Latest news with #SecurityCouncil
Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Global praise for Qatar, US efforts to help secure Rwanda-DR Congo peace pact
QNA New York The international community has welcomed the successful mediation efforts led by Qatar and the US in securing a landmark peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a critical step toward ending years of violence in the region. Global leaders and institutions have praised Qatar and the US for their constructive diplomacy, emphasizing their roles in building trust between the parties. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has commended the efforts made by Qatar and the US to facilitate the peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Guterres said the accord is 'a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region.' He urged the parties to fully implement the commitments they made in the peace agreement, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2773 (2025), including the cessation of hostilities and all other agreed measures. He affirmed that the United Nations, including the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is fully committed to supporting the implementation of the agreement, in close coordination with the African Union and regional and international partners. Likewise, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has praised the diplomatic efforts and constructive role played by Qatar and the US in facilitating the signing of a peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Saudi Arabia said it hopes the agreement will fulfill the aspirations of both nations for development and prosperity, and contribute to enhancing regional and international peace and security. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates expressed its appreciation for the tireless efforts made by Qatar and the United States to sign the peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, praised the tireless efforts of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and President of the United States Donald Trump in achieving this positive and constructive achievement. He stressed that the agreement reflects the strong will and commitment of both parties to peaceful solutions and dialogue. Sheikh Shakhbout stressed that the international cooperation that resulted in this agreement reflects the importance of joint action in addressing regional issues and the necessity of resolving disputes through diplomatic means, in a manner that meets the aspirations of the peoples of the region for stability and prosperity. Meanwhile, The Kingdom of Belgium expressed its appreciation for the tireless efforts made by Qatar and the US to facilitate signing the peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a post on his official X account today, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost welcomed the signing of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, which took place in Washington, praising the courage of the two neighboring countries in choosing the path of peace. The Belgian Foreign Minister stressed that the effective implementation of the commitments contained in the agreement is a crucial element for achieving lasting peace in the Great Lakes region after years of tension and conflict. Lilewise, The Sultanate of Oman welcomed the peace agreement signed between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while praising the constructive efforts made by Qatar and the US in reaching the agreement that would sustain peace between the two countries. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, the Sultanate of Oman praised the effective role of all parties in promoting dialogue and diplomacy as a means of resolving conflicts and disputes. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed the peace agreement in Washington, D.C., raising hopes for an end to the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands since the beginning of this year. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the foreign ministers of both countries at the US Department of State for the official signing, following the initialing of the draft agreement on June 18 in Washington. The signing came after three days of constructive, purposeful, and candid dialogue.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Illegal, terrorist in nature': Iran Drags Netanyahu, Trump To U.N. Over 'Assassinate Khamenei' Plot
Amir Saeid Iravani, the Iranian ambassador to the UN, submitted a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Security Council, and General Assembly President regarding threats made by the United States and Israel against the leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The threats, he said, were "terror-inciting" and "unlawful." Watch this video to know more.
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
‘A Moral Failure': Security Council Hears About Grave Violations Against Children Caught In War
'From that day on, our home became a travel bag and our path became that of displacement … My childhood was filled with fear and anxiety and people I was deprived of,' she said, speaking via videoconference from Syria. Sila, now 17, described her experiences during the Syrian Civil War to a meeting of the UN Security Council held on Wednesday to discuss the findings of the Secretary-General's latest report on Children and Armed Conflict. The report documented a 25 per cent increase in grave violations against children in 2024, the largest number ever recorded in its 20-year history. ' This year's report from the Secretary-General once again confirms what too many children already know — that the world is failing to protect them from the horrors of war,' said Sheema Sen Gupta, director of child protection at the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Seema Sen Gupta, director of child protection and migration at UNICEF, briefs the Security Council. 'Each violation against children in every country around the globe represents a moral failure.' The real scale of the harm The report presented to the Security Council is published annually to document grave violations against children affected by war. It relies entirely on data compiled and verified by the UN, meaning that the real numbers are likely much higher than reported. In 2024, the report documented a record 41,370 grave violations — including killing and maiming, rape, abduction and the targeting of infrastructure such as schools which supports children. 'Each child struck by these attacks carries a story, a stolen life, a dream interrupted, a future obscured by senseless violence and protracted conflict,' said Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, whose office produced the report. Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, briefs the Security Council. While many of these violations occurred during times of conflict — especially as urban warfare is on the rise — grave violations can persist even after a conflict ends. They persist in the unexploded ordinances which still pepper the ground. 'Every unexploded shell left in a field, schoolyard, or alley is a death sentence waiting to be triggered,' said Ms. Sen Gupta. They persist in the spaces which remain destroyed, impeding children from accessing healthcare and education. And they persist in the trauma and injuries which never fully leave a child. Scars that never heal Children who survive the grave violations do not escape unscathed — if they suffered violence, the injuries will stay with them for a lifetime. And even if they were not injured, the trauma remains. 'The physical and psychological scars borne by survivors last a lifetime, affecting families, communities and the very fabric of societies,' said Ms. Gamba. This is why UNICEF and its partners have worked to provide reintegration programmes and psychosocial support for children who are victims of grave violations. Sila said that the trauma of her childhood is still with her, and has pushed her to become an advocate for children in conflicts. 'From that moment on, nothing has felt normal in my life. I've developed a phobia of any sound that resembles a plane, of the dark, and even of silence,' she said. 'This cannot be the new normal' Ms. Gamba called for 'unwavering condemnation and urgent action' from the international community in order to reverse the worrying trends which the report details. ' We cannot afford to return to the dark ages where children were invisible and voiceless victims of armed conflict … Please do not allow them to slip back into the shadows of despair,' she said. Current funding cuts to humanitarian aid are impeding the work of UN agencies and partners to document and respond to grave violations against children. In light of this, Ms. Sen Gupta's call for the Security Council was simple: 'Fund this agenda.' She said that the international community cannot allow this to become 'a new normal,' and reminded the members of the Security Council that children are not and should never be 'collateral damage.' Despite the devastation which the report detailed, there were 'glimmers of hope' according to Ms. Sen Gupta. For example, the Syrian National Army signed an action plan which will prevent the recruitment, killing and maiming of children. Sila also spoke of hope — she hopes that hers is the last generation to suffer these grave violations. 'I am from a generation that survived. Physically,' she said. 'Our bodies survived but our hearts are still living in fear. Please help us replace the word displacement with return, the word rubble with home, the word war with life.'
