New report of the Secretary-General on the UN Operation (02.02.2012)

Quelle: S/2011/807

The report covers major developments since the report of 24 June 2011 (S/2011/387), including the holding of the legislative elections.

UN disarmament operation continues near Abidjan (01.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

A United Nations voluntary disarmament operation began today in a suburb north of the Ivorian city of Abidjan, aiming to collect illegal weapons still in circulation among the civilian population. The operation, conducted by the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and national authorities, is part of a wider national campaign which began in June … .

UN official stresses need to boost peacekeeping operations in DR Congo (08.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

The top United Nations peacekeeping official today stressed the need to boost the mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to facilitate the next phase of elections in the vast, impoverished country and protect civilians in areas where national authorities are not present.

Kabila party loses seats in Congo parliament – results (02.02.2012)

Quelle: Reuters AlertNet

Democratic Republic of Congo’s ruling party has lost more than 40 percent of its legislative seats to rivals but will remain the largest bloc in parliament, according to full results from a Nov. 28 vote released on Thursday.

UN mission hails new strategy to defeat Congo militia groups (31.01.2012)

Quelle: VOA News

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) is welcoming as a positive step a U.S. military strategy to defeat armed insurgents in the Great Lakes region.

UN mission hails new strategy to defeat Congo militia groups (31.01.2012)

Quelle: VOA News

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) is welcoming as a positive step a U.S. military strategy to defeat armed insurgents in the Great Lakes region.

DRC army's loyalties uncertain around election (27.01.2012)

Quelle: IWPR

Recent elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, have highlighted the continuing power struggles between former rebel groups integrated into the Congolese army, prompting concerns about future stability and the government’s lack of control over military units in the east of the country.

New report of the Secretary-General on MONUSCO (26.01.2012)

Quelle: S/2012/65

Guinea-Bissau free of all known anti-personnel mines (01.02.2012)

Quelle: Reliefweb

Guinea-Bissau has become the latest country to declare that it has cleared all known mined areas according to its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention. … The landmine problem in Guinea-Bissau dated as far back as the 1963-1974 liberation war with additional landmines and explosive remnants of war laid during the 1998-1999 civil war and the March 2006 Casamance conflict.

Libya struggles to curb militias as chaos grows (08.02.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

The Arab world’s most sweeping revolution is foundering as the interim Libyan government seems to be paralyzed by its lack of power to control competing militias.

Ban thanks outgoing head of UN Peacebuilding Office for his work (02.02.2012)

Quelle: allAfrica

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his appreciation of the work of the outgoing United Nations envoy to Sierra Leone, Michael von der Schulenburg, including his initiatives to boost donor cooperation and efficient aid use in the West African country.

EU envoy talks tough to Somalian leaders (08.02.2012)

Quelle: Reuters AlertNet

Somalia's leaders must press ahead with political reforms or risk losing aid from the European Union, its biggest donor, the EU envoy to the Horn of Africa said on Wednesday.

London conference "an opportunity" for Somaliland (07.02.2012)

Quelle: Irinnews

More than two decades after it unilaterally asserted its independence from the rest of Somalia, Somaliland plans to lobby hard at a major conference in London in February for something it has sorely lacked since its inception: international recognition of its sovereignty.

UN and partners insist interim political arrangement must end in August (06.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

The international group that brings together the United Nations and its diplomatic partners in support of efforts to restore peace and stability in Somalia insisted today that the country’s current transitional governing arrangements must end on 20 August this year, as stipulated in recent agreements, and called for a new draft constitution by mid-April.

'Opportunity' to end terror, piracy in Somalia: Hague (03.02.2012)

Quelle: AFP

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said Friday there was an "opportunity" to end the crisis in Somalia and tackle terrorism and piracy there, after a landmark visit to the war-torn nation.

Famine conditions in Somalia have ended, UN says (03.02.2012)

Quelle: BBC

Famine conditions have ended in war-torn Somalia six months after being first declared, the UN has said.

Britain appoints first ambassador to Somalia in 21 years (02.02.2012)

Quelle: The Daily Star

Britain appointed Thursday its first ambassador to war-torn Somalia for 21 years, with an embassy to open in anarchic Mogadishu when the security situation allows, officials said.

Special report of the Secretary-General on Somalia (31.01.2012)

Quelle: S/2012/74

The Secretary-General’s report presents recommendations on the new strategic concept for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

UN condemns Al-Shabab's ban on ICRC (31.01.2012)

Quelle: Reliefweb

The UN has expressed concern over a ban by Somalia's Al-Shabab insurgents on aid distributions by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia saying the move would reverse gains made in the country's food security. … The ICRC was one of the last aid agencies operating in areas under Al-Shabab’s control.

AU, Kenyan forces move to squeeze rebels out of Somalia (30.01.2012)

Quelle: Reuters

African Union and Kenyan troops aim to squeeze Somali rebels linked to al Qaeda by pursuing a coordinated war on two fronts, the U.N. chief's special envoy in Somalia said Monday.

