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Tag: Antonio Guterres

  • DR Congo: Killing of 14 peacekeepers,worst attack in recent times -UN

    DR Congo: Killing of 14 peacekeepers,worst attack in recent times -UN

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the killing of at least 14 peacekeepers in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),describing it as the “worst attack” on UN peacekeepers in recent history.

    The UN in a statement said late Thursday, the Company Operating Base of the UN Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) at Semuliki in Beni territory, North Kivu, was attacked by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements.

    The attack resulted in a protracted fighting between the suspected armed group elements and MONUSCO and Armed Forces of the DRC, known by the French acronym, FARDC.

    “These deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute a war crime” the Secretary-General said, adding: “I condemn this attack unequivocally.”

    He called on the DRC authorities to investigate the incident and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The UN chief stressed: “There must be no impunity for such assaults, here or anywhere else.”

    He also said that the attack was another indication of the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping operations around the world and acknowledged the sacrifices made by troop contributing countries in the service of global peace.

    “These brave women and men are putting their lives on the line every day across the world to serve peace and to protect civilians,” he noted.

    Guterres offered condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and a speedy recovery to those injured.

    He also informed that military reinforcements, including the Force Commander from MONUSCO, had arrived on the scene and medical evacuation of casualties was ongoing.

    The volatile North Kivu region, located in eastern DRC, has witnessed a number of attacks on UN peacekeeping forces.

    In October, two UN ‘blue helmets’ were killed and another 18 were injured their base was attacked by the ADF armed group.

  • UN chief to raise $1bn donor contributions for Nigeria, others

    UN chief to raise $1bn donor contributions for Nigeria, others

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for one billion dollars donor contributions to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to fund life-saving works in Nigeria and other countries.

    Guterred said at a pledging conference in New York that over the past 12 years, CERF has been at the forefront of humanitarian response.

    CERF is a pool of funding that supports critical relief operations in crises around the world.

    – as humanitarian needs have increased from $5.2 billion in 2005 to over $24 billion today.

    The UN chief thanked the 126 Member States and Observers, and the other donors who have generously contributed to the fund since its creation in 2005.

    “CERF is without question one of our most important tools to reach people quickly and save lives,” the UN chief added.

    This year, CERF, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has funded life-saving work, allocating nearly 130 million dollars to help prevent famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

    The fund also supported relief responses in other places, including for Palestine refugees in Gaza,  Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, and those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean.

    Guterres then announced a CERF allocation of 100 million dollars to meet critical needs in nine underfunded emergencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mali, Philippines, Eritrea, Haiti and Pakistan.

    Protracted conflict and the impact of natural disasters, compounded by structural fragility and chronic vulnerability, meant that more people than ever before survive on the brink of disaster, he said.

    “In 2018, protracted crises are likely to continue, while the impact of climate change is likely to grow and intensify.

    “There is no sign of a let-up in humanitarian needs,” the UN chief said, noting that this was why the General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2016 calling for an expansion of CERF’s annual funding target from 450 million dollars to one billion dollars.

    According to him, the global humanitarian funding gap stands at 11 billion dollars as of Nov. 30 and humanitarian response plans are funded at an average of just 60 per cent.

    The Secretary-General stressed that aone  billion dollars CERF would help to bolster contingency financing.

    “One billion dollar is an ambitious but achievable goal,” he said adding, “a strong United Nations needs a strong CERF.”

  • Abolish death penalty, UN chief tells world leaders

    Abolish death penalty, UN chief tells world leaders

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called on all countries which have not forbidden the extreme practice of death penalty to urgently stop executions.

    Guterres said at an event at the UN Headquarters in New York that the death penalty had done  little to deter crimes.

    “The death penalty has no place in the 21st century,” Guterres underscored, speaking alongside Andrew Gilmour, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.

    He welcomed that some 170 countries have either abolished death penalty and put a moratorium on its use, most recently, Gambia and Madagascar.

    Guterres added that executions in 2016 were down 37 per cent compared to that of 2015.

    The UN chief, however, added that at present just four countries accounted for 87 per cent of all recorded executions.

    He also expressed concern that the countries that continued executions were also failing to meet their international obligations, particular in relation to transparency and compliance with international human rights standards.

