Sudan: UN Security Council Briefing & Consultations

From What's In Blue 
Dated Wednesday, 15 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Sudan: Briefing and Consultations

Tomorrow afternoon (16 November), the Security Council will convene for an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee is expected to brief on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report (S/2023/861), which was circulated to Council members on 10 November and covers developments from 21 August to 31 October. Director of OCHA’s Operations and Advocacy Division Edem Wosornu is likely to brief Council members in the closed consultations. The UK, the penholder on Sudan, is expected to propose press elements in connection with OCHA’s briefing.

This is likely to be the Council’s last meeting on Sudan before the expiry of UNITAMS’ mandate on 3 December. Council members are currently negotiating a UK-authored draft resolution renewing the mission’s mandate.

In a 6 November letter addressed to the president of the Security Council, the Secretary-General announced his decision to initiate an independent strategic review of UNITAMS. The letter said that the strategic review seeks to provide the Council with recommendations to ensure that the UN is best positioned to support peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts in Sudan over the next 12 to 18 months. It further noted that the findings and recommendations of the strategic review will be shared with Council members in January 2024.

The decision to initiate the strategic review comes against the backdrop of devastating fighting that erupted on 15 April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military leader and chairperson of the Transitional Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemeti). Despite several calls for a ceasefire from regional stakeholders and the broader international community, fighting has persisted over the past seven months, resulting in dire political, security, and humanitarian consequences.

During the period covered by the Secretary-General’s 10 November report, fighting continued in the cities of Khartoum, Omdurman, Bahri, as well as in Darfur and Kordofan states, and expanded to new areas, such as White Nile and Gezira states. In recent weeks, the fighting has intensified across several parts of the country, particularly in Darfur. According to the Secretary-General’s report, following heavy fighting on 26 October, the RSF gained full control over the SAF base in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. Moreover, following a 30 October RSF attack on the SAF base in Zalingei, Central Darfur state, the warring parties reached a settlement resulting in the withdrawal of SAF forces and the RSF gaining de facto control over Zalingei and its main roads.Nder

In a 14 November statement, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu expressed alarm about the renewed escalation of fighting in Nyala, Geneina, and Zalingei. The statement said that “[t]he latest reports from the Darfur region depict a deeply disturbing picture of continued systematic and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including along ethnic lines”, adding that “the risks of genocide and related atrocity crimes in the region remain grimly high”. It further voiced concern about “serious allegations of mass killings in an area housing a camp for displaced families in Ardamata, Geneina, where more than 800 people were reportedly killed and 8,000 others fled to neighbouring Chad”.

The Secretary-General’s report notes that UNITAMS has continued to exercise its good offices in support of efforts to end the conflict and prepare for an eventual return to a political transition. During the reporting period, the mission carried out field-based and remote monitoring and reporting on human rights violations and abuses, while maintaining strategic engagement and advocacy with key stakeholders. The report further notes that UNITAMS continues to face several operational challenges, including communication disruptions, security conditions, and access limitations. The mission is currently operating inside Sudan, and also has temporary presences in Nairobi and Addis Ababa.

At tomorrow’s meeting, Pobee is expected to update members on developments regarding the ongoing regional and international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. The Saudi-US facilitated talks between the Sudanese warring parties in Jeddah resumed on 26 October with the participation of a joint representative of the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). (The talks, which began on 6 May, had been suspended following the SAF’s withdrawal on 31 May.)

On 7 November, the co-facilitators of the Jeddah talks announced that the Sudanese warring parties had committed to participating in a joint humanitarian forum led by OCHA to resolve impediments to humanitarian access and delivery of assistance. They further agreed to implement confidence-building measures relating to, among other matters, the establishment of communication channels between the warring parties and arrest of prison escapees and fugitives.

The first meeting of the humanitarian forum was convened on 13 November by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths and Deputy Special Representative for Sudan and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami. The meeting was attended by SAF and RSF representatives, along with the co-facilitators of the Jeddah talks. In his remarks at the meeting, Griffiths said that more than 10,000 people have reportedly been killed since the start of the conflict and that 25 million people in Sudan remain in need of aid. He emphasised the need for safe and unhindered humanitarian access and called on parties to the conflict to ensure protection of civilians in areas under their control. He added that he was “appalled by the horrific reports of extreme violence against civilians, including ethnic-based attacks and sexual violence”. At tomorrow’s meeting, some Council member may welcome the convening of the humanitarian forum and call on the warring parties to adhere to their obligations, while stressing the need for ensuring unfettered humanitarian access.

Amid the escalating violence in the country, on 13 November, al-Burhan visited Nairobi to meet Kenyan President William Ruto. According to a joint statement released following the meeting, the leaders agreed to work towards convening an urgent IGAD summit to find ways to accelerate the talks in Jeddah towards cessation of hostilities in Sudan. The statement added that the IGAD summit “will also agree on a framework for an all-inclusive Sudanese dialogue”. (Kenya is currently chairing the IGAD-led mediation process for Sudan, comprising Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan.) Tomorrow, some Council members may call for coordination of, and cooperation among, the different diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict.