Ethiopia opens new front against Somalia's al-Shabab (30.01.2012)

Quelle: VOA News

Witnesses in Somalia say columns of Ethiopian troops have crossed into the country and are marching toward key al-Shabab strongholds, apparently opening a new military front against the Islamist militant group.

Darfur Regional Authority launched (08.02.2012)

Quelle: BBC

Sudan's president has launched a body intended to kick-start development in the war-torn western region of Darfur. The new Darfur Regional Authority aims to share power and wealth, compensate those affected by the nine-year war and help the return of displaced people.

UNAMID chief is a burden on Darfur crisis – JEM rebels (04.02.2012)

Quelle: Sudan Tribune

Citing violations in UNAMID's mandate by Ibrahim Gambari … a JEM spokesman said the rebel group had alerted Ban Ki-moon that Gambari had become a heavy burden to the Darfur crisis.

UNAMID chief told to avoid unnecessary contact with Bashir (01.02.2012)

Quelle: Sudan Tribune

The United Nations on Wednesday disclosed that it asked the head of the Darfur Peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) Ibrahim Gambari to avoid repeating unnecessary encounters with the Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir.

More needs to be done to enhance Darfur’s peace process – UN official (30.01.2012)

Quelle: UN News

A strong political will, adequate financial resources and strengthened operations to help Darfur’s vulnerable population are needed to accelerate the peace and reconciliation process in Sudan, a senior United Nations official said today.

Sudan oil dispute raises war rhetoric (07.02.2012)

Quelle: VOA News

A deepening oil dispute between South Sudan and Sudan has raised hostility to a point where leaders of both countries have suggested there is the strong possibility of a conflict.

Khartoum’s “Plan B” against South Sudan revealed (06.02.2012)

Quelle: Sudan Tribune

Sudan’s foreign ministry has revealed details of what it called ’Plan B’ to confront South Sudan, saying it entails economic pressure and support to southern rebel groups.

South Sudan ethnic militia warn of major new operation (06.02.2012)

Quelle: Reuters AlertNet

A 30,000-strong ethnic militia, known as the White Army, has announced it plans a major operation in South Sudan’s troubled Jonglei state, raising fears of fresh violence following tribal clashes which have already displaced 140,000 people since December.

Kiir explains South Sudan’s refusal to sign oil deal with Khartoum (01.02.2012)

Quelle: Sudan Tribune

South Sudan president, Salva Kiir Mayradit, on Tuesday told fellow heads of state at the (AU) summit that his country refused to sign a proposed deal on oil with neighboring Sudan because the deal failed to comprehensively address the fundamental causes of the crisis.

Serbia-Kosovo dialogue eases tensions, but challenges remain – UN official (08.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

The resumption of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has led to the easing of tensions on the ground, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, cautioning, however, that other significant political challenges continue to emerge. … The emerging political challenges include a decision by leaders in northern Kosovo to proceed next week with a “referendum” on the acceptance by local Kosovo Serbs of the Kosovo institutions.

Kosovo and Serbia: a little goodwill could go a long way – new ICG report (02.02.2012)

Quelle: International Crisis Group

The dispute about Kosovo’s sovereignty continues to fuel tensions and violent clashes in northern Kosovo, halting Kosovo’s and Serbia’s fragile dialogue and putting at risk Serbia’s EU candidacy. “Kosovo and Serbia: A Little Goodwill Could Go a Long Way”, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines on-going instability in the North, … .

Kosovo seeks full independence in 2012 (01.02.2012)

Quelle: Balkan Insight

Kosovo's parliament has adopted a resolution calling for the international community to permit full independence by the end of this year.

Josipovic seeks arbitration with Serbia, Bosnia (08.02.2012)

Quelle: Balkan Insight

Croatian President proposes arbitration to solve Croatia's oustanding border disputes with Serbia and Bosnia.

Iraq’s political Crisis eases as Sunni ministers rejoin the government (07.02.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

Iraq’s Sunni ministers returned to the cabinet on Tuesday, an incremental step that eases the tensions of the country’s political crisis but does not end it.

Iraq bloc to end parliament boycott (29.01.2012)

Quelle: Al Jazeera

The largest political alliance in Iraq's government has said that it would end its boycott of parliament. The decision by Iraqiya on Sunday, backed by much of the country's Sunnis and some secular Shias, could ease an ongoing political crisis in the government of Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's Shia prime minister.

Abbas to head interim Palestinian government (06.02.2012)

Quelle: Reliefweb

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is to head an interim consensus government under a deal signed with Hamas on Monday, ending a long-running disagreement over the post that stalled Palestinian reconciliation.

Israel condemns Palestinian reconciliation deal (06.02.2012)

Quelle: RFE/RL

Israel's prime minister says it will be impossible to hold peace talks if the Palestinians go through with a new reconciliation deal.

In Middle East, Ban urges stepped-up efforts to resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict (01.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Israelis and Palestinians to take steps that will build trust and ensure an environment conducive to sustained negotiations, voicing his hope that the nascent talks begun last month between the two sides will continue.