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UN: Sudan Conflict could spill into CAR
The civil war in Sudan is beginning to spill over into neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), raising fresh security concerns in a country already grappling with internal conflict, the United Nations warned on Thursday. UN Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Security Council that an attack which killed a UN peacekeeper near CAR's northeastern border last Friday was carried out by 'armed Sudanese elements.' It was the first official attribution of the assault to fighters linked to the ongoing Sudanese conflict. Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal power struggle since April 2023 between the country's military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has killed at least 24,000 people, displaced over 13 million, and left much of the country on the brink of famine and disease, including a growing cholera outbreak. Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes. Lacroix noted that while there have been gains in integrating some armed factions into CAR's peace process, violence by rebel groups continues to jeopardize stability, particularly along the country's fragile borders. 'The security situation remains tenuous in border areas in the northeast,' he said. 'Instability in the region bordering Sudan is being driven by the spillover from the Sudanese conflict.'
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
World War III: A Continental Response
General view of a Security Council Meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict at United Nations headquarters on June 24, 2025 in New York. The Israeli government said it had agreed to the US-proposed ceasefire after achieving all of its objectives in the war with Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing a "historic victory". Armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said Israel's strikes had set back Iran's nuclear programme "by years" while Netanyahu vowed to thwart "any attempt" by Iran to rebuild it. The world is experiencing escalating conflicts rippling across the Middle East, Eurasia, Asia, and Africa. In a dramatic escalation, the US (United States) launched missile strikes at Iran targeting suspected nuclear facilities–triggered by Israel's confrontation with Iran. Weeks of crossfire between the two countries saw the US involved noting its longstanding nuclear policy towards Iran, North Korea, and Iraq. The flames of war are fanned by hostilities and changing global alliances, threatening to ignite multiple conflicts globally. In the Middle-East, Iran has responded to the US by launching an attack on its US base in Al Udeid, Qatar. Preceding this attack, Gulf countries–Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain have been engaging in coordinated response drills. Due to rising regional security tensions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has taken the precaution of partially activating its emergency response centre. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer under Israeli military actions, with Iran backing Hamas in a manner comparable to Israel's support for the Iranian dissident group, the People's Mujahedin of Iran. In Asia, the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has intensified, with Iran's ties to Shia militias and Israel's cooperation with India subtly shaping the broader regional dynamics. In the days following the exchanges between Iran and Israel, oil prices surged between 7-11 percent following initial strikes. One third of the world's seaborne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Prolonged disruption would add $500 Billion to the Asian continent's annual import bill. China has emphasised diplomacy calling for international efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Iran. Africa is facing a multitude of challenges as the Iran-Israel-US war progresses. Brent crude prices are set to skyrocket due to disruptions faced in the Strait of Hormuz. Refined import to countries such as Kenya, Ghana, and Senegal are also impacted. The continent remains divided over the Iran-Israel-US conflict, with some countries like Algeria, Sudan (pre-normalisation), and South Africa–contemplating the closure of its Israeli Embassy–historically leaning toward Iran often citing solidarity with Palestine. In contrast, others such as Morocco, Egypt, and Kenya maintain strong security and economic ties with the US and, in some cases, formal or informal relations with Israel. The war between Russia and Ukraine has been a major source of instability in Eurasia. Iran has supported Russia with its war against Ukraine–diplomatically and militarily–mirroring the US and Europe's support for Ukraine. As Netenyahu warns the US of an Iranian threat, Zelensky has warned that Russia may soon expand its military operations across Europe, prompting the continent to prepare for possible escalation. In the Americas, the US has ramped up preparations for a potential military confrontation with China and Russia and its recent attack on Iran serves as a clear warning to its geopolitical rivals. Sanctioned Cuba, a long-time ally of both Iran and Russia, condemned the US for escalating tensions in the Middle East. Further south, Brazil is set to host the upcoming BRICS summit, where peacebuilding and diplomatic solutions are expected to top the agenda. The Iran-Israel conflict has rapidly evolved into a global crisis with far-reaching consequences. In the Middle East, military engagements and regional defence coordination have intensified. Asia faces possible economic shocks due to energy disruptions, while African allegiance is divided grappling with fuel shortages and diplomatic fractures. Eurasia remains on edge from the enduring war in Ukraine. The Americas are divided—between US militarism and Latin American ambivalence. This moment underscores the collapse of isolated conflicts in favour of a deeply interconnected world, heightening the risk of global insecurity. Cole Jackson Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Chinese & Latin American Specialist ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