Council members are likely to condemn the violence in Sudan and emphasise the need for a ceasefire. Some members may raise concerns about the high incidence of conflict-related sexual violence and are likely to continue stressing the need to ensure accountability and justice. According to the Secretary-General’s 10 November report, since the onset of conflict, the Joint Human Rights Office has received credible reports of 53 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence involving at least 106 victims, primarily in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan states.

Another important issue raised by the Secretary-General’s 10 November report concerns increasing incidents of violence against children in Sudan. During the period covered by the Secretary-General’s report, the UN country task force on monitoring and reporting on grave violations against children in armed conflict (CTFMR) verified 314 grave violations against 303 children. (The six grave violations are child recruitment and use; killing and maiming; abductions; rape and other forms of sexual violence; attacks on schools and hospitals; and the denial of humanitarian access.)

Several Council members are expected to express concern about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, rising food insecurity, attacks against civilian infrastructure (including schools and hospitals), and the worsening health situation in the country. According to a 25 October OCHA press release, 70 percent of hospitals in conflict-affected states are not functional, while facilities in states not affected by the conflict have been overwhelmed by an influx of people displaced by the fighting.

According to data presented by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 4.63 million people have been displaced internally across Sudan’s 18 states since the conflict began. At the same time, more than 1.17 million people have sought refuge in Sudan’s neighbouring countries, including the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

At tomorrow’s meeting, the briefers and several Council members might call for enhanced funding from the international community to support the humanitarian response in Sudan. At the time of writing, Sudan’s 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, requiring $2.57 billion, was 33.4 percent funded.

View original: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2023/11/sudan-briefings-and-consultations.php

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13 Nov 2023, Kenyan President William Ruto received Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan, in Nairobi.

Source: https://www.president.go.ke/joint-statement-at-the-conclusion-of-consultations-between-h-e-president-william-ruto-and-h-e-president-abdel-fattah-al-burhan/

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Emmanuel Jal - Warchild. Child soldiers is a war crime

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This song by Emmanuel Jal is from his 2008 album Warchild. Using a child as a soldier is a war crime. Read more.

Child Recruitment and Use

Recruiting and using children under the age of 15 as soldiers is prohibited under international humanitarian law - treaty and custom - and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court. 

Furthermore, under the Rome Statue, conscripting or enlisting children under the age of fifteen years into national armed forces or groups or using them to participate actively in hostilities is considered a war crime.

There are many ways for children to become associated with armed forces and groups. Some children are abducted and beaten into submission, others join military groups to escape poverty, to defend their communities, out of a feeling of revenge or for other reasons.

Combat and support roles

In many conflicts children take direct part in combat. However, their role is not limited to fighting. Many girls and boys are also used in support functions that also entail great risk and hardship.

Their tasks can vary, from combatants to cooks, spies, messengers and even sex slaves. Moreover, the use of children for acts of terror, including as suicide bombers, has emerged as a phenomenon of modern warfare. Each year, the UN receives reports of children as young as 8 or 9 years old associated with armed groups.

No matter their role, child associated with parties to conflict are exposed to acute levels of violence – as witnesses, direct victims and as forced participants. Some are injured and have to live with disabilities for the rest of their lives.

Girls are also recruited and used by armed forces and groups. They have vulnerabilities unique to their gender and place in society and suffer specific consequences including, but not limited to, rape and sexual violence, pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications, stigma and rejection by families and communities.

Definition

“A child associated with an armed force or armed group” refers to any person below 18 years of age who is or who has been recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to children, boys and girls, used as fighters, cooks, porters, spies or for sexual purposes. It does not only refer to a child who is taking or has taken a direct part in hostilities. (Source: Paris Principles on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict 2007)

A long healing process

Regardless of how children are recruited and of their roles, child soldiers are victims, whose participation in conflict bears serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being. They are commonly subject to abuse and most of them witness death, killing, and sexual violence. Many are forced to commit violent acts and some suffer serious long-term psychological consequences. The reintegration of these children into civilian life is an essential part of the work to help child soldiers rebuild their lives.

(Source: https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/six-grave-violations/child-soldiers/)

The effects of being a child soldier can last a lifetime

It’s almost impossible to know the exact figure but it’s estimated there are tens of thousands of children in armed groups around the world. 

(Source: https://www.warchild.org.uk/news/effects-being-child-soldier-can-last-lifetime)

View video at YouTube: https://youtu.be/ekigsvTDJXo

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Khartoum orphanage - 50 children including 24 babies died as fighting prevented staff reaching them

Hat tip with thanks to William Carter tweet and Evelyn Tremble @DrumChronicles https://twitter.com/DrumChronicles: #Sudan fighting - Khartoum largest orphanage - 50 children including 24 babies have died some of starvation as fighting between RSF militia and military prevented staff and humanitarian aid reaching the facility https://reut.rs/3WCVFoe

Even amid the overwhelmingly horrific accounts from across the country, this is one of the most jarring reports so far

I have such great sorrow, and so few words ...

