Tag Archives: security

UN Police ‘indispensable’ to fulfilling peacekeeping mandates, Security Council hears

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Jean-Pierre Lacroix was speaking in the UN Security Council during the annual briefing by heads of police components of UN peace operations. 

“Despite severe constraints, our police personnel continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and courage,” he said. 

“They operate in environments of persistent insecurity, political volatility and growing operational risks.” 

Key to peacekeeping  

Peace operations depend on UN Police (UNPOL) for community engagement, institutional reform and prevention of criminal and intercommunal violence.  

Officers also address challenges that require a policing response, including in environments with high density populations such as displacement camps, among other duties. 

“United Nations Police remain a key component of UN peacekeeping and play an indispensable role in fulfilling our mandates,” Mr. Lacroix said.  

He stressed that Member States, host countries, uniformed and civilian personnel all share responsibility for ensuring the success of peacekeeping.  

This is particularly the case at a time when multilateralism faces unprecedented pressures and peace operations are being asked to do more with less. 

Reform and reductions 

He noted that the Council meeting was taking place as a comprehensive review of UN peace operations enters its final phase. 

It was also held against the backdrop of the UN80 reform initiative and mission contingency planning due to the severe liquidity crisis affecting the entire UN system.   

This has led to cost saving measures, including reductions in civilian staff and repatriation of military and police personnel. 

Sustainable financing critical 

The peacekeeping chief visited some of the UN’s biggest field missions in recent months and saw how these measures have affected mandate delivery, including protection of civilians. 

“Efficiency is necessary. We are committed to finding ways to save. However, this efficiency drive cannot substitute for predictable and sustainable financing,” he said. 

“As the Secretary-General has emphasized repeatedly, peacekeeping’s ability to fulfill its mandates will be severely compromised without the full and timely payment of assessed contributions from Member States.” 

Action for Peacekeeping 

Mr. Lacroix also highlighted the renewed Action for Peacekeeping (A4P+) initiative which remains the framework for strengthening the effectiveness, safety, and impact of peace operations. 

The seven priority areas include upholding political solutions as the core of sustainable peace, strengthening strategic and operational integration, investing in capabilities and mindsets, and deepening cooperation with host-State police and other law enforcement agencies.  

“Across all these priorities, the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains central,” he said. 

Although progress has been made in increasing women’s participation and leadership in UNPOL, it “remains fragile, particularly in the context of budget cuts.”   

Pledges of support 

He recalled that the 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Berlin demonstrated renewed political commitment to peacekeeping.   

The event saw record participation and meaningful pledges, including for specialised roles, rapid deployment and training.  

“The pledges are essential to ensuring that UN Police are prepared to respond to emerging threats in areas like transnational organized crime, cyber-enabled crime, climate-related insecurity, and the misuse of new technologies,” he said. 

Renewed commitment 

Mr. Lacroix concluded by saying his briefing was an opportunity not only to take stock of progress, but to renew collective commitment. 

“We must ensure that mandates are matched with adequate resources. We must sustain political unity around peacekeeping,” he said. 

“We must protect the institutional gains achieved under A4P+.And we must equip United Nations Police to meet the demands of tomorrow.” 

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World News in Brief: Children at risk in South Sudan, Balochistan attacks, summit backs boost for undersea cable security

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Clashes in Jonglei state since the start of 2026 have displaced at least 250,000 people, mainly in the north and centre of the state, cutting families off from lifesaving care in areas already suffering some of the highest malnutrition rates in the country.

Deadly risks

“We are extremely concerned for women and children impacted by these violent clashes,” said UNICEF Country Representative Noala Skinner. “A malnourished child without treatment is 12 times more likely to die.”

Access for aid agencies remains severely constrained, with restrictions on river, road and air travel. Six counties in Jonglei are already at, or close to, running out of therapeutic food, while 17 health facilities nationwide have closed due to conflict. 

UNICEF has also recorded 10 incidents of looting of health and nutrition supplies.

Despite the challenges, UNICEF said it is responding, delivering water purification equipment amid cholera concerns and sending malaria treatments, emergency health kits and therapeutic food to reach more than 10,000 people.

UNICEF condemns killing and injury of children in Balochistan attacks

UNICEF has expressed grave concern over reports that children were among those killed and injured during a wave of violent attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan last weekend.

“Children cannot be targets nor collateral damage, and their lives must always be protected,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside, extending condolences to the families and communities affected. 

She warned that the escalation of violence is spreading fear, with children and families “bearing the heaviest burden”.

The attacks, which took place on 31 January, were also strongly condemned by the UN Security Council. 

In a press statement released on Tuesday, Council members described the incidents as “heinous and cowardly” acts of terrorism that left 48 people dead, including 31 civilians. 

Council expresses ‘deepest sympathy’

Civilian casualties reportedly included five women and three children. The so-called Balochistan Liberation Army separatist group has claimed responsibility. 

A senior local official told reporters that 145 members of the banned group had subsequently been killed by security forces.

The Council expressed its deepest sympathy to the victims’ families and to the Government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a full recovery. 

Global summit backs stronger protection for submarine cables

Governments and industry leaders from more than 70 countries have reaffirmed the need to protect submarine cables that carry the vast majority of the world’s digital traffic.

Meeting in Porto, Portugal, at the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026, participants adopted a declaration and recommendations aimed at strengthening cooperation to safeguard the global network of around 500 cables stretching more than 1.7 million kilometres.

Read our explainer on the summit and what’s at stake, here.

“When it comes to critical digital infrastructure like submarine cables, resilience is both an end-to-end imperative and a shared responsibility,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, welcoming commitments to improve repair times, readiness and investment.

‘Meaningful impact’

The summit highlighted the importance of protecting connectivity for remote and underserved regions, which are particularly vulnerable to cable disruptions.

