Africa

The mandate of the United Nations political mission in Guinea-Bissau, which last year underwent a military coup, should be adjusted to support a two-phase process for the full restoration of constitutional order and medium-term stability in the country, according to a report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented to the Security Council today.

29 April 2013 – The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today welcomed a peace deal between the Government of South Sudan and local militia groups, adding that it remained ready to assist the country as it moved forward in establishing a lasting peace.

The UN Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution to create a UN peacekeeping force for Mali.

The United Nations and other partners in an international group working to support the peace efforts in Sudan’s Darfur region have condemned recent attacks in the troubled region and cautioned that any serious delays to carrying out the 2011 peace agreement could further destabilize the entire region.

Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement led by Mohamed Basher (JEM-Bashar) on Sunday initialled an agreement on three important files, announced the joint mediation.

Sudan's defence minister has extended an offer to hold direct talks with Southern rebels, paving the way for dialogue between the two groups for the first time.

In spite of the explanations provided by United Nations (UN) officials, who emphasised that MONUSCO's mandate is to protect civilians and not take part in fighting between warring parties, this situation generated an outcry both within and outside the country. Many failed to understand why the largest UN peacekeeping operation in the world, deployed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, was not making use of its capabilities to stop the advancing rebels.