Noon briefing of 26 December 2025
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE U.N. SYSTEM
FRIDAY, 26 DECEMBER 2025
SUDAN
The United Nations takes note of the peace initiative presented by Sudan’s Transitional Prime Minister during his participation in the Security Council meeting held on 22 December.
The Secretary-General continues to stress that the pursuit of lasting and inclusive peace is essential as the conflict enters a new year. The United Nations supports a resolution that puts an end to the ongoing conflict and preserves the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan.
He calls on the parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and to reach a lasting ceasefire. The Secretary-General encourages all Sudanese actors to prioritize compromise and the articulation of a shared vision for a civilian-led transition.
The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, remains ready to advance consultations with both parties on achieving an inclusive and sustainable resolution to the conflict, complementing and amplifying ongoing efforts by Member States and key partners.
UNISFA
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) confirmed the completion of the evacuation of its logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan, after nearly thirteen years of operations. The evacuation of the mission’s personnel and some NGO staff was successfully completed over the weekend.
The withdrawal follows a comprehensive assessment of the security situation in Kadugli following drone attacks on the logistics base on 13 December, that claimed the lives of six UN peacekeepers and seriously injured nine others. The remains of the six peacekeepers killed in the attack were repatriated to Bangladesh while eight of the injured are recuperating at a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
NIGERIA
In a statement on 25 December, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, expressed his deep sadness at the impact of a suspected suicide attack in a mosque in Gamboru, Maiduguri, Borno State in north-east Nigeria, which led to the loss of lives and left scores injured.
Mr. Fall conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were killed, and to the Government and the people of Borno State and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Mr. Fall joined the Governor of Borno, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in strongly condemning the heinous attack in a place of worship and echoed his call for increased vigilance and enhanced security measures during this festive period and beyond.
This alleged suicide attack is yet another horrific reminder of the deadly toll of violent attacks in Borno State this year. On 5 September, more than 50 civilians were killed when suspected members of a non-state armed group attacked Darajamal, in Bama Local Government Area, while other incidents have ranged from targeted attacks on communities to attacks on internally-displaced persons’ camps, using improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings and other tactics targeting farmers, fishermen, travellers and traders.
Mr. Fall reiterated his call to parties to the conflict to protect civilians, including those gathered in places of worship, as well as their property, and to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.
The United Nations reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting people affected by the conflict in north-east Nigeria.
MALI
Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated US$1 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for an urgent response to diphtheria in Mali, which has been facing a fast-spreading outbreak of the disease since mid-September.
The new funding will support life-saving health interventions in the regions of Mopti, Ségou and Tombouctou, where mortality rates are highest.
As of early December, more than 530 diphtheria cases and over 30 deaths had been reported, though the actual figures are expected to be far higher due to underreporting.
The outbreak comes as Mali continues to see vaccine shortages and limited access to healthcare, amid ongoing insecurity and cross-border population movements.
The allocation from CERF, the UN’s globally emergency fund, managed by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will enable the World Health Organization (WHO) to deploy emergency medical teams, provide antibiotics and antitoxins, work to prevent infections, manage cases, trace contacts and raise community awareness.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Saturday is International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. In his message, the Secretary-General says that on this important day, we remind ourselves that resilient communities are fundamental to preventing, and responding to, epidemics and pandemics. “When communities are protected, we are all protected.”