“I firmly believe [the advisory body] is already delivering concrete and meaningful impact,” said ANACOM Chairwoman Prof. Sandra Maximiano, noting the risks faced by countries and island communities with limited capacity to respond to outages.

The Porto meeting followed the inaugural summit in Abuja, Nigeria, as momentum builds for global action to protect what many experts see as the backbone of the digital economy.

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World News in Brief: IOM warning for Sudan returnees, Nipah virus alert for India, food security in Afghanistan

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They did so despite extensive damage to housing, basic services, vital infrastructure, and an uncertain future. 

The highest number of returns were recorded in Khartoum State, where more than 1.3 million people have made the journey home, followed by nearby Aj Jazirah State, according to IOM’s latest data.

Pockets of security

IOM says the number of returnees is rising, signaling pockets of perceived relative security in parts of the country. 

Overall, 83 per cent of returnees had been internally displaced, while 17 per cent returned from neighbouring countries, including Egypt, South Sudan, and Libya, as well as from the Gulf States. 

However, across areas in Darfur and Kordofan where violence continues to escalate, increased displacement has been recorded.

IOM warns that without adequate resources and renewed efforts toward peace, millions of families will remain trapped in protracted displacement and instability.

WHO: India on alert with two cases of Nipah virus in January

India has confirmed two cases of the sometimes-fatal Nipah virus this month in the eastern state of West Bengal, according to an update by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

This is the seventh documented Nipah outbreak in India and the third in West Bengal, following outbreaks in 2001 and 2007.

The infected individuals are a male and a female nurse working at the same private hospital. As of last week, the male patient is recovering, while the female patient remains in critical condition.

Nipah is a virus transmitted mainly from bats to humans, sometimes through contaminated food or close contact. It can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans, and in some cases between people.

Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis.

Low transmission risk

 Historically, Nipah outbreaks in the WHO Southeast Asia Region have been limited to Bangladesh and India, occurring sporadically or in small clusters. There have been no known instances of international spread through travel.

WHO says India has demonstrated its capacity to manage previous outbreaks well and public health measures are currently being implemented.

As of 27 January, no additional cases have been detected. The national government has deployed an outbreak response team to West Bengal to work closely with state authorities.

For Nipah, no licensed vaccine or treatment is currently available, making early detection and prevention essential.

$100 Million initiative launched to strengthen food security in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, the UN food agency (FAO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are implementing a $100 million initiative to bolster food and nutrition security and restore agricultural livelihoods for more than one million vulnerable people over the next two years.

Backbone of the economy

Although agriculture remains the backbone of Afghanistan’s rural economy, it continues to face challenges such as low productivity, restricted market opportunities, and repeated natural disasters. 

The project will reach over 151,000 households – that’s just over a million people – including returnees, host communities, and disaster-affected families. 

With millions of Afghans already facing mounting pressures and at risk of slipping into deeper acute food insecurity and malnutrition, there is an urgent need for sustained investment that goes beyond emergency response to strengthen long-term resilience.

In 2026, 17.4 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity, including 4.7 million classified as being in the emergency phase – just one away from famine conditions. 

FAO has supported about 5.6 million people since 2022. 

Through its partnership with ADB, millions more rural households will gain the tools and resources needed to produce food, safeguard livestock, and secure their families’ nutrition.

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Yemen: Security Council votes on final extension of Hudaydah Mission

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Resolution 2813 (2026), submitted by the United Kingdom, received 13 votes in favour and none against. Two countries – China and Russia – abstained. 

It calls for the effective, efficient and safe drawdown of the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA), as well as planning and preparation for transitioning any residual functions to the Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen. 

Liquidation will commence on 1 April. 

Tireless efforts 

UNMHA was established by the Council in 2019 to support implementation of an agreement signed by the Yemeni Government and Houthi rebels in Stockholm, Sweden, the previous year. 

The UN brokered the accord at a time when a battle over Hudaydah – critical for the entry of food and medicine into war-ravaged Yemen – appeared imminent.  

UK Deputy Permanent Representative Archie Young welcomed the mandate extension.  

He also thanked “those UNMHA officials who have worked tirelessly since 2019, especially in the face of continued Houthi restrictions which inhibited the Mission’s ability to fulfill its mandate.” 

Concern for UN personnel 

He stressed that the safety of UN personnel in Yemen “remains of the utmost importance” and reiterated the UK’s condemnation of arbitrary detentions by the Houthis. 

The rebel movement which controls much of the country, including the capital, is holding 69 UN staff, alongside personnel from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and diplomatic missions.  

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, his Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and other senior officials have repeatedly called for their immediate and unconditional release. 

Important stabilising role 

Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva explained why Moscow abstained from voting. 

“We did not block the adoption of this resolution purely due to the request of representatives of Yemen, as the host state, as well as from some of our regional partners,” she said. 

“In principle, we do not agree with the idea set out by the authors of this document:  the idea that UNMHA is ineffective and incapable of duly fulfilling the mandate entrusted to it by the Council, hence the need to sunset the Mission.”  

She said the Mission “has played and continues to play an important stabilising role on the ground, notwithstanding the operational difficulties linked to implementation of its mandate, which arise from time to time.”  

Among its “still relevant functions” are monitoring implementation of the Stockholm Agreement; facilitating maintenance of the civilian nature of the ports of Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Isa, and oversight of mine clearance operations.  

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Limited access restored to Syria’s Al Hol camp amid security concerns

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Briefing reporters in New York, Farhan Haq said the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, was able to access the camp on Friday together with Syrian Government officials and establish contact with some residents. Essential supplies have also resumed.

Al Hol is one of the region’s largest displacement sites, housing tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, many with alleged family links to ISIL terrorist fighters.

