News by topic: Peace and Security

Nepal: Ban urges all parties to ‘maintain momentum’ to hold elections within timetable

24 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all parties in Nepal to overcome remaining political obstacles to hold the country’s next elections within the existing timetable.

UN human rights expert welcomes shift in President Obama’s counter-terrorism policy

24 May – An independent United Nations human rights expert has welcomed what he said was a ground-breaking speech by President Barack Obama in which the United States leader laid out principles governing the use of counter-terrorism measures such as targeted killings.

Afghanistan: UN condemns terrorist attack on partner agency’s compound

24 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan have strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a compound of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in central Kabul, which earlier today wounded three of the agency’s staff, one seriously.

Deploring attacks in Niger, Security Council says perpetrators must be brought to justice

24 May – The Security Council today condemned “in the strongest terms” the two terrorist attacks that occurred on Thursday in Niger, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Continuing push for Great Lakes peace, UN chief in Uganda after visit to Rwanda

24 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today thanked the Government of Uganda for its contribution to peace and security in Africa, travelling alongside World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on a first-of-its-kind visit to support a recent peace accord and promote economic development in the Great Lakes region.

Ban strongly condemns two suicide bombings in north-west Niger

23 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the two suicide bombings which took place today in north-west Niger, and conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

DR Congo: In Goma, Secretary-General hails regional accord as ‘best chance for peace in years’

23 May – Arriving today in restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all the leaders of Africa’s Great Lakes region to throw their support behind a recently-signed peace accord which aims to ensure security, as well as development, for the long-troubled country.

UN expanding mine action work in Mali

22 May – The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) today announced plans to expand its humanitarian activities in Mali, bolster preparations for full deployment of an African-led support mission and help displaced persons return safely to their homes following months of strife in the West African country.

Security Council extends UN political mission in Guinea-Bissau

22 May – The United Nations Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations political mission in Guinea-Bissau to assist in finding solutions to the political and economic crisis being exacerbated by additional challenges posed by transnational crime, in particular drug trafficking and money laundering.

Guinea: UN official initiates consultations between Government, opposition leaders

22 May – A United Nations envoy today convened a consultative meeting in the Guinean capital, Conakry, between the Prime Minister and opposition leaders, pressing ahead with UN efforts to assist the parties in resolving differences over preparations for stalled legislative elections and other contentious issues through peaceful means.