The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UN

  • UN is a house of lies – Israeli PM

    UN is a house of lies – Israeli PM

    Israel Prime Minister,  Benjamin Netanyahu, described the United Nations as a “house of lies” ahead of a vote on Thursday on a draft resolution calling on the United States to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

    “The State of Israel totally rejects this vote, even before (the resolution‘s) approval,” Netanyahu said in a speech at a hospital dedication in the port city of Ashdod.

    The 193-member UN General Assembly will hold a rare emergency special session on Thursday at the request of Arab and Muslim countries to vote on the draft resolution, which the U.S. vetoed on Monday in the 15-member UN Security Council.

    Generating outrage from Palestinians and the Arab and Muslim world, and concern among Washington’s Western allies, President Donald Trump abruptly reversed decades of U.S. policy on December 6 when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

    Palestinians have protested daily in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip since Trump’s announcement, throwing stones at security forces and burning tires.

    Read also: Netanyahu to attend ECOWAS Summit in Liberia

    Gaza militants have also launched sporadic rocket fire.

    Eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire during the demonstrations and dozens wounded, Palestinian health officials said.

    Two militants were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza after a rocket attack.

    Trump threatened on Wednesday to cut off financial aid to countries that vote in favour of the UN draft resolution, and his ambassador to the world body, Nikki Haley said the U.S. “will be taking names”.

    Netanyahu, in his speech, thanked Trump and Haley for “their brave and uncompromising stance”.

    He repeated his prediction that other countries would eventually follow Washington’s lead in pledging to move their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

    “The attitude towards Israel of many countries, on all continents, outside the walls of the UN, is changing and will ultimately permeate into the UN-the house of lies,” he said.

    Most countries regard the status of Jerusalem as a matter to be settled in an eventual Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, although that process is now stalled.

    Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there.

    Palestinians want the capital of an independent Palestinian state to be in the city’s eastern sector, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in a move never recognised internationally.

    Reuters/NAN

  • UN laments ambush of food supply in Borno

    UN laments ambush of food supply in Borno

    •Army: no UN worker died 

    The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has condemned “last Saturday’s ambush on a convoy carrying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected persons” in Borno State.

    Kallon, in a statement yesterday, said there were concerns that such attacks would affect the delivery of life-saving supplies to the region.

    It reads: “The armed ambush by a non-state group happened on the road between Dikwa and Gamboru, in Borno State, and resulted in the death of about four persons, and destruction of basic aid items.

    “Violence against convoys carrying humanitarian aid is unacceptable, and can result in concerning limitations in our ability to provide life-saving relief to those who need it the most.

    “We must ensure the safety of aid workers and aid convoys in the Northeast so people in need of assistance can access it on time.

    “Since January, despite major challenges, humanitarian operations in the Northeast have managed to assist over 5 million conflict-affected people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, including 3 million with food security interventions, 936,000 with nutritional support, 5 million with health care assistance, and over 1.3 million with safe drinking water.”

    A convoy of food trucks belonging to the World Food Programme of the United Nations was allegedly ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents. Foodstuffs were stolen and some UN workers were allegedly killed.

    But the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Roger Nicholas, in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Col. Nwachukwu, said: “Contrary to the news that four United Nations workers were killed, and four trucks conveying food for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were carted away, the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole wishes to state that the report grossly misrepresents the true situation of the incident.

    “None of the casualties have been identified as workers of the UN.

    “It is necessary to state that a patrol escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles to Logomani encountered an ambush at Maula village, on Dikwa-Ngala trans-Sahara highway, which resulted in a fire fight between troops and the insurgents.

    “The troops, however, overpowered the insurgents and killed six of them. Three AK 47 rifles, three locally-fabricated fire arms, four magazines and a belt of 7.62 mm ammunition were recovered.

    “Sadly, four persons died in the encounter, though none of them have been identified as workers of the UN.