UN agencies have long warned of dire humanitarian conditions there, including overcrowding, poor access to healthcare, water and sanitation, and persistent protection and security risks, while repeatedly urging durable solutions, including safe returns, reintegration and repatriation in line with international law.

“Trucks carrying bread entered the camp today, facilitated by UNHCR, following a three-day interruption caused by the volatile security situation inside the camp,” Mr. Haq said, adding that water trucks reached the camp on Thursday, helping to partially restore access to basic services for the camp population.

Al Hol camp, located in Syria’s northeast, hosts tens of thousands of people, including internally displaced Syrians and family members of suspected former fighters.

UN agencies have long warned that insecurity, overcrowding and limited services leave residents – many of them women and children – in extremely vulnerable conditions.

UN agencies and aid partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Syrian authorities in delivering humanitarian assistance, while underscoring the critical need to ensure security inside the camp.

They also highlighted the importance of facilitating the movement of personnel and supplies between Al-Hasakeh and Qamishli.

Concerns in Aleppo

Beyond Al Hol, the situation in Kobani, in Aleppo Governorate, remains concerning.

According to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, all roads connecting to the city are currently closed, while disruptions to electricity, water and internet services are hampering access to basic needs.

Partners have begun reporting shortages of food, essential items and medicines, although health facilities remain operational, Mr. Haq said.

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Sudan: Atrocities ‘repeated town by town’, ICC prosecutor tells UN Security Council

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Briefing ambassadors, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the situation in Darfur had “darkened even further,” with civilians subjected to what she described as collective torture amid a widening war between Sudan’s rival military forces.

“The picture that is emerging is appalling: organised, widespread, mass criminality including mass executions,” Ms. Khan said. “Atrocities are used as a tool to assert control.”

Epicentre of ‘profound suffering’

Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between former allies the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces militia (RSF).

What began as a power struggle metastasised into conflicts across the country, most devastating in the Darfur region, which also saw longstanding ethnic tensions – which prompted allegations of genocide in the early 2000s – being reignited.

She said the fall of North Darfur’s regional capital El Fasher to the RSF had been followed by a “calculated campaign of the most profound suffering,” particularly targeting non-Arab communities.

The crimes, she said, include rape, arbitrary detention, executions and the creation of mass graves, often filmed and celebrated by perpetrators.

Nazhat Shameem Khan (on screen), Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), briefs the Security Council.

Fighters ‘celebrating executions’

Based on video, audio and satellite evidence collected, the ICC Prosecutor has concluded that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in El Fasher, particularly in late October, following a prolonged RSF siege of the city. 

Ms. Khan said video footage showed patterns similar to those documented in earlier atrocities in Darfur, including the detention, mistreatment and killing of civilians from non-Arab tribes.

“Members of the RSF are seen celebrating direct executions and subsequently desecrating corpses,” she said.

El Geneina investigations

The Office of the Prosecutor is also advancing investigations into crimes committed in El Geneina, where witnesses have provided accounts of attacks on displacement camps, looting, gender-based violence and crimes against children.

In 2023, El Geneina witnessed some of the worst violence of the war as RSF fighters and allied militias carried out massacres against the Massalit community, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee into neighbouring Chad.

UN officials and human rights investigators described the violence as ethnically motivated and warned of possible crimes against humanity.

Evidence now indicates that the patterns of atrocities seen in El Geneina have since been replicated in El Fasher, Ms. Khan said.

“This criminality is being repeated in town after town in Darfur,” she warned. “It will continue until this conflict, and the sense of impunity that fuels it, are stopped.”

A school in El Geneina in West Darfur State, which had been serving as a displaced persons shelter, is burned to the ground. (file)

Rape as a weapon of war

Sexual violence, including rape, is being used as a weapon of war, Ms. Khan said, adding that gender-based crimes remain a priority for ICC investigations. She acknowledged cultural and security barriers that prevent survivors from reporting abuse, stressing the need for gender-sensitive and survivor-centred investigations.

While much of the briefing focused on RSF abuses, the Deputy Prosecutor said the ICC was also documenting allegations of crimes committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), underscoring that all parties to the conflict are bound by international law to protect civilians.

Impunity overshadows progress

Ms. Khan cited the conviction last October of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, known as Ali Kushayb – a former Janjaweed militia leader – as a landmark step toward accountability, but cautioned that the scale of ongoing atrocities far outweighed any sense of progress.

She closed with a pointed call on Sudanese authorities to act against senior suspects long sought by the Court, including former president Omar al-Bashir, former interior minister Ahmad Harun and former defence minister Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein.

“Action must now be taken,” she said, warning that justice for Darfur’s victims would remain hollow without arrests at the highest level.

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Security Council to meet following Russia’s violation of Polish airspace, as concern mounts over drone warfare

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The meeting was requested by Poland after reporting that at least 19 violations by Russian drones of its territory overnight into Wednesday during a large-scale missile and drone strike against Ukraine.

The episode marked the most serious such incursion since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  

While Poland and its NATO allies reportedly downed several of the drones, the incident has heightened tensions across the region – and put the new threats posed by drone warfare at the heart of diplomatic debate.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said the strikes were aimed at Ukraine’s military-industrial targets and that it did not intend drones to stray across the border.

UN political chief to brief

UN’s political official, Rosemary DiCarlo, is expected to brief ambassadors. Poland’s deputy foreign minister will attend, alongside regional states and the European Union.

The incident has raised deep concern over spillover of the conflict in Ukraine.

Stay with UN News as we bring you live coverage of the meeting…

Rise of the drone

The reported incursion into Polish airspace highlights the growing role of drones in modern conflict.

Relatively inexpensive and easy to deploy, drones are increasingly supplementing – and in some cases supplanting – conventional military hardware.  

Armies, armed groups and militias worldwide are rapidly adapting to their use, allowing for strikes and reconnaissance with lower risk to personnel.