    “Some governments conceal executions and enforce an elaborate system of secrecy to hide who is on death row, and why.”

    Guterres said lack of transparency showed a lack of respect for the human rights of those sentenced to death and to their families as well as damaging administration of justice more.

    He urged nation-states that had abolished death penalty to lend their voices to the call on the leaders of those countries that retained it.

    According to him, this is to establish an official moratorium with a view to abolition as soon as possible.

    Also, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR ) called on all countries to strengthen efforts to abolish death penalty.

    “We call on all states to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Rupert Colville, a spokesperson for OHCHR, said.

    The Second Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ( ICCPR ) now ratified by 85 states around the globe, requires its parties to abolish death penalty.

    ICCPR is the only universal international legal instrument that aims to end the practice.

    NAN

  • UNGA: Nigeria signs Nuclear Weapons prohibition treaty

    UNGA: Nigeria signs Nuclear Weapons prohibition treaty

    Nigeria has signed the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty, joining dozens of other countries that signed the treaty to ban nuclear weapons amid tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, signed the treaty on behalf of Nigeria on Wednesday at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the High-level UN General Assembly.

    After the signing ceremony, Onyeama told correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigeria was in support of the weapons-free world.

    He said “right from the early 60s, Nigeria has been a strong advocate of nuclear weapons prohibition and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

    “You may recall in the early 60s when France tested an atom bomb-related device in the Sahara and Nigeria cut diplomatic relations with France at the time.

    “Nigeria has always been a strong advocate of de-nuclearisation of the world. We are one of the main movers of this treaty.”

    The minister said it was unfortunate that countries with nuclear weapons saw them as deterrence and safeguarded their security.

    According to him, it will take great effort to really push and get a larger number of countries to accede to the treaty, especially nuclear weapons states.

    Nuclear Weapons
    Nuclear Weapons

    He urged countries that signed the treaty, Civil Society Organisations and intergovernmental organisations to convince others to accede to the treaty.

    The foreign affairs minister stressed that “the point made was that even if those nuclear weapons states were
    not ready to sign, they should at least take measures to ensure there was no accidental use or deliberate use of nuclear weapons.”

    The treaty would enter into force 90 days after 50 countries ratified it, while Nigeria was due to deposit its ratification soon.

    The UN had in July adopted Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty in a majority vote by 122 countries, leading toward total elimination of nuclear weapons, while 60 countries boycotted.

    With the adoption of the treaty, nuclear weapons now joined all other weapons of mass destruction
    already prohibited.

    Nigeria, together with Ireland, Austria, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa played leadership roles in bringing forward the UN resolution convening the Diplomatic Conference that negotiated the ground-breaking treaty.

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, said it was sad that “there were countries that still have nuclear weapons and refused to give them up”.

    Bande pointed out that resources spent in maintaining nuclear weapons could better be used in other development projects.

    According to him, those regions with nuclear weapons has continued to be unstable, citing India and Pakistan and Israel and their neighbours.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as he opened the treaty for signing “because there remain some 15,000 nuclear weapons in existence.

    “We cannot allow these doomsday weapons to endanger our world and our children’s future.”

    U.S. President Donald Trump told the 193-member UN General Assembly on Tuesday that if threatened, the U.S. would “totally destroy” North Korea and its 26 million people.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address to the UN, said the most pressing threat to international peace and security was accelerated nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea.

    Buhari, therefore, urged that necessary pressure and diplomatic efforts be brought to bear on North Korea to accept a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

    “Nigeria proposes a strong UN delegation to urgently engage the North Korean Leader. The delegation, led by the Security Council, should include members from all the regions,” Buhari said.

  • UN: Netanyahu bows hot as secretary-general makes first regional trip

    UN: Netanyahu bows hot as secretary-general makes first regional trip

    Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a scathing criticism of the UN on Monday as the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, began his first visit to the country.

    At the opening remarks of Netanyahu’s meeting with the UN chief, the prime minister accused the UN of failing to prevent arms shipments to the Shiite militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

    He added, that Iran is seeking to open a front against Israel on the Lebanese and Syrian borders.

