Latest news with #Peacekeepers
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.
Hamilton Spectator
16-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Temperature rises on Kahnawake roadwork woes
A major Public Works project on Old Chateauguay Road has become a flashpoint in the push-and-pull between community safety fears and the need to facilitate the flow of visitors and locals, with Council and public safety officials left searching for solutions. 'It's definitely not easy. There are about five competing interests,' said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo, mentioning Kahnawa'kehró:non worried about non-locals taking back roads, the need to complete ongoing work that requires detours, local businesses, tourism, and even those who aren't concerned. 'We're trying to balance all those different groups, and try to figure out is there a way we can figure out a middle ground on all of them, where nobody is truly happy but it's sort of the compromise at the end of the day to try to get as much even footing as possible.' The work, which involves replacing water and sewer lines while repaving and adding better drainage systems to the road, began in late April. While frustrations have mounted for weeks over the project because of an increase in non-local traffic on side streets, reports of Kahnawa'kehró:non confronting non-locals over security concerns culminated on Sunday with a confrontation that got physical when a non-local driver punched the arm of a local woman through his car window. That incident happened near the OCR and Old Malone Highway and involved several area residents who blocked the road. 'People have taken matters into their own hands, stopping non-locals that are using the OCR. Basically that's one of the main issues at this point,' said Jody Diabo, spokesperson for the Kahnawake Peacekeepers, adding that tensions were exacerbated over the weekend by an influx of vehicles going to a butcher shop on the OCR that offers halal meat, coinciding with Eid al-Adha. 'People shouldn't be taking matters into their own hands. They should call us and we can take care of it,' said Jody, who also noted the importance of following traffic rules. Cody and three other MCK chiefs spoke with leaders from the Kahnawake Peacekeepers, Public Safety, and Public Works on Sunday to try to hash out solutions, with the Council table following up with a discussion on Monday, but it still remains to be seen what measures may be taken. One tool that has been in effect already for many years is Peacekeepers' surveillance at the end of the OCR in the mornings to ensure drivers coming from Chateauguay have a legitimate need to access Kahnawake and are not simply trying to avoid highway traffic. According to Jody, this is business as usual for the Peacekeepers. 'We continue to do what we've been doing,' said Jody. However, at least one Kahnawa'kehró:non has reported being hassled at the entrypoint to the community in a way he has not experienced before. Jody said even Kahnawa'kehró:non need to stop when Peacekeepers are on site because of a need to verify who they are. While the focus is on navigating the construction-related closures on the OCR, the question calls to mind the oft-invoked debate around community check points, which some have called for as a solution to incursions of non-locals, while others dismiss the proposal as impractical and rife with potential negative side effects. 'I think that's definitely something really worth looking into. It's not something to easily just say 'oh we can't have it.' Obviously, I think small businesses are really key to any type of economy and growing as a community,' said Cody. 'I think we have to find a way how we can satisfy the public safety concerns but also allowing businesses still to thrive and function.' Even though there are not a lot of businesses on the OCR, checkpoints could still have a negative impact, he said. He also noted that Peacekeepers chief Dwayne Zacharie pointed out that Kahnawake has dozens of entrances in different areas of the community, more than there are Peacekeepers. 'It's a vast area to say you have to keep an eye on,' Cody said. He mentioned, as one possibility, that Zacharie had suggested a type of license plate sticker that could be distributed to community members to easily demonstrate that they are from Kahnawake. This sticker cannot be transferred to another plate without being destroyed. Besides that, officials are planning to install more signage, so that drivers will be warned of the constructions from much further away, hopefully deterring them from coming near. One potentially significant development is a request to Waze by MCK transport coordinator David Lahache that people not be led by the app down unsanctioned side streets. All the officials who spoke to The Eastern Door agreed that the prevalence of GPS apps is one reason for so much traffic being diverted on streets people shouldn't be on. Public Safety commissioner Lloyd Phillips acknowledged the construction work is an inconvenience and urged people to report concerns to the proper channels, such as the Peacekeepers, rather than getting involved personally. 'We don't want to have community members getting in any altercations with people from the outside,' he said. He acknowledged dangers stemming from more cars weaving through Kahnawake's residential areas, saying that measures will be aimed at mitigating these perils while aiming to avoid amplifying inconveniences. 