However, malfunctions, loss of control and human error can lead to unintended strikes or impacts – especially when they’re deployed in towns and cities as opposed to the battlefield.

Analysts also say drones blur the line between traditional military operations and asymmetric warfare, raising the risk of unintended escalation across borders.

Read more in our explainer, here.

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SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: NATO allies rally round Poland in face of Russian incursion, as drone warfare takes centre stage

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The Security Council is meeting in emergency session at Poland’s request at 3pm in New York, after some 19 Russian drones violated their and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) airspace earlier this week. It marked the most serious incursion into NATO territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began – and highlights the extent to which drone technology has reshaped tactics, logistics and strategy in wars worldwide. Follow the live coverage of the debate around the iconic horseshoe table below.

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SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Push for peace in Ukraine could rapidly fade if large-scale Russian attacks continue

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The UN Security Council met in emergency session in New York on Friday afternoon following overnight strikes early on Thursday by Russia on Ukrainian cities including the capital, which left at least 23 dead, including four children. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča told ambassadors that diplomatic momentum towards a possible peace deal was “at risk of rapidly fading” if large-scale attacks by Moscow continue. Follow our live meetings coverage below. 

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Security Council: UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon extended for a ‘final time’

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But the resolution stipulates it will then begin a one year “orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal of its personnel”, in close consultation with the Lebanese Government.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established by the Security Council in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the south and has played an important role in monitoring security in southern Lebanon ever since.

The mission’s ‘blue helmets’ are mandated to implement resolution 1701 which brought an end to hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in 2006.

Since the formal end of fighting between the two sides last November which devastated areas of southern Lebanon, UNIFIL has been supporting the national army’s (LAF) mission to establish full control of the south – but Israel continues to have a presence in violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

Continuing role during drawdown

During the withdrawal period after the end of next year, the resolution says UNIFIL is authorised to continue providing security and assistance to UN personnel, while continuing to “maintain situational awareness” around UNIFIL outposts and bases.

It will also “contribute to the protection of civilians and the safe civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance.”

Furthermore, the resolution calls on the Secretary-General to present options by 1 June next year for the future implementation of resolution 1701 to establish a permanent end to fighting between Israel and militants in Lebanon.

Negotiations went down to the wire this week, with the United States acting Permanent Representative telling Thursday’s meeting it was already time for Lebanese forces to assume greater responsibility, without UN peacekeepers.

Penholder France led negotiations over the mandate, and their representative told ambassadors that UNIFIL’s ongoing efforts were vital: “Any premature withdrawal could undermine or even weaken the efforts of the Lebanese Government” in the south, he said.

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SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Haiti ‘shamefully overlooked’, warns Guterres

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Haitians are enduring a “perfect storm of suffering” the UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday as gang violence continues to paralyse daily life across the island. Around 1.3 million people – half of them children – have fled their homes and six million are relying on humanitarian assistance. Follow our live Meetings Coverage as the latest crisis debate unfolds.

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UN peacekeeping mandate in Lebanon faces scrutiny ahead of Security Council vote

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As members of the UN Security Council negotiate the renewal of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ahead of a 31 August deadline, the mission’s future role and capacity are under intense debate.

UNIFIL has long been a stabilising presence in southern Lebanon, working alongside the Lebanese armed forces, mediating between parties, and supporting local communities.

A key part of its mandate is to implement Security Council resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah militants.

Yet challenges remain, from Israeli military positions inside Lebanon to Hezbollah’s arsenal and the broader question of how resolution 1701 – which calls for a complete end to hostilities – can be fully implemented.

According to media reports, last-ditch negotiations are underway over the mission’s future, with some diplomats warning of risks to border stability and others voicing tepid support or pressing for full withdrawal.

Earlier this week, Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for UNIFIL, sat down with UN News’s Nancy Sarkis to discuss the mission’s effectiveness, the risks of a non-renewal, and what is at stake for Lebanon, Israel, and regional stability.

UNIFIL peacekeepers on patrol (file)

This interview has been edited for clarity

UN News: UNIFIL’s mandate, which expires at the end of August, needs to be renewed by the UN Security Council. Why is this renewal important, and how do you assess UNIFIL’s effectiveness so far?

Andrea Tenenti: The renewal comes after a long crisis that has devastated the region and destroyed most of the areas close to the Blue Line. It would show the importance of maintaining an international peacekeeping operation to assist the Lebanese army [Lebanese Armed Forces, or LAF] in their full deployment.

That’s what we have been doing from the very beginning, and in the last several months since November, after the cessation of hostilities, the LAF has brought more troops to the south, and we have been working with them in being deployed in all these positions, although the real challenge at the moment is that we still have Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] positions present in the south of the country.

UN News: To what extent are the Lebanese armed forces ready to assume full responsibility in southern Lebanon without the support of peacekeepers, and what challenges do they face in doing so?

Andrea Tenenti: Right now, the Lebanese army don’t have the capacities and capabilities to be fully deployed. There is a financial crisis in the country, and they need capacity and capability support from UNIFIL, and the financial support of the international community to have a sustainable presence and to bring State authority to the south.

The Lebanese army and authorities have demonstrated their full commitment to resolution 1701. However, they cannot be fully deployed if the IDF are still present; the presence of the IDF in the south is a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and resolution 1701. There needs to be commitment from both sides.

UN News: If the UNIFIL mandate is not renewed, what are the potential consequences for regional stability?

Andrea Tenenti: The situation is much better than before, but very, very fragile. Anything could jeopardise the situation in the south. A lack of renewal would create a real vacuum for stability of the region. It would create a very dangerous precedent and situation for the stability of the country, and it would make impartial monitoring very difficult.

UN News: UNIFIL has faced criticism from Lebanon, Israel, and internationally. How do you respond to these criticisms, and what step can be taken to strengthen trust and credibility?