    “The situation has been brought under control and further exploitation of the general area is being carried out by the Mobile Strike Team of Operation Lafiya Dole.”

     

  • UN worries over ambush of own food supply in Borno

    UN worries over ambush of own food supply in Borno

    The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has strongly condemned what he described as “the deadly ambush on a convoy carrying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected persons on Saturday 16 December, 2017” in Borno State Northeast Nigeria.

    Mr. Kallon in a Press Statement issued on Monday 18 December 2017 said there are grave concerns that such attacks will affect the supply and delivery of life-saving supplies to in need in the region, adding that, “The armed ambush by a non-state armed group took place on the road between Dikwa and Gamboru, in Borno State, and resulted in the reported loss of at least four civilian lives as well as the destruction of basic aid items initially destined to alleviate the suffering of thousands of women, children and men.

    “Violence against convoys carrying humanitarian aid is unacceptable and can result in concerning limitations in our ability to provide life-saving relief to those who need it the most,” said Mr. Edward Kallon. “We must ensure the safety of aid workers and aid convoys across the north-east of Nigeria, so people in need of assistance can access it in a timely manner and in sufficient quantity. Many lives are at risk,” Mr. Kallon said.

    The statement also explained that, “United Nations and its partners operate in the north-east of Nigeria in order to provide life-saving assistance to 6.9 million people affected by the brutal conflict. Humanitarian operations are carried out following the four basic humanitarian principles of operational independence, humanity, impartiality and neutrality and should be respected as such.

    “Since January 2017, despite major challenges, humanitarian operations in north-east Nigeria have managed to assist over 5 million conflict-affected people in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, including 3 million with food security interventions, 936,000 with nutritional support, 5 million with health care assistance, and over 1.3 million with safe drinking water,” the statement said.

    The Nation recalls that a convoy of food trucks belonging to World Food Program of the United Nation was allegedly ambushed by some Boko Haram insurgents, where loads of food were carted away and some people were killed including UN staff.

    But the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole Major. General Roger Nicholas through a statement signed by  Col Nwachukwu  Deputy Director Public Relations Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole said,  “Contrary to the information currently making the rounds in a section of the media that four United Nations staff had been killed and four trucks conveying food for internally displaced persons were carted away, the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole wishes to state that the report grossly misrepresents the true situation of the incident as none of the casualties in the encounter has been identified as a staff of the UN.

    “In setting the record straight, it is necessary to state here that a patrol escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles to Logomani encountered an ambush staged by elements of Boko Haram insurgents at Maula village along Dikwa-Ngala trans sahara highway which resulted in a firefight between troops and the insurgents. The troops however fought through the ambush, overpowered the insurgents and killed six of them. The troops also captured 3 AK 47 rifles, 3 locally fabricated fire arms, 4 magazines and a belt of 7.62 mm ammunition. Sadly four persons died in the encounter. Although none of the persons killed in the ambush has so far been identified as a staff of the UN, this Headquarters considers the lives of all citizens and indeed all humans sacrosanct, which must be protected by troops even at a supreme price.

    “The situation has been brought under control and further exploitation of the general area is currently being carried out by Mobile strike Team of Operation Lafiya Dole,” the statement said.

  • Nigeria demands restructuring and expansion of UN Security Council

    Nigeria demands restructuring and expansion of UN Security Council

    Nigeria has demanded an immediate restructuring and expansion of the UN Security Council to correct the injustices meted out against Africa in the composition of the prestigious 15-member body.

    Nigeria’s position was delivered by Amb. Babatunde Nurudeen, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS at the UN General Assembly Debate on ‘Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council’.

    The Security Council is UN’s most powerful principal organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, accepting new members to the UN and approving any changes to the UN Charter.

    Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, the authorisation of military action and it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

    Nurudeen regretted that 72 years after its formation, Africa continued to be marginalised in the representation on the prestigious body in spite of its ability and capacity.

