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Arab News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UN peacekeeping chief ‘very, very worried' about future of Lebanon-Israel peace framework if UNIFIL withdraws
NEW YORK CITY: The future of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which governs the ceasefire and peacekeeping framework between Lebanon and Israel, would be at risk without the continuing presence of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, the UN's top peacekeeper warned on Thursday. Jean Pierre Lacroix, the organization's head of peacekeeping operations, expressed his deep concern during a press conference following visits to Lebanon and Syria. He told Arab News he would be 'very, very worried' about the future of the resolution if UNIFIL was withdrawn. 'UNIFIL is not an end in itself, and UNIFIL is not something standalone,' he said. 'It's a tool for supporting implementation of Resolution 1701, so the two are inextricably linked. 'I would be very, very worried about the future of Resolution 1701 if there is no UNIFIL on the ground to support the implementation of that resolution.' UNIFIL, established in 2006 to monitor the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and prevent hostilities in Lebanon's volatile southern border region, continues to play a crucial role in providing support for the Lebanese army presence in areas south of the Litani River. The peacekeepers assist in tasks such as mine clearance and rehabilitation efforts, serve as liaisons between Lebanese and Israeli forces, and help with deconfliction efforts. Despite progress in enforcing the provisions of the resolution, Lacroix said that violations persist and more work is needed to ensure it is fully implemented. During his trip, Lacroix met senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, the prime minister, the speaker of the parliament, and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. All of them, he said, reiterated the critical need for UNIFIL to maintain its presence in the country, and Lebanese authorities have formally asked the Security Council to extend the mission's mandate. However, UNIFIL faces severe financial constraints. Lacroix said contingency planning is underway amid liquidity shortfalls and uncertainties about the funding commitments of UN member states, particularly in light of potential US opposition to extension of the mandate. 'To the best of my knowledge, there is no final position expressed by Israel or the United States,' he said in response to reports of possible opposition to the continued deployment of UNIFIL. 'But we expect consistency from member states; they give mandates and then are expected to pay on time and in full.' Lacroix stressed that in the absence of UNIFIL, practical and symbolic support for Resolution 1701 would erode, potentially escalating tensions in a region where stability remains fragile. 'The interlocutors in Lebanon were concerned and expressed the need for UNIFIL's presence to help mitigate and reduce tensions that remain quite high in the region,' he said. The Security Council is scheduled to review UNIFIL's mandate in August. The mission currently comprises about 10,000 troops from more than 40 countries.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
UN peacekeeping chief warns that conflict in Sudan is spilling into Central African Republic
UNITED NATIONS — The conflict in Sudan is spilling across its southwestern border into Central African Republic , a country already battered by its own conflict with rebels, the United Nations peacekeeping chief warned Thursday. Undersecretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the U.N. Security Council that the attack that killed a U.N. peacekeeper near the country's border with Sudan last Friday was carried out by 'armed Sudanese elements.' His comments were the first identifying Sudanese armed fighters as responsible for the attack on the peacekeepers.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
UN peacekeeping chief warns that conflict in Sudan is spilling into Central African Republic
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The conflict in Sudan is spilling across its southwestern border into Central African Republic, a country already battered by its own conflict with rebels, the United Nations peacekeeping chief warned Thursday. Undersecretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the U.N. Security Council that the attack that killed a U.N. peacekeeper near the country's border with Sudan last Friday was carried out by 'armed Sudanese elements.' His comments were the first identifying Sudanese armed fighters as responsible for the attack on the peacekeepers. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said in a new report to the Security Council that vehicles suspected of belonging to the Rapid Support Forces — the key actors in Sudan's civil war — were sighted on several occasions in the areas of Am Dafok and Aouk (Vakaga Prefecture) of Central African Republic, where U.N. peacekeepers are present. In the report covering the period from mid-February to mid-June, Guterres said, 'In the northeast (of CAR), armed incursions linked to the conflict in the Sudan continued.' Sudan plunged into civil war when rival generals heading the country's armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces started fighting each other in mid-April 2023. Since then, at least 24,000 people have died, about 13 million Sudanese have fled their homes, famine is setting in and cholera is sweeping across the country. Both sides have been accused of war crimes. Meanwhile, CAR has been battling conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé from office. It is among the first countries in Africa to welcome Russia-backed forces, with Moscow seeking to help protect authorities and fight armed groups. Lacroix, the U.N. peacekeeping chief, said that while progress is being made with some groups on reintegrating into CAR's peace process, violence by armed groups and militias continues, compromising stability and posing a significant threat to civilians. He said the government continues to collaborate with MINUSCA — the U.N.'s peacekeeping operation in CAR — on extending and enhancing its presence throughout the country and improving security in border areas. 'Despite these efforts, the security situation remains tenuous in border areas in the northeast,' Lacroix said. 'In the border region with Sudan, instability continues to be characterized by the spillover of the Sudanese conflict.' With general elections expected to be held in December, the political situation remains 'punctuated by mistrust and tensions between the majority in power and opposition,' Lacroix said. The elections represent a 'crucial opportunity' to strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation and consolidate stability, he added.