Andrea Tenenti: Criticism goes with the job of any peacekeeping mission. In order to be impartial, staying in the middle and trying to assist the parties in the implementation of the mission’s mandate, you will be criticised by both sides.

Sometimes, the criticism is driven by a misconception of the mission’s mandate. For example, resolution 1701 does not call for UNIFIL to disarm Hezbollah. This is not our mandate. We are to support the Lebanese army to do it, and that’s what we are doing right now.

On the Lebanese side, we have been criticised for patrolling without the Lebanese army, but as part of 1701 we are tasked to operate either with the Lebanese army or independently.

This is something that the Lebanese army and Lebanese authorities know very well. Sometimes it’s a matter of disinformation and misinformation about the role of the mission, and we are trying to counter that as much as we can.

UN News: What is your vision for UNIFIL’s role in the coming years, and do you see it as a short-term necessity or as a part of a long-term regional security framework?

Andrea Tenenti: At the moment, UNIFIL is very much needed to support the stability of the region, bring back the Lebanese army to the south – and return State authority that has been not present for a very long time. But it has to be a south free from occupation – that’s the only way to move forward.

The goal of the mission has always been to leave and hand over all our capabilities and tasks to the Lebanese authorities, but a lot needs to be done. To ensure stability in the region, we have to be pragmatic on the timetable.

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DR Congo: Rising insecurity in the east impedes diplomatic progress, Security Council hears

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Despite diplomatic progress in recent months, with the United States brokering a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, and Qatar facilitating a Declaration of Principles between the Congolese Government and M23 rebels, tensions remain high in the eastern DRC – where multiple armed groups operate.  

The Security Council has also sought to promote peace in the restive region, notably through its adoption of resolution 2773 in February 2025 calling upon all parties to refrain from violence against civilians. Still, casualties continue to rise in the east of the country.

“In North Kivu, the situation has escalated significantly since April,” Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations told ambassadors.  

The DRC is currently facing one of the most acute humanitarian emergencies in the world, with food insecurity on the rise and 5.9 million Congolese currently internally displaced.  

Significant escalation

“Regrettably, the evolution of the security situation on the ground has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front,” said Ms Pobee.  

Recent attacks carried out by the M23 and Congo River Alliance (AFC) armed groups, as well as assaults by the Allied Democratic Forces – a militia associated with the terrorist group ISIL – have dramatically increased civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers continue to risk their lives to provide limited assistance to populations in need.  

Amid general indifference, conflict-related sexual violence persists, as does the forced recruitment of children. 

‘Critical juncture’

“We cannot and must not accept the extreme suffering and recurrent horrors that are commonplace in eastern DRC,” said Ms Pobee.  

To protect civilians, restore law and order, and address the profound humanitarian needs of the population, the parties must cease hostilities.  

“At this critical juncture for the DRC and the region, it is crucial that this Council place its full weight behind current peace efforts, alongside exerting its influence to ensure respect for and compliance with resolution 2773”, she told the Security Council.  

While the situation on the ground remains dire, genuine engagement by the parties, together with concerted support from the international community, will help lay the groundwork for a durable peace, the top official underlined. 

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Libya: Security Council urged to back popular ‘yearning’ for national elections

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Hannah Tetteh, who also heads the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), briefed ambassadors in the wake of municipal council elections last week and outlined a proposed roadmap to general elections, which should have been held way back in 2021.

“The Libyan people look to this esteemed Council for help, to ensure a solution to the crisis and support a political process that will result in elections and unified institutions not a succession of transitional governments,” she said.

Voting and disruptions

Nearly 15 years after the fall of former President Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains split between two rival administrations:  the internationally recognised Government of National Unity, located in the western capital of Tripoli, and the rival Government of National Stability based in Benghazi in the east.

This past Saturday, 26 municipalities successfully held elections despite significant challenges.  Ms. Tetteh commended the electoral management body HNEC and urged all candidates to accept the results.

She regretted that not all municipalities that were expected to take part were able to do so, with the government in the east giving instructions to suspend electoral processes in 16 municipalities. Additionally, voting materials were withdrawn from centres across the region and the south.

Efforts to disrupt the vote also occurred in some municipalities in the west, where HNEC offices in three cities were set on fire or attacked, although the vote went ahead in two of them. 

‘A clear signal’

“By the end of polling day, voter turnout was 71 per cent. This is a clear signal that the Libyan people are yearning to elect their representatives. In some areas, this was the first time any elections have happened since 2014,” she said.

However, the suspension of elections in the east and south “is an equally clear sign that not all are committed to supporting Libya’s democratic development and there is an urgent need for a reset in the political process,” she added.

In February, UNSMIL established an Advisory Committee to provide recommendations for resolving outstanding issues that have prevented national elections from taking place.

A report was presented in May, and the Mission has been holding nationwide consultations on the outcomes. It has also conducted an online survey for people to share their opinions on the recommendations, with more than 22,500 responses. 

“The message we clearly received was the desire to stop the cycles of repeated transitional periods; preserve and strengthen the unity of the country and its institutions; as well as to renew their legitimacy through presidential and legislative elections; and end what was frequently referenced as foreign interference,” Ms. Tetteh told the Council.

Roadmap to elections

Based on the Advisory Committee’s recommendations, the feedback from the population, and lessons learned from the failure to hold the 2021 elections, “we are convinced that the political process should focus on guaranteeing general elections and the unification of institutions through a sequenced approach,” she said.

Ms. Tetteh proposed a roadmap built around three core pillars: implementation of “a technically sound and politically viable electoral framework” towards holding the elections; unifying institutions through a new unified government, and a structured dialogue to address critical issues in order to create a conducive environment for the polls.

