Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Security Council
– Syria
– Nigeria
– Guinea-Bissau
– Libya
– Girls
– Press Conference Tomorrow
SECURITY COUNCIL
The Security Council met today on South Sudan.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, David Shearer, highlighted the positive developments that have moved the country further along the road to sustainable peace.
He paid tribute to the political willingness of President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar for putting the interests of their country first in their agreement on a transitional government.
Mr. Shearer added that relief was the overwhelming feeling expressed around the country, with the consensus being that the priority is to form the transitional government so that the peace agreement – and the country – can advance.
He noted that the new government can prompt positive change, with internally displaced people and refugees being able to return. The first joint statement from the new presidency last week
urged people from Protection of Civilian sites and neighbouring countries to return to their homes.
For its part, the UN Mission has stepped up its protective presence to build confidence in the areas of return.
SYRIA
Geir Pedersen, the Special Envoy for Syria, spoke to the foreign ministers of the League of Arab States in Cairo today, and he warned that the immediate danger in that country is one of more escalation, more war and more death and displacement – as we see in Idlib. He said that in northwest Syria, more than 900,000 people have been displaced since 1 December. Women and children together comprise 81 per cent of the newly displaced population.
The Special Envoy noted that tomorrow, Presidents Putin and Erdogan will meet in Moscow, and he urged them to find an immediate diplomatic solution that could spare civilians further suffering and ensure some stability, promote cooperation in Idlib, and create more conducive conditions for a political process.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=04%20March%202020