    “[Iran] is also building sites to produce precision-guided missiles towards that end in both Syria and in Lebanon.

    “This is something Israel cannot accept. This is something the UN should not accept,” Netanyahu said, without offering specifics.

    Iran and Hezbollah are fighting alongside Syrian President ‘s government in the Syrian civil war, which has killed hundreds of thousands.

    The prime minister added that he believes the UN has an “absurd obsession” with his country.

  • Youth critical to creating peaceful world – UN chief

    Youth critical to creating peaceful world – UN chief

    The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said on Saturday the world’s 1.2 billion young people can play a critical role in creating a peaceful world for generations to come.

    Guterres, in his International Youth Day message, underscored UN’s commitment to young people’s development.

    He said: “I’m truly happy to address you on International Youth Day. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I am committed to the empowerment and inclusion of every young person around the world.

    “I have appointed an impressive new youth envoy and governments must work with young people to successfully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “Empowered young men and women can play a critical role in preventing conflicts and ensuring sustainable peace.”

    He introduced 26-year old Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka as the youngest and “one of the most important’’ members of his team.

    The UN chief urged youth participants at the day to join the Youth Envoy in mobilising young people, saying “together, we can create a peaceful world for generations to come.’’

    NAN

  • UN condemns Borno suicide attacks

    UN condemns Borno suicide attacks

    The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday condemned Monday’s suicide attacks on two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    A statement issued by Guterres deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said the UN scribe expressed concern over the terror acts.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday confirmed the death of four persons after suicide bombers attacked IDPs camps  in Maiduguri.

    The agency said 15 other IDPs were wounded when a male suicide bomber infiltrated one of the camps and detonated the explosive strapped to his body

    It said a female suicide bomber was shot by security men while trying to cross the perimeter fence of the second IDP camp.

    Guterres expressed concern that the attacks were targeted at people who had already fled their homes as a result of Boko Haram violence.

    The UN chief extended his condolences to the people and government of Nigeria for the loss of lives.

    He wished the wounded persons quick recovery and called for prosecution of those behind the attacks.

    NAN

     

  • UN sues for increased peace, diplomacy in Nigeria

    UN sues for increased peace, diplomacy in Nigeria

    The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, has called for a surge in diplomacy for peace and for a new emphasis on preventing conflicts in Nigeria and the world in general.

    Guterres made the call in a statement made available by the National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Oluseyi Soremekun.

    The Secretary General was quoted as saying this in a message to the Lagos Model United Nations (LMUN) 2017 organised by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in collaboration with UNIC Lagos.

    Guterres’ message was delivered by UNIC Lagos Knowledge Management Assistant, Ms Bolanle Olumekor.

    The LMUN with the theme, “Innovation, Development, and Diversity for Global Sustainability” was attended by 200 delegates from 14 Universities in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    “We are also working to improve living conditions everywhere through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    “All parents want a better life for their children.  All religions value peace.  All communities thrive when they value diversity.

    “Today people around the world are inter-connected.  Conflict, environmental destruction, poverty and injustice affect everyone.  We have to work in common cause for our common humanity,” Guterres said.

    He urged the delegates to follow the UN social media accounts and stay fully engaged in their communities.

    “Together, let us create a more compassionate, inclusive and peaceful world,” he said.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama in a message noted that the LMUN was “essential in preparing our minds on the need to achieve global peace and prosperity through your simulation of global actions by modelling the UN through your Committees.”

    The Minister explained that simulation in communication skills, diplomacy, public speaking, resolution writing, international law and politics as well as trade relations would assist in understanding the overall objectives of the UN.

    He said that it would also assist in understanding its rules of procedure and its modus operandi, adding that the future of Nigeria and the world rested in the ability of the delegates to succeed in reinventing the wheel positively.

    He said that this was also “to actively challenge old traditions and models that do not necessarily translate into this era, to explore the ways they can marshal the amount of time spent with technology for good”.

    The Dean, Faculty of Law of UNILAG, Prof Ayodele Atsenuwa, thanked the UNIC and other partners for ensuring the success of the event.

    Atsenuwa emphasised the commitment of the student-organisers for their drive.