She estimated it would take 12 to 18 months to complete the roadmap, which will end in general elections and several “sequential steps”, including enhancing HNEC capacity as well as amending the legal and constitutional frameworks for holding full elections – legislative and presidential. 

“Following these two prior steps – which could be concluded over the next two months at most if there were the political will to do so – there should be agreement on a new unified government, capable of creating a conducive environment for credible elections while managing key governance functions effectively,” she said.

Security concerns

Ms. Tetteh reported on developments on other fronts, including the volatile security situation, with increasing militarisation of all sides.

She noted that the situation in Tripoli remains of great concern, following clashes in May.  While a fragile truce is holding, violations have occurred, though no escalations.

UNSMIL also documented 20 deaths in custody since March 2024, including political activist Abdel Munim Al-Maremi who died last month in Tripoli shortly after a release order had reportedly been issued. 

“These cases are the latest examples of a widespread and persistent pattern of grave violations perpetrated across the country with impunity, including against migrants and refugees, in some cases fueled by disinformation and hate speech,” she said.

Ms. Tetteh was also alarmed by the forced return of migrants to conflict zones, including Sudan. She noted that Sudanese refugees in Kufra exceeds the number of residents, urging donors to step up support. 

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Terror threat posed by ISIL ‘remains volatile and complex,’ Security Council hears

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While multiple Da’esh leaders have perished in the past few years, “the group has managed to retain its operational capacity”, Vladimir Voronkov, head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) told the Security Council Wednesday.  

Da’esh makes use of regional and domestic affiliates and continues to receive substantial global donations, operating through regional hubs and cross-border financial networks.  

The threat the extremist group poses is notably exacerbated in Africa’s Sahel region, where ISIL affiliates such as Islamic State West Africa Province have emerged as prolific producers of terrorist propaganda, which continues to attract foreign recruits.

 Despite significant national and international efforts to counter Da’esh – which rose to prominence in 2014 after taking over large swathes of Iraq and Syria – the continuing threat posed, underscores the urgency of sustained global cooperation.  

Security gaps

In Afghanistan, ISIL-Khorasan continues to represent one of the most serious threats to Central Asia and beyond, with the group continuing to target civilians, while exploiting discontent with the de facto authorities in the country.  

Meanwhile, Da’esh remains active in Iraq and Iraq – despite the military defeats in Mosul and Raqqa in 2017 – attempting to restore its operational capacity in the Badia region and renewing efforts to destabilise local authorities.

In Syria, where the situation remains fragile since the takeover led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, ISIL continues to exploit security gaps, conduct covert operations and incite sectarian tensions in the country.  

Detention camps

“The security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the camps and other facilities in the northeast of Syria remains deeply concerning,” said Mr. Voronkov.  

Camps such as al-Hol are currently hosting tens of thousands of individuals, primarily women and children – many with alleged ties to ISIL – who remain in prolonged detention under unsafe and undignified conditions.

These environments present serious risks of radicalisation to terrorism and are contrary to obligations under international law,” he said.  

Mr. Voronkov called for the “safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of all concerned individuals, with a particular focus on children.”  

New technology

“There is a marked increase in the interlinkage of diverse methods and the integration of digital technologies with conventional techniques,” Elisa de Anda Madrazo, President of close UN-partner the Financial Action Task Force, told ambassadors.  

The use of new and emerging technologies and artificial intelligence by Da’esh remains a growing challenge, notably as the group is increasingly employing these tools to raise funds and establish a broader communications network.  

“As we stand at the crossroads of technological transformation and geopolitical uncertainty, the threat of terrorism is more diffuse and complex,” said Nathalia Gherman, head of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

Prevention still best cure

“Prevention remains our best response to terrorism and violent extremism conducive terrorism,” said Mr. Voronkov.

He emphasised the importance of prioritising long-term, principled responses that tackle the drivers of terrorism and its enabling conditions.

“It is more effective – and cost efficient – to prevent terrorism than to remedy its impact,” he said. 

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South Sudanese ‘are counting on us’, top UN official tells Security Council

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Referencing the recent quarterly report from the Secretary-General on challenges facing the world’s youngest nation, Ms. Pobee underscored that since March, previous gains in the peace process have been largely eroded.

Military offensives, primarily involving South Sudan’s rival militia which answers to the First Vice President and Government troops loyal to the President, have continued, and trust in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement between the two has been undermined.

Murithi Mutiga, another briefer from the International Crisis Group, explained that the 2018 agreement required President Salva Kiir to work in concord with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar; thus, the agreement was effectively terminated when President Kiir placed the former Vice President under house arrest on 26 March.

Humanitarian crisis

Ms. Pobee highlighted that recent military offensives have resulted in deaths, displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Furthermore, the displacement crisis is a two-way street, Mr. Murtiga explained: the devastating civil war in neighbouring Sudan has driven 1.2 million refugees into South Sudan, straining already-limited resources.

The conflict in Sudan has also disrupted oil flows to the military Government-controlled Port Sudan and the broader market, causing South Sudan to lose most of its valuable oil revenues.

Mr. Murtiga also underscored that this is one of South Sudan’s worst humanitarian crises since independence in 2011, with 9.3 million in need of dire assistance and 7.7 million suffering food insecurity, including 83,000 at risk of catastrophic conditions, all while brutal sexual violence is on the rise.

And funding cuts are leaving millions without lifesaving assistance, Ms. Pobee emphasised. Halfway through 2025, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 28.5 per cent funded.

Additionally, challenges to humanitarian access are growing with increased instances of aid workers being attacked, as poor infrastructure and administrative obstacles impede relief efforts.

Call to act

The UN, African Union, regional intergovernmental development body, IGAD, and many others in the international community, have repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue without any concrete response from the warring parties.

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, addresses the Security Council meeting on Sudan and South Sudan.