    He stressed that a reformed Council would entail a restructuring and expansion of its membership to take account of, inter-alia, the increased membership of UN and the need to reflect the interests of all the constituent regions.

    The Nigerian envoy said: “Nigeria and other emerging nations continue to demonstrate the capacity to add value to the work, of all the organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.

    “For that reason, we must now commit ourselves to accelerating the long-overdue reforms of the Security Council. This will no doubt make the Council more equitable, more inclusive and more effective”.

    Russia, UK, France, China, and U.S. serve as the body’s only five permanent members that can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.

    Nurudeen stressed: “Nigeria believes that a reformed Security Council with expanded permanent membership would benefit from the unique experiences and capacities that regional representatives could bring to bear on its work.

    “Nigeria has always expressed its support for the advancement of the intergovernmental negotiations process in an open, inclusive and transparent manner”.

    The Nigerian envoy re-affirmed Nigeria’s very strong adherence to the Common African Union Position on the entire subject of Security Council reform.

    “That is important in order to correct the historical injustice done to the continent and its continued marginalisation over so many years.

    “For that reason, we wish to underscore the overriding need to ensure that the interests of Africa continue to be advanced and safeguarded.

    “African States have offered a coherent, practical and persuasive blueprint for the Council’s reform.

    “We have come up with a common position, which asserts the right of our continent that has for so long been marginalised, and we recognise the legitimate aspirations of other regions to be fully represented in the Council.

    According to him, the clear objective of the reform process is based on the sovereign equality of all Member States and on the need to adhere to the principles of democratisation and inclusiveness in the UN.

    “It is undoubtedly a worthwhile process. Therefore, we must muster the desired will that can lead to the achievement of a reformed Security Council sooner rather than indefinitely,” Nurudeen said.

    NAN

  • UN to spend $13.4m in Northeast

    UN to spend $13.4m in Northeast

    The United Nations, through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), will spend $13.4 million to help thousands of children, women and men in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in the Northeast.

    The humanitarian emergency in the Northeast is one of the most severe in the world, with about 8.5 million people in need of aid in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    The NHF allocation will finance 24 projects in protection, nutrition, water and sanitation, health, education, shelter and non-food items, rapid response and early recovery, targeting 950,000 people.

    In line with commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit, five local responders are being supported through direct funding. By empowering national partners, a more integrated and localised response will be possible, and their capacity will also be strengthened.

    The Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said: “Humanitarian needs in the Northeast are vast. The United Nations and our partners, in support of the Federal Government, are committed to helping the needy, especially in pivotal areas such as protection and health.

    “In particular, the funds will be used to expand and improve sexual and reproductive health services for about 130,000 women and adolescent girls in Borno, the epicentre of the crisis, as well as to boost mental health services for vulnerable children, women and men.

    “Gender-based violence will also be addressed by providing more accessible medical care. In light of the recent cholera outbreak, and to mitigate the risk of faecal contamination and poor hygiene, funds have also been allocated to improve the availability of safe water and sanitation for 125,000 people.”

    The NHF is one of 18 country-based pooled funds and was launched during the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region in February 2017. Managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Coordinator, it plays a vital role in ensuring an effective, coordinated, prioritised and principled humanitarian response in Nigeria.

    The NHF has received $41 million in contributions and pledges, thanks to the support of Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, Republic of Korea, Canada, Spain, Luxembourg, Arab Gulf Programme for Development, Malta, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.

     

  • UN solicits $1b for Nigeria, others

    UN solicits $1b for Nigeria, others

    United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a 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 area around the world.

    The 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.”

     

  • 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.”

  • Pope, UN, EU, others chide US President

    Pope, UN, EU, others chide US President

    Pope Francis, the United Nations, the European Union and others criticized President Trump’s decision.

    Pope Francis said, “I cannot remain silent.” The United Nations secretary general spoke of his “great anxiety.” The European Union expressed “serious concern.” American allies like Britain, France, Germany and Italy all declared it a mistake.

