Latest news with #peacekeeping
Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Five countries win seats on the UN Security Council
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Five countries won seats on the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday in uncontested elections and will start serving two-year terms in January on the U.N.'s most powerful but deeply divided body. The 193-member General Assembly held a secret-ballot vote for the five rotating seats on the 15-member council. Bahrain received 186 votes, Congo 183 votes, Liberia 181 votes, Colombia 180 votes and Latvia 178 votes. This will be the first time on the council for Latvia, which was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union and gained independence again after its collapse in 1991. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže told reporters after the vote her Baltic nation is ready for the responsibility, saying, 'Our historical experience puts us in the position to understand, empathize with, and forge partnerships across every region in the world.' 'We know the value of freedom,' she said. 'We know the fragility of peace and the power of multilateralism to safeguard it.' Braže said Latvia will spare no effort to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine and to alleviate suffering in the Middle East, Gaza, Africa and other conflicts around the globe. Bahrain will be the Arab representative on the council, and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country's election to the council for a second time reinforces its determination to be 'a proactive contributor' to international peace and security. 'Our goal is to fortify peace and stability within our region,' Al Zayani said, stressing that resolving the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict is 'the cornerstone for achieving peace in the region.' The immediate requirement, he said, is a ceasefire and massive influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the release of all hostages taken from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and progress toward a two-state solution and 'a viable state of Palestine.' The Security Council is mandated in the U.N. Charter with ensuring international peace and security, but it has failed in the two major conflicts because of the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States, Israel's closest ally, on Gaza. There have been decades of efforts to reform the Security Council to reflect the geopolitical realities of the world in 2025, not of the post-World War II era 80 years ago, when the United Nations was established. But they have all failed. The council still includes five veto-wielding permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — and 10 elected members from the U.N.'s different regional groups. One major failing is the absence of a permanent seat for Africa or Latin America and the Caribbean. Under its current rules, five new council members are elected every year. In January, the newly elected countries will replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner of Congo, which will be serving its third term on the council, told the council its election not only reflects confidence in her country, 'it is also a reflection of Africa's unity and its rightful place in shaping the global peace and security agenda.' Asked about the ongoing fighting by armed groups in the country's mineral-rich east, she said Congo will bring to the council the knowledge of dealing with decades of conflict, the challenges of U.N. peacekeeping operations and protecting civilians, and 'the convergence between conflict, natural resources, and environmental changes.' Liberia's Deputy Foreign Minister Deweh Gray, whose country was last on the council in 1961, said her country has 'an unwavering resolve to make a difference for all' and to tackle the formidable challenges facing the world including conflict, inequality and climate change, 'to name a few.' 'Liberia's vote is a vote for Africa,' she said, 'and we shall ensure that we follow the African common position.' Colombia's U.N. Ambassador Leonor Zalabata urged all countries to unite and 'keep working together in harmony with nature to preserve what we have and build peace in the world.' And she said, 'We invite you all to keep working in the path of human rights.' ___
The Independent
7 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Irish premier welcomes that mother of peacekeeper killed in Lebanon can sue UN
Irish premier Micheal Martin has welcomed that the mother of an Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon has been given permission to sue the UN. Sean Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14 2022. The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah. Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed. On Tuesday, his mother Natasha was granted permission by the High Court in Dublin to sue the UN. Asked about the granting of permission to sue the UN, the Taoiseach welcomed developments. 'Natasha Rooney has gone through a terrible trauma in respect of the murder of her son Sean and we await the outcome of the trial in Lebanon,' Mr Martin said. 'We have been very unhappy at the pace in which that trial has taken place, it's been slow, and we're looking for full accountability. 'We believe Hezbollah was primarily responsible for the death of Sean, but of course full accountability and full transparency is owed to the Rooney family, so I welcome developments.' Natasha Rooney said in a statement that she intends to use all legal avenues available to her to hold those responsible for her son's death to account. 'Sean's case has never been about compensation or money – it is about the truth and accountability,' she said. 'Sean was failed by those who should have protected him. Despite numerous requests, I have still not been provided with the very basic documents from the United Nations from their investigations. 'I intend on using every court procedure available to me to ensure that the truth is told about Sean's death, and that those who failed him are held accountable for their actions and omissions.' Solicitor for Ms Rooney Darragh Mackin said: 'Our client has been failed time and time again by the very institutions that ought to have protected her son. 'We make no apologies for pursuing every available legal avenue to seek the truth and justice for Private Sean Rooney.' Pte Rooney's family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldier's death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane. The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report. The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved. However, they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