'Obviously there's an increased risk of accidents. Primarily our concern is for the youth, or somebody having an accident with a pedestrian. Those are some of the worst-case scenarios and the biggest concerns, so we want to minimize the road as much as possible with enforcement and ensure the people who do need to use it are obeying the speed limits,' he said. Nevertheless, the project is an important one to accommodate, he noted. 'It's all in a way to ensure we minimize inconveniences and address any safety concerns from our community. It's not as simple as it sounds. As the grand chief said, we're trying to balance protecting our community as well as there's people that require use of that road.' Construction on the OCR is expected to continue until the end of November. marcus@ Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . 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Eyewitness News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
African countries must work together for peace: Defence Minister Motshekga
JOHANNESBURG - Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said it was important for African countries to work together to bring peace to war-torn countries on the continent. She reiterated the call to foster stability in conflict-ridden regions during the annual global commemoration of the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers in De Brug Army Base in Bloemfontein on Thursday. All the fallen soldiers who fought in peacekeeping missions since 1948 were honoured in a wreath-laying ceremony globally. The country has also honoured the 14 soldiers who recently died in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "And as Africa, we are the epicentre of instability in the world. And so it's for us as Africans to work together to stabilise our problems for the sake of our children and for the sake of our future. And everybody has a responsibility to make sure that we don't become this continent with all its wealth that becomes this epicentre of which we are," said Motshekga.
Eyewitness News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
General Maphwanya: SANDF undeterred and committed to ensure peace prevails in Africa
JOHANNESBURG - The chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) , General Rudzani Maphwanya, has reaffirmed the defence force's commitment to ensure peace and stability in war-ridden regions. He addressed the annual global commemoration of the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers in De Brug Army Base in Bloemfontein on Thursday. Soldiers who died in various peacekeeping missions were honoured during a wreath-laying ceremony, with the most recent being the 14 soldiers who died in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). READ: SANDF to honour 14 soldiers who died in DRC on UN Peacekeeping Day General Maphwanya said their commitment to the mission would not be forgotten. " We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and comrades of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage and selfless commitment to peace remain an inspiration. As the chief of the South African National Defence Force and the entire members of the National Defence Force, we remain undeterred and committed to working with like-minded forces to ensure peace prevails in our continent."
Arab News
29-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
International UN Peacekeepers Day: Pakistan remembers 181 of its own lost in line of duty
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan joined the international community in celebrating the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers today, Thursday, the prime minister's office said in a message, paying tribute to 181 Pakistanis who had been killed in the line of duty. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, May 29, is 'an international day to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.' 'In the seven-decade history of UN peacekeeping missions, more than 235,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have rendered distinguished service in 48 UN missions around the world,' PM Shehbaz Sharif said in a message. '181 Pakistani peacekeepers have made the eternal sacrifice of their lives in achieving international peace and security.' Sharif said the international day was an opportune occasion to review the many challenges facing UN peacekeeping, such as increasingly unilateral policies, financial sanctions, growing threats to the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, targeting of UN peacekeeping operations based on disinformation, and the destabilizing effects of new and emerging technologies. In an effort to address these challenges, Pakistan, along with the Republic of Korea, co-hosted the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad last month with the theme, 'Towards a Safer and More Effective Peace: Using Technology and an Integrated Approach'. Pakistan also hosts the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), one of the oldest UN peacekeeping missions, tasked with monitoring the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the UN-recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The date, May 29, for the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, marks the anniversary of the creation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in 1948 to monitor the ceasefire after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which was the first ever UN peacekeeping mission.
