPIA
In Ethiopia, our humanitarian colleagues continue to provide critical assistance to millions of people affected by conflict and drought.
Some 3.8 million people in Tigray have received food assistance since convoys resumed in April, but distribution has been largely on hold since early July, due to lack of fuel. Likewise, distributing assistance within Tigray is also constrained by a lack of cash.
Last week, over 2,000 tons of fertilizer arrived in the Mekelle, with a further 5,000 tons sent to Afar. This falls short of the 60,000 tons that are needed to support the current planting season.
In Afar Region, we are witnessing alarming levels of malnutrition. Needs also remain high in the neighbouring Amhara region. Since late April, more than 2 million people have received food assistance in Amhara and Afar.
In western Ethiopia, ongoing conflict has caused displacement and damaged infrastructure and services. We and our partners are working to provide assistance, but the response is constrained by insecurity and lack of funding.
In addition, the country is experiencing one of the most severe droughts in the last 40 years. According to the World Food Programme, close to 10 million people now require food
assistance in drought-affected areas.
The crippling drought is also causing a hunger crisis in Kenya and Somalia. In Somalia, over 200,000 people are in catastrophic food insecurity, and there is a reasonable chance of famine in 17 districts if crop and livestock production fail, food prices continue to rise, and humanitarian assistance is not sustained to reach the most vulnerable populations.
COLOMBIA
The UN Human Rights Office today released a report which says that the rising levels of violence perpetrated by non-State armed groups and criminal organizations in rural areas of Colombia are having a devastating impact in vulnerable populations, including human rights defenders.
Last year, the UN Human Rights Office in Colombia verified the killing of 100 human rights defenders. Between 1 January and 30 June this year, the Office received information on 114 killings of human rights defenders, of which 22 cases have been verified so far.
The report urges the incoming Government, which takes office next month, to prioritize tackling this violence. It also sets out a series of recommendations for the authorities to implement urgently to protect the lives and human rights of those affected.