Special Tribunal for Lebanon hopes to conclude work within 3 years (06.02.2012)

Quelle: The Daily Star

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) spokesperson Marten Youssef said that the STL hopes to complete its mission within the next three years. … The court’s first mandate ends on Feb. 29. It has requested an additional three year extension, a decision to be made by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon after consultations with the Lebanese government.

Turkey calls for international Syria conference to stop violence (08.02.2012)

Quelle: RFE/RL

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says his country is ready to host an international conference on the Syria crisis. Speaking to Reuters in Ankara on February 8, Davutoglu maintained that if the UN fails to act, then like-minded countries must find other ways to send a message of support to the Syrian people under attack by President Bashar al-Assad's security forces.

EU prepares new sanctions against Syria (08.02.2012)

Quelle: B92

The EU is preparing new sanctions against Syria’s regime. Many Western and Arab countries have recalled their ambassadors from Damascus.

UN and Arab League consider joint observer mission to try to stop killings (08.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

The United Nations and the League of Arab States are considering sending a joint observer mission to Syria to try to end the crisis engulfing the Middle East country, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warning today that recent attacks against civilians in the city of Homs were “a grim harbinger of worse to come.”

Sarkozy pushes 'Friends of Syria' group at UN (06.02.2012)

Quelle: EurActiv

Western and Arab states voiced outrage yesterday (5 February) after Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution that would have backed an Arab plan urging Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to give up power. French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed creating a "Friends of Syria" group to advance initiative.

Solution on Syria remains elusive for White House (05.02.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

The Obama administration, dismayed by the escalating violence in Syria and the blocking of tougher action against the Syrian government by Russia and China over the weekend, vowed Sunday to “redouble efforts” to push President Bashar al-Assad out of power.

Diplomats at U.N. haggle with Russia toward a compromise on Syria (01.02.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

Security Council ambassadors on Wednesday began trying to negotiate a compromise resolution on Syria, with the bartering focused in good part on the conditions under which President Bashar al-Assad could be asked to cede power.

Arab League suspends Syria mission as violence rages (29.01.2012)

Quelle: Reuters AlertNet

The Arab League suspended its monitoring mission in Syria because of worsening violence, a move Damascus said was an attempt to encourage foreign intervention as it struggles to quell a 10-month revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Haiti making progress on rule of law, but faces serious challenges – UN expert (08.02.2012)

Quelle: UN News

Haiti has made some progress in restoring the rule of law, the United Nations independent expert on the human rights situation in the Caribbean country said today, citing as examples the appointment of the president of the highest appellate court and the upcoming establishment of the supreme council of the judiciary.

Top US envoy 'met Taliban in Qatar' (09.02.2012)

Quelle: Reliefweb

Washington's chief envoy to Afghanistan met Taliban leaders in Qatar as part of US efforts to bring the insurgents to the negotiating table, a senior Afghan official said on Wednesday.

NATO, Afghan and Pakistan officials to hold border talks (08.02.2012)

Quelle: Reuters

NATO, Afghan and Pakistani military officials will hold talks on improving border security and coordination on Wednesday, in a possible sign that tension is easing following a cross-border NATO air attack in November that infuriated Pakistan.

General: US advisory teams heading to Afghanistan (08.02.2012)

Quelle: The Daily Star

The No. 2 U.S. commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday that U.S. military advisory teams will start deploying to Afghanistan this year to help Afghan combat forces as they take a more prominent role in fighting the Taliban.

UK lead combat role in Afghanistan will end before 2014, says Downing Street (02.02.2012)

Quelle: The Guardian

Whitehall and military officials say clarification on withdrawal strategy does not represent a change in thinking.

Panetta says U.S. to end Afghan combat role as soon as 2013 (01.02.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

In a major milestone toward ending a decade of war in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Wednesday that American forces would step back from a combat role there as early as mid-2013, more than a year before all American troops are scheduled to come home.

Afghan officials consider own talks with Taliban (30.01.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

Concerned that it is being left out of potential peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, the Afghan government is pushing to open its own direct negotiations with the insurgent group in Saudi Arabia, Afghan officials said on Monday.

Afghanistan to press Pakistan for access to Taliban (30.01.2012)

Quelle: Reuters

Afghanistan will press Pakistan for access to Taliban leaders during a one-day visit to Kabul by Pakistan's foreign minister, with Afghan officials hoping to ease cross-border strains and lay the ground for peace negotiations with the insurgents.

France, breaking with NATO, will speed Afghan exit (27.01.2012)

Quelle: New York Times

President Nicolas Sarkozy announced on Friday that France would break with its allies in NATO and accelerate the French withdrawal from Afghanistan, pulling back combat troops a year early, by the end of 2013.

Turkmen-Kazakh border shut down (09.02.2012)

Quelle: RFE/RL

Turkmen authorities have closed the Turkmen-Kazakh border, citing the presidential elections due to be held in Turkmenistan on February 12.

U.S. suspends ban on military assistance to Uzbekistan (02.02.2012)

Quelle: RFE/RL

The United States has temporarily waived a ban on providing military assistance to Uzbekistan because of the country's crucial role in transiting supplies to forces in Afghanistan, according to U.S. officials.