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Department of Political Affairs

Latest Reports by the Secretary-General

Central Africa, Guinea-Bissau and Somalia are among the countries in focus in the latest Reports of the Secretary-General relating to field missions managed by the Department of Political Affairs.

Central Africa: Strategy against LRA depends on international support – 11 June 2012 

The Secretary-General, UN Special Representative for Central Africa, Abou Moussa in his latest report on Central Africa, expressed encouragement at the growing cooperation among regional and international actors working to eliminate the threat posed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). He called on the international community to support the implementation of a regional strategy to address the threat and impact of the LRA, including through disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration efforts. These efforts will only be successful if the necessary resources are allocated to carry them out, the Secretary-General concluded. 

Read the full report on Central Africa (PDF).

More about the UN's political efforts in Central Africa

 

Central African Republic: Security gains despite persisting threats by armed groups - 29 May 2012 

  Most of the Central African Republic has become accessible in 2012, whereas a year ago Government control Peace and Reconciliation Caravan, Central African Republic and access by international organizations could be assured only in certain regions. However, as the Secretary-General wrote in his latest report on the country, the continued threat to civilians posed by foreign armed groups such as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Popular Front for Recovery (FPR) continues to constitute a cause for serious concern.  

Given the unprecedented window of opportunity on the security front, the Secretary-General called on the international community to meet the substantial funding shortfall on disarming and reintegrating former combatants.
 
On a political level, the Government’s decision to launch a dialogue with opposition parties constituted a major breakthrough. At the same time, the Secretary-General urged all actors to work toward consensus on the conduct of future elections.
 
Read the full report on the Central African Republic (PDF).
 

More about the UN's political efforts in the Central African Republic

 

Somalia: Critical transition to inclusive democracy - 1 May 2012

  Somalia   In his latest report on Somalia, the Secretary-General urged the country’s leaders to seize the opportunity to end the transitional period and establish inclusive institutions by August 2012. “They must agree to move forward together and to carefully listen to the views of the Somali people,” the Secretary-General wrote.

 He called for strong measures against those who obstruct the political process, beginning with a warning, followed by "naming and shaming", and if no progress is made, action by the Security Council. The latter could include travel bans or the freezing of assets.
 
From a security perspective, the Secretary-General welcomed the military successes of the African Union peacekeeping mission AMISOM, specifically its deployment beyond the capital Mogadishu. He offered the African Union the continued support of the United Nations in completing the expanded deployment of AMISOM troops in Somalia.
 

Read the full report on Somalia (PDF).

More about the UN's political efforts in Somalia

 

Guinea-Bissau: Call for return to constitutional rule after coup - 30 April 2012

  Guinea-Bissau The Secretary-General called for an immediate return to civilian rule after the April 2012 coup in Guinea-Bissau, and said the political, security, human rights and socio-economic situation was worsening in the country.

 

Read the full report on Guinea-Bissau (PDF).

More about the UN's political efforts in Guinea-Bissau

   

Iraq: National reconciliation at the centre of political efforts - 29 March 2012

  Special Representative for Iraq, Martin Kobler “Following the completion of the withdrawal of the United States forces, Iraq has entered a new chapter in its history,” the Secretary-General said in his report on Iraq of March 2012. While noting two national elections, the adoption of a constitution and the holding of provincial elections as achievements Iraq can be proud of, the UN chief expressed concern about the outstanding issues on national reconciliation.

  

Read the full report on Iraq (PDF).

More about the UN's political efforts in Iraq

   

Sierra Leone: Call for resumption of national dialogue - 14 March 2012

  Sierra Leone Ten years after Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, a report by the Secretary-General attests to the West African country considerable progress in consolidating its hard-won peace and laying the foundations for a better future. At the same time, the report also notes continuing governance and developmental challenges.

  With incidents of violence raising concerns about the prospects for peaceful 2012 elections, the Secretary-General called for a resumption of the dialogue among the political parties.

 

Read the full report on Sierra Leone (PDF).

More about the UN's political efforts on Sierra Leone

 

Libya: First democratic elections in over four decades - 1 March 2012

  Libya In his latest report on Libya, the Secretary-General called the first free and democratic elections in Libya in over four decades a crucial opportunity for the Libyan people. He particularly welcomed the participation of civil society in the consultations over the electoral law and the special measures to promote the representation of women.

 The Secretary-General also noted the importance of measures to promote a conducive environment for credible, free and fair elections on July 7.

 

Read the full report on Libya (PDF).  

More about the UN's political efforts on Libya

DPA E-News, July 2012