The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, arrived in Goma on Friday, April 24, 2026, as part of his first field visit to the eastern part of the country since taking office and which started on 20 April with Beni. This visit comes amid persistent security challenges and ceasefire monitoring responsibilities for MONUSCO. Upon his arrival at Goma…
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held a round of meetings this week with Lebanese political, security and religious representatives. In exercising her good offices role, the Special Coordinator discussed with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam ongoing efforts to consolidate the cessation of hostilities and advance stability in Lebanon. Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert also met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces…
New analysis underscores urgent need for coordinated responses to protect civilians. Bogotá, Colombia – 15 April 2026. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Colombia has launched a new technical paper titled “Uncrewed Aircraft Systems with Explosive Payloads: Emerging Threats and Challenges for Colombia”, highlighting the growing humanitarian risks associated with the use of weaponized drones by non-state armed groups. Presented…
WAU – In 2016, clashes between armed forces caused almost 40,000 people to flee Wau town in search of a safe haven. By 2020, many had resettled in other parts of the country while about 10,000 former residents remained in the Naivasha protection site, established by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and partners. Since then, the site has undergone various changes regarding protection mandates and different partner organizations providing…
YAMBIO – Victoria* gazes lovingly at the upturned face of the four-month-old infant lying on her lap. She brushes her palm gently across his forehead and giggles as the baby coos and gurgles and kicks his tiny legs in the air. She leans back and smiles, her eyes glinting with pride, revelling in the newfound joy of motherhood. Just shy of 19, her smile and calm demeanour conceal the many horrors that she’s battled. And survived. Abducted by an…
À Obo, dans le Haut-Mbomou, 80 représentants de partis politiques ont bénéficié, le 21 avril, d’une formation organisée par la Délégation sous-préfectorale des élections (DSPE) avec l’appui de la MINUSCA, afin de renforcer leurs compétences dans les bureaux de vote le jour des scrutins. Les modules développés ont porté notamment sur les droits et devoirs des représentants des partis politiques dans les bureaux de vote, ainsi que sur le code de…
As Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory prepare to go to the polls on 25 April, the United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, welcomes the efforts of the Central Elections Commission to organize local elections in the West Bank and the municipality of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. “Saturday’s elections represent an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise their…
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on 22 April, officially handed over the newly rehabilitated 37‑kilometre stretch Abyei–Agok road, a key supply route constructed by its Vietnamese Military Construction Engineering Contingent 4. The re-opening of the road, which serves as a lifeline for communities across Abyei, will support the delivery of humanitarian aid, economic recovery and peacekeeping efforts. The rehabilitation…
New York / Brussels, 23 April 2026 – The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Sudan has received new funding from the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) to support mine action activities aimed at improving civilian safety, humanitarian access, and early recovery in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. The €3 million contribution will support the implementation of the 18-month project “Rebuilding Sudan: Mine…
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Haiti The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse of the Republic of Haiti. The perpetrators of…
I welcome today’s ministerial level meeting on Afghanistan, as a clear signal of the sense of urgency that the region feels in light of the rapidly developing situation across Afghanistan. As the Head of UNAMA, Special…
As it completes a decade of independence, South Sudan has started the process of drafting a permanent constitution. A complex undertaking with numerous moving parts, it is nonetheless the quintessential act of sovereignty…
86 women were among the 643 peacekeepers recently honoured with the prestigious United Nations Medal for their service and sacrifice in conflict-ridden Jonglei, South Sudan. Photo by Mach Samuel/UNMISS. “I have left my two…
MONUSCO supports the fight against the trafficking of harmful substances in prisons. Photo MONUSCO/Correction Unit To fight the consumption and trafficking of illicit substances in the central prison of Makala, in Kinshasa…
Bujumbura (Burundi), 6 July 2021 – Heads of intelligence and security services of the Great Lakes countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania, met on 5-6 July in the…
Question: When are you going to announce the 6 th round of the Geneva talks [Constitutional Committee], and how maybe the cross-border access and any Russian and American agreement will help you in that. Mr. Pedersen: Let me…
Every country needs a constitution. South Sudan needs a new and permanent one. But what should it say, and exactly how does one go about drafting an updated constitution? The process is complex, and intricately interrelated…
“I have left my two young sons at home and have been serving as a Blue Helmet with UNMISS for almost two years,” says Major Wondimagegn Araya , a peacekeeper from Ethiopia who is deployed to conflict-ridden Jonglei in the…
Covid-19 response | WHO sustains strengthening capacity for preparedness and response to COVID-19 Since the beginning of 2020, WHO has supported the government of Somalia to develop preparedness and response capacities for…
A need for u p to US$485 million for immediate and short-term recovery The eleven days of hostilities in May 2021 in Gaza resulted in the loss of over 260 people, including 66 children and 41 women, and exacerbated previous…
UNMISS in Eastern Equatoria recently conducted a refresher training for 50 commanders of the South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces on adhering to international human rights standards and codes of conduct for military personnel…