“While government officials have publicly expressed their commitment to elections by December 2026, the Parties must take steps to return to dialogue and make the necessary decisions to move the country forward. Declarations of commitment are not enough,” Ms. Pobee stressed.

She urged the Security Council to call on all actors and stakeholders to uphold the peace agreement. If they fail to lay the groundwork for peaceful, credible elections in December 2026, the risk of a relapse into violence will rise significantly amid growing regional instability.

It is the shared responsibility of the international community to work with the South Sudanese parties to avoid such a failure, she stressed. “The people of South Sudan are counting on us.”

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Security Council rejects creation of rival government in Sudan

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In a statement issued on Wednesday, Council members said the step posed “a direct threat to Sudan’s territorial integrity” and could fragment the country, fuel the fighting, and deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Ambassadors reaffirmed “unwavering” support for Sudan’s sovereignty, independence and unity, stressing that unilateral actions that undermine these principles jeopardise not only Sudan’s future but also peace and stability across the wider region.

The Council called on the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces to return to talks aimed at reaching a lasting ceasefire and creating the conditions for a political settlement involving all political and social groups.

The goal, they said, is a credible, inclusive transition to a civilian-led government that can lead the country towards democratic elections and deliver “a peaceful, stable and prosperous future” in line with the Sudanese people’s aspirations.

Flashpoints in Darfur and Kordofan

The statement recalled the Council’s resolution 2736 (2024), which demands the RSF lift its siege of El Fasher, halt the fighting, and de-escalate tensions in and around the North Darfur capital.

Famine and extreme food insecurity are at risk of spreading in the city, which has been under siege since April 2024.

Members voiced alarm over reports of a renewed RSF offensive this week in El Fasher and urged the group to allow “unhindered humanitarian access” to the city.

The Council also expressed grave concern over reported attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan region in recent weeks, reportedly carried out by both sides, which have caused large numbers of civilian deaths. They also voiced deep concern about the impact of the conflict on humanitarian operations.

Demands for access

Council members pressed all parties to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access in line with international law, to protect civilians, and to abide by their obligations under both resolution 2736 and the 2023 Jeddah Declaration.

They stressed that perpetrators of serious violations must be held to account. 
They also urged all UN Member States to avoid any external interference that fuels conflict and instability, support efforts for durable peace, and comply with relevant international law and Council resolutions, including resolution 2750.

Backing for UN envoy

The Council reiterated its commitment to supporting the people of Sudan in their quest for peace, security, stability and prosperity.

It also voiced full support for the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, and his work with the warring sides and civil society to secure a sustainable settlement through dialogue. 

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Yemen: ‘Regional turmoil continues to erode prospects for peace,’ Security Council hears

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Yemen continues to be one of the world’s most food-insecure countries following over 12 years of war between the Saudi-backed coalition supporting the internationally recognised Government and Ansar Allah – as the rebels are officially known – with  17 million going hungry, according to UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

Despite a fragile but long-lasting ceasefire, regional turmoil continues to erode prospects for peace and stability. Without a political solution, “current cycles of violence – local and regional – along with economic devolution and endemic humanitarian need, will persist,” Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of OCHA’s Coordination Division, told ambassadors.

However, hopes for a lasting peace deal remain: “Reaching a sustainable solution to the situation in Yemen is not only possible, it is essential,” said Special Envoy Grundberg.

Concerning developments

Although frontlines have barely shifted, July saw the Houthi’s fortify their positions, including around Hudaydah City, and launch a significant assault on Government forces in Sa’adah Governorate – developments Mr. Grundberg told the Security Council were “concerning.”

Since October 2023, the Houthis have been targeting Israel as well as commercial ships in the Red Sea, in solidarity with the Palestinian cause in Gaza.

In the past month, the Houthis have continued missile exchanges with Israel, further destabilising Yemen and commerce in the region.

“For Yemen to have a real chance for peace, it must be protected from being further drawn into the ongoing regional turmoil emanating out of the war in Gaza,” Mr. Grundberg said, calling for and end to Houthi strikes against civilian ships in the Red Sea.

In the conflict at home, “the parties need to take actions that build trust and good faith,” he said, as the UN aims to establish a path for further talks.

“Unfortunately, we have seen the opposite in the last month with unilateral and escalatory decisions that risk deepening divisions within institutions and state structures,” said Mr. Grundberg.

Food insecurity

In some parts of Yemen, hunger and malnutrition are extreme – especially in areas of displacement. A needs-assessment mission in July found children from displaced families dying from starvation in such a camp in the Abs District of Hajjah Governorate.

“These are children who have died not from war wounds, but from hunger – slow, silent, and preventable,” Mr. Rajasingham said.

Half of Yemen’s under fives are suffering from acute malnutrition, and nearly half overall from stunting, leaving them much more vulnerable to dying from common illnesses.

Where healthcare is desperately inadequate and support services are unavailable to many, “this is a life-or-death gamble for children,” he said.

Mr. Rajasingham called for increased funding to scale up emergency food and nutrition support across the country, as humanitarian organizations remain on the ground, despite limited resources and operational challenges.

Path forward

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen continues to work towards de-escalation along the frontlines.

In order to establish a path for talks, “it is essential that measures that build trust and improve the day to day lives of Yemenis continue,” Mr. Grundberg said.

“I urge dialogue between the parties, which is the only way to bring about long-term sustainable solutions on all matters,” he said. 

Safe seas key to global prosperity, Security Council told

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Keeping sea routes safe today while also addressing emerging challenges was the focus of a debate in the UN Security Council on Monday which was convened by Panama, president for the month of August.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), told the Council that last year, a workforce of just 1.9 million seafarers moved over 12.3 billion tonnes of goods, essentially “keeping global trade afloat”. 

Safety and security fundamental

He said the maritime sector has proved to be “remarkably resilient” in the face of geopolitical challenges.