Mongolian peacekeepers overcome dire conditions to protect civilians in conflict-prone Abiemnhom
Miles of nothingness. Searing heat. Rationed food provisions, dependent on weekly deliveries from colleagues at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Bentiu. UNMISS peacekeepers from Mongolia are committed to enduring the most difficult of conditions to help safeguard the communities surrounding their temporary base in Abiemnhom, Northern Unity State, and beyond. After a devastating attack by an armed group on Abiemnhom in April, that left 52 people dead and hundreds fleeing for their lives, the Mongolian peacekeepers rapidly responded by creating a protective presence outside their base, providing sanctuary to at least 800 people in need. 'When the attack happened, people ran and swam across the river. A lot of people, including women and children, drowned. The Mongolian peacekeepers helped us to rescue people and bury the victims. They also created a safe space when we were in urgent need,' recalls Abiemnhom resident, Mawut Lueth. Since the attacks, the peacekeepers have intensified their patrols by day and night. 'Patrolling matters so much. It is not just about checking security or monitoring the situation. The real value is that it keeps us connected with people. Every patrol is a chance to talk to people, listen to their concerns and build that essential trust,' describes Mongolian Battalion Commander, Major Davaadorj Boldbaatar. With their location largely inaccessible by road due to extraordinary flooding, the peacekeepers' only connection to the main base in Bentiu and the critical supplies they need, is a United Nations helicopter which lands at an airstrip for a few hours every Wednesday. This doesn't deter the peacekeepers from carrying out their mandated work during their three-month rotating deployment to the isolated area. With security gradually improving in Abiemnhom, more than 130 families have been able to return to the area, although most found their homes and livelihoods in tatters following the attack. To enable the residents to safely rebuild their lives, the peacekeepers will maintain their vigilant presence until they are needed elsewhere. 'As long as UNMISS continues here and, as long as our presence can contribute to peace in the area, Mongolian peacekeepers will fulfill our duties in Abiemnhom, South Sudan.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
14 hours ago
- General
- Zawya
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) calls for Government intervention and deployment of security services to prevent persistent intercommunal conflict in Tonj East, Warrap
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is deeply concerned about escalating intercommunal violence in Tonj East, which has caused hundreds of deaths, the destruction of homes and widespread displacement. The Mission is urging the country's leadership to intervene and deploy security services to address the situation. Since December 2024, Tonj East, in Warrap State, has been plagued by a series of violent incidents, including cattle raiding and revenge attacks involving large numbers of armed youth from neighbouring communities. In March, more than 200 people are estimated to have died during the intercommunal conflict. Over the past few days, there has been another surge of violence, driven by attempts to recover stolen cattle and revenge for the previous loss of lives. This has resulted in more than 80 casualties, although the numbers are yet to be verified. 'Urgent intervention is needed from the national Government to prevent the conflict from escalating to catastrophic levels and to bring communities together to peacefully resolve grievances,' said the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political), Guang Cong. UNMISS is intensively engaging with state and local leaders to calm the situation and has increased its peacekeeping patrols. However, peacekeepers are experiencing significant challenges reaching some of the affected areas, due to a proliferation of checkpoints manned by armed youth. 'While UNMISS is doing its utmost to deter further mobilization and conflict, the Government is primarily responsible for protecting civilians and we, therefore, encourage the Government to rapidly deploy security services to prevent further violence and create a safe environment for community dialogue and peacebuilding,' said Mr. Cong. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Ireland issues formal protest letter to Israel over shots fired towards Unifil unit in Lebanon
Ireland has issued a formal rebuke to Israel via the United Nations after Israeli soldiers fired shots into an area being patrolled by Irish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Thursday. The Government lodged the démarche, a diplomatic letter of protest, which describes events in the village of Yaroun as 'completely unacceptable in terms of the safety of peacekeepers and the execution of their mandated duties'. The letter said the concerns are held 'at the highest levels' of the Irish Government and Defence Forces. The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, was on Friday briefed on the incident by the new Defence Forces chief of staff, Brig Gen Rossa Mulcahy. It is understood that up to 30 shots were fired over a period of nine minutes towards a joint Irish-United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ( Unifil ) and Lebanese armed forces patrol close to the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights. READ MORE No one was injured, but the unit was forced to leave the area. Irish troops have all been confirmed as safe and well. 'It's clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping,' the Tánaiste said. 'I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with Unifil, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment.' [ Irish peacekeepers come under fire while on patrol in Lebanon Opens in new window ] In a statement to The Irish Times on Friday, Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich said: 'The incident is still being examined, and from an initial investigation by the IDF, there was no shooting at Unifil, but at suspicious individuals who approached the Blue Line. 'There have been many recent incidents of Hizbullah harassment and attacks on Unifil. It appears that Ireland is not reporting nor protesting those incidents. Why is that the case?'