Zawya
a day ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Upcoming elections ‘crucial opportunity' for Central African Republic, UN top official tells Security Council
December's local, legislative and presidential elections 'represent a crucial opportunity' to strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation and consolidate stability, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations told ambassadors in the Security Council. The timely holding of presidential and legislative elections is a constitutional requirement, and the Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to holding local elections, he added. Although the final electoral roll is currently delayed due to technical difficulties, national authorities, supported by the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, have made significant efforts to advance the revision of the electoral register through nationwide registration. 'This process took place without major security incidents, reflecting effective collaboration between the Central African national defence forces and MINUSCA, as well as public interest in engaging with the political process,' said Mr. Lacroix. Challenges remain Although the 19 April agreement between the government and leaders of various opposition armed groups aimed to end hostilities in the country, violence – primarily perpetrated by armed groups and militias – continues to undermine stability. 'The security situation remains fragile in border regions,' said Mr. Lacroix, noting the spillover effects of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. Last week, a Zambian peacekeeper was killed when suspected Sudanese armed elements opened fire on a MINUSCA patrol responding to reports of an attack against civilians in the north-east of the country. Mr. Lacroix also informed the Security Council of human rights and humanitarian concerns. Though progress has been made in advancing judicial accountability, notably by the Special Criminal Court, a lack of funding is expected to jeopardise the Court's operations by September. In addition, as urgent needs continue to outpace available resources, 'the humanitarian situation remains dire,' said Mr. Lacroix, calling for strong support for lifesaving humanitarian assistance. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UN warns of Sudanese conflict ‘spill over' in C.Africa
United Nations, US: The UN peacekeeping chief warned Thursday about potential spill over from Sudan's war to undermine nascent stability in the Central African Republic, including paramilitary operations. Last week, an armed group attacked a patrol by the UN mission in the CAR, killing a Zambian peacekeeper. Among the world's poorest countries, the CAR shares a border with Sudan, which has been plunged into devastating conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix highlighted the armed group attacking the CAR mission during a Security Council meeting Thursday, and a report released by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's office noted attacks in the region as well. 'The security situation remains fragile in border areas,' Lacroix told the UN Security Council, referring to the CAR. 'In the northeast, on the border with Sudan, instability is characterized by the overflow of Sudanese conflict, including incursions by armed groups,' he added. The Central African Republic is also reckoning with rising numbers of Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict, with the UN report estimating 36,642 living in the country as of June 1. 'The Sudanese conflict is a real threat. Armed groups are crossing our borders, recruiting young people and compromising our sovereignty,' said CAR UN ambassador Marius Aristide Hoja Nzessioue. Lacroix said the Central African Republic was at a 'delicate juncture,' adding that support for the progress made toward upcoming elections from the international community 'remains essential.' 'If these efforts are Central African Republic has the potential to become a true success story — not only for Central Africans, but also for Peacekeeping and for this Security Council,' Lacroix said.