“Yet resilience cannot breed complacency,” he warned.  

“The safety and security of the maritime sector is fundamental to economic stability, sustainable maritime development and to livelihoods.”

Multiple threats

The threats are numerous. Nearly 150 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported in 2024 alone. In some regions such as Southeast Asia, incidents are surging, according to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). 

Beyond piracy, international vessels plying the Red Sea have also come under attack against the backdrop of the war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, trafficking continues – including drugs, endangered wildlife and protected timber – and organized crime groups tap into criminal supply chains to move weapons, operatives and illicit goods to finance their operations.

Seafarers work in the engine room of a Chinese registered ship in the Port of Genoa in Italy. (file)

A ‘network’ under attack

Maritime routes were “the world’s first truly global network,” connecting distant shores for thousands of years, said Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General.

“Today, and more than ever, that same network is exploited by criminals who threaten navigation, trade, communication – and with them, the global stability essential to sustainable development,” he told the Council.

He said the “poly-criminality at sea” is “making criminals more resilient, and enforcement more complex” as new and less visible dangers arise.

“As ports go digital – with automated vessel management, cargo tracking and logistics – vulnerabilities are emerging faster than they can be secured. Ports are facing a wave of cyber intrusions targeting the power, communication and logistics systems they rely on.” 

Furthermore, “cybercriminals can weaponise artificial intelligence to attack with greater speed, scale and precision.”

Global coordination, environmental action

In response to the situation, IMO has developed binding mandatory requirements, for example to address international ship and port security as well as cybersecurity threats.

The UN agency has also supported projects to boost regional capacity, including information sharing. This is in addition to establishing partnerships with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, regional entities and donor States, aimed at strengthening national capabilities and building trust.

“While addressing maritime security, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to protect the ocean,” said Mr. Dominguez.

“Maritime safety and security and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Support for countries to develop and enhance response capabilities for maritime pollution incidents including from oil spills is ongoing.”

A ship passes through the Panama Canal in Central America. (file)

Perspectives from the Panama Canal

The Council also heard from the agency responsible for the operation of the Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, shared perspectives from “one of the most emblematic channels for human cooperation,” highlighting the strength of “principles-based neutrality.”

“The Panama Canal is governed by an international treaty which safeguards equal access to all nations in times of peace or war,” he said, speaking in Spanish.

“This promise, which is incorporated in our Constitution, has enabled a small country to contribute stability to global trade, shielding this infrastructure from geopolitical tensions that also too often stymied progress.”

His remarks also showcased how the Canal has been under Panamanian administration for the last 25 years – a period which saw the completion of a third set of locks in 2016. As a result, the cargo volume transiting its waters increased by 50 per cent, while maintaining the same annual transit of roughly 13,500.

Climate adaptation

Like the IMO chief, Mr. Vásquez Morales also emphasised the need to address climate change. The Panama Canal experienced a drought over the past two years and this “global wake-up call” sparked water conservation efforts, logistical adjustments and the building of an artificial lake.

“Today, the canal boasts technologies that strengthen climate resilience,” he said.

“It creates financial mechanisms and ensures water and environmental security, while at the same time implementing efficient governance to harness the rapid progress in artificial intelligence and collaborating to strengthen cyber security on our roads and our logistics systems.”

Commitment, peace and solidarity

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Vásquez Morales insisted that “the Panama Canal is living proof that global public goods can be administered with equity, responsibility and vision.”

“Through sustained cooperation, constant adaptation and steadfast commitment to the principles of international law, the Canal will remain a safe and efficient route ready to serve not only this generation, but also many more to come,” he said.

“We trust that by working together, we will be able to keep open, not only waterways, but also the channels of understanding peace and solidarity.” 

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Security Council voices deep concern over deadly escalation in Syria’s Sweida region

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Unrest began on 12 July when mutual kidnappings escalated into armed conflict between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes, drawing in Syrian security forces.

The violence spiralled, with reports of extrajudicial executions, desecration of corpses and looting. Footage circulated widely on social media fanned sectarian tensions and disinformation.

Nearly 200,000 displaced

In a presidential statement adopted on Sunday, ambassadors said they were “deeply concerned” by the recent fighting, which has included “mass killings” and led to the internal displacement of some 192,000 people.

The Council “strongly condemns the violence perpetrated against civilians…and calls on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire arrangement and to ensure the protection of the civilian population.”

The 15-member body reminded all sides of their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law, stressing in particular the duty to “respect and protect” all medical and humanitarian personnel.

Council members urged all parties to allow “full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access” to affected communities in the heavily-Druze Sweida area and across Syria, in line with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

They also underscored the need to ensure the humane treatment of all combatants, including those who have surrendered, are wounded, detained, or have laid down their arms.

Protection for all

The statement called on the Syrian interim authorities to protect all Syrians “regardless of ethnicity or religion” and warned that “there can be no meaningful recovery in Syria without genuine safety and protection for all Syrians.”

The Council welcomed the interim authorities’ condemnation of the violence and their commitment to investigate those responsible, but urged them to ensure “credible, swift, transparent, impartial, and comprehensive investigations… in line with international standards.”

Reaffirming resolutions including 2254 (2015), the Council reiterated its “strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic” and called on all States to avoid “negative or destructive interference” that could further destabilise the country.

The statement also recalled the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) tmonitoring and patrolling the contested Golan on the Syria-Israel border, urging all parties to abide by its terms to maintain calm.

On the threat of terrorism, the Council cited the latest report of its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, voicing “grave concern over the acute threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters” in Syria. It urged the country to take decisive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida, in line with relevant resolutions.

Looking ahead, the Council repeated its call for “an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process” based on resolution 2254, to safeguard the rights of all Syrians and enable them to “peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures.”

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