    The Secretary General of the LMUN, Mr Aliu Gabriel, in his message, urged delegates during committee sessions to foster innovative ideas towards addressing some of the prevailing issues around the world.

  • South Sudan: UN chief warns leaders to end civil war

    South Sudan: UN chief warns leaders to end civil war

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres says South Sudan’s leaders must end the civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

    Guterres, who made the remarks when he visited South Sudanese refugees in Uganda on the sidelines of the ‘Solidarity Summit’ to raise 2.2 billion dollars for the refugees emergency, urged the world to show solidarity.

    “It is time for the war to end. It is time for all the leaders of South Sudan to understand that they need to stop this war.

    “Peace in South Sudan is a must for these people to be able to have a future,” the Secretary-General said.

    The UN chief expressed gratitude for the efforts made by the Heads of State of the region, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and by the UN to help create the conditions for peace to be re-established.

    “At the same time, I cannot forget that twelve years ago I was here, in June, in this same place.

    “I was marking World Refugee Day with South Sudanese refugees that were singing with joy because they were going back home soon,” Guterres, who was then UN High Commissioner for Refugees, regretted.

    He said he had later accompanied many of the refugees across the border with the hope that the their new country would live in peace.

    “Unfortunately, that had not been the case. South Sudan’s leaders ‘do not deserve the people of their country,” Guterres said, stressing that the South Sudanese people have been suffering enormously “in an endless war”.

    He lauded Uganda’s hosting almost one million South Sudanese refugees “as sisters and brothers and sharing with them their land and everything they have.”

    He urged the international community to show solidarity with those that had fled their homes, as well as with the Ugandan Government and people.

    “In a world where so many people are selfishly closing their doors, closing their borders, not allowing refugees to come, this example deserves praise and admiration from the whole international community,” Guterres said.

    The UN chief visited the Imvepi Refugee Reception Centre in the Arua district of northern Uganda, the first stop for many South Sudanese refugees once they crossed the border into Uganda.

    The camp, which opened in February this year, is already filling up, hosting some 120,000 refugees, mostly women and children, fleeing violence and instability in the neighbouring country.

    In just the past year, the overall refugee population in Uganda has more than doubled from 500,000 to more than 1.25 million, making the East African country host to the world’s fastest growing refugee emergency.

    The UN chief pointed out that at the ‘Solidarity Summit’ on Friday, the international community would have the opportunity to express its solidarity, “responding to our appeal for massive financial support, both for humanitarian aid for the refugees”.

    “But also for the investments necessary for the education system, the health system, the infrastructure, the [local] environment, to be able to cope with this enormous challenge”.

    The ‘Solidarity Summit,’ which opened on Thursday in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and is expected to wrap up on Friday.

    It was co-hosted by Uganda and the UN to rally international support for refugees and host communities in the form of donations, investments and innovative programmes.

  • UN chief express sadness over death of 62 people in Portugal

    UN chief express sadness over death of 62 people in Portugal

    The UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed sadness over the death of 62 people in the wildfires fires that hit the Pedrógão Grande region of Portugal on Sunday.

    Guterres, in a statement issued on Sunday, condoled the Portuguese Government and people, saying he was “shocked and horrified” at the many lives claimed by the raging wildfires.

    Portugal has declared three days of mourning as 62 people were declared killed by the fire, most of them trapped in their cars by flames as treacherous wind drove the blaze beyond firefighters control.

    The government has declared Sunday through Tuesday national days of mourning for the victims of a fire “which has caused an irreparable loss of human life”, with casualties expected to rise.

    Guterres said he spoke earlier on Sunday with the President of Portugal, Marcelo de Sousa, and with the Prime Minister, António Costa, expressing his deep sadness.

    According to reports, the fast-moving wildfires ripped through the forested Pedrógão Grande central region of Portugal, some 150 kilometers (95 miles) northeast of Lisbon, leaving dozens dead and more injured.

    “I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. At this time of loss, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims,” Guterres said.

    The UN chief commended the efforts of  government agencies, firefighters, emergency responders and civil society organizations that are sparing no efforts to battle the wildfire and help people in need.

    “The UN stands ready to assist in any way possible,” the Secretary-General concluded.