    A chorus of international leaders criticized the Trump administration’s decision on Wednesday to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a dangerous disruption that contravenes several United Nations resolutions and could inflame one of the world’s thorniest conflicts.

    Secretary General António Guterres and Pope Francis both expressed alarm that the announcement would provoke new tensions in the Holy City, which is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    Within minutes of Mr. Trump’s speech, in which he said the American Embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Mr. Guterres delivered what amounted to a diplomatic rebuke.

    Reading a statement outside the Security Council chambers at United Nations headquarters in New York, Mr. Guterres criticized “any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” underscoring the administration’s departure from decades of American policy.

    “Jerusalem is a final-status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, taking into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides,” Mr. Guterres said.

    “In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution,” he said. “There is no Plan B.”

    In Rome, Pope Francis prayed that Jerusalem’s status be preserved and needless conflict avoided.

    “I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days,” Francis said at his weekly general audience at the Vatican. “And at the same time, I wish to make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that everyone is committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.”

    “Jerusalem is a unique city,” he said, “sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, where the Holy Places for the respective religions are venerated, and it has a special vocation to peace.”

    In especially strong language, the pope added, “I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.”

    The European Union’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, expressed concern about “the repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace.”

  • UN solicits $22.5bn humanitarian aid for 2018

    UN solicits $22.5bn humanitarian aid for 2018

    The United Nations has appealed for a record $22.5billion (£17billion) in humanitarian aid for 2018.

    The global aid appeal aims to raise funds to help 91 million of the world’s most vulnerable people, out of 136 million in need, a UN statement said.

    More than $10billion is needed to address the humanitarian crises in Syria and Yemen alone, it added.

    The UN also said needs are rising substantially in several African countries.

    Driven by conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, the number of people in need of humanitarian aid has increased by more than 5 per cent, according to UN co-ordinator, Mark Lowcock.

    The BBC reports that the targeted fund is a 1 per cent increase on the amount requested last year.

    By the end of November, the agency had raised nearly $13billion – which the UN said is record levels of funding.

    More than a third of the fund requested is to address the needs created by the devastating civil war in Syria, $3.5billion to provide humanitarian aid inside the war-ravaged country and $4.2billion to help the 5.4m registered Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.

    In Yemen, which is facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the UN said $2.5billion is needed to assist those most desperately in need.

     

  • UN rebukes Burundi, Philippines president over threats

    UN rebukes Burundi, Philippines president over threats

    The UN human rights office on Tuesday condemned attacks and threats made against its investigators by senior Burundian officials and by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

    “On Nov 9, Duterte threatened to slap UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard if she investigates him for alleged extrajudicial killings,” human rights spokesman Rupert Covlille said.

    In April 2016, the ICC announced it had launched a “preliminary examination” of the situation in Burundi, at the time more than 430 people had reportedly been killed.

    This ongoing step, which under ICC procedures determines whether a full investigation should take place, focuses on “killing, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as cases of enforced disappearances that have been allegedly committed since April 2015.”

    In October 2016, President Pierre Nkurunziza signed legislation calling for Burundi’s withdrawal from the ICC, notification of which was later that month sent to the UN secretary-general.

    Under the Rome Statute, actual withdrawal takes place a year after such notification.

    The Burundian government rejected the commission and did not allow members to visit the country.

    Interviews were conducted in neighbouring countries, to where hundreds of thousands of Burundians have fled since 2015.

    On Sept. 1, Burundi’s parliament announced it would set up its own commission, made up of 12 lawmakers, to look into the UN commission’s findings.

    Speaking to overseas Filipino workers in Vietnam, Duterte railed, “I will slap her in front of you. Why? Because you are insulting me.

    “Why? Because you yourself do not believe in the research of your own organisation.”

    The Philippines leader’s new beef with the French UN official is that she supposedly brought in an expert who

    supposedly said on television that drugs are harmless.

    Duterte did not name this “doctor” but identified them as “itim (black).”

    NAN