Rest their sweet little souls https://t.co/hfMlsFHLaM

— William Carter (@WillCarter_NRC) May 29, 2023

SW Ed: So sad. Lost for words. God Bless and Rest in Peace + + +

ICC issued arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova and Vladimir Putin for “unlawful transfer” of children

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: The following report states that "International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin on 17 March 2023 for allegedly committing the war crime of “unlawful deportation” and “unlawful transfer” of children from Ukraine to Russia". 

Also, "during the 5 April Arria-formula meeting, representatives of several Council members—including Albania, Malta, the UK, and the US—walked out of the conference room when the contentious briefers took the floor".

Report from What's In Blue 

Friday 28 April 2023 - excerpt:

Arria-Formula Meeting on Abduction and Deportation of Children During Armed Conflict

This morning (28 April), UN Security Council members will hold a meeting titled “Addressing the Abduction and Deportation of Children During Armed Conflict: Concrete Steps for Accountability and Prevention”. 

The meeting is being co-hosted by Albania, France, and the US, together with non-Council member Ukraine, and is being co-sponsored by over 42 member states.

Full story here.

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Eurojust works closely with Europol & Interpol to tackle human trafficking and crimes against children

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: Good news. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has joined hands with EUROPOL. 

Note that EUROJUST works closely with EUROPOL and INTERPOL to tackle human trafficking and crimes against children. 

Let's hope the ICC receives verifiable evidence of the arming and training of children as soldiers to fight in Sudan and elsewhere. On its website the ICC states that it is a war crime to use children as child soldiers. 

This weblog Sudan Watch has a database containing thousands of reports of child soldiers used by Sudanese rebel groups and the LRA. Being a child soldier risks their health and life, ruins their brains, education and future.

If anyone in the media sees and collates verifiable news and/or photos of child soldiers in Sudan for submission to the ICC they'd be doing the ICC, Sudan, South Sudan, and all former and current child soldiers, a favour. 

Further reading

From the website of the International Criminal Court (ICC):

“Third, war crimes which are grave breaches of the Geneva conventions in the context of armed conflict and include, for instance, the use of child soldiers; the killing or torture of persons such as civilians or prisoners of war; intentionally directing attacks against hospitals, historic monuments, or buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes.”

View original: https://www.icc-cpi.int/about/how-the-court-works

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From the website of EUROPOL:

In general, Europol cooperates with states and other entities outside the EU based on operational agreements, strategic agreements and working arrangements.

The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. 

Europol is the European Union’s Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation. It serves as the centre for law enforcement cooperation, analytical expertise and criminal intelligence in Europe.

On 25 April 2023, judge Piotr Hofmański, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) said:

“I look forward to the enhanced cooperation and interaction which will take place under this Working Arrangement. Europol’s expertise and specialist knowledge is world-leading and the ICC is fortunate to be able to benefit from it. I am confident that the strengthened relationship between the ICC and Europol can enhance the capacity of both our organisations to discharge their respective mandates aimed at ensuring that serious crimes do not go unpunished.”

View original: https://www.europol.europa.eu/partners-collaboration

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From the website of INTERPOL:

We support investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The issues

Crimes such as genocides, crimes against humanity and war crimes are of serious concern to the international community.

As well as the devastating effect on families concerned, these crimes have a lasting, destabilizing impact on the safety and security of communities, nations and regions for decades after they occur. 

Investigation and prosecution of these crimes are central to our common fight against impunity. […]

“INTERPOL, as a global player, can be a key partner in helping international tribunals and national authorities in having fugitives arrested. -Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor for the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

View original: https://www.interpol.int/Crimes/War-crimes

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From the website of EUROJUST - excerpts: 

Since its establishment, Eurojust has played an active role in tackling crimes against children in close cooperation with agencies such as Europol and Interpol. By facilitating effective cross-border coordination and cooperation between States, the Agency helps national authorities to detect potential cross-border links between cases, improve the flow of information, and exchange relevant information with a view to identify and prosecute offenders.

Trafficking in human beings

Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a serious and fast-growing crime area that affects millions of innocent people around the world and involves the severe violation of fundamental human rights. Human traffickers control and exploit vulnerable victims and make use of threats, force, fraud, deception or abduction. Traffickers predominantly capitalise on sexual and labour exploitation, often targeting individuals with limited education or financial means.

The fight of the national authorities against THB can greatly benefit from the unique structure of Eurojust. Since each participating EU Member State has a National Member at Eurojust, the Agency is able to effectively coordinate parallel investigations in several countries where victims are recruited, exploited and transported through or moved.

View original: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/crime-types-and-cases/crime-types/trafficking-human-beings

Crimes against children

Crimes against children include, inter alia, the sexual abuse of children, the trafficking of children and crimes concerning child abuse images on the Internet. Eurojust plays an active role in tackling this growing and particularly heinous form of crime, by enabling efficient cross-border coordination between different States. The Agency supports judicial authorities in detecting links with cases in other countries and facilitates cooperation among the respective authorities with a view to prevent further victimisation of children and to identify and prosecute offenders. A Contact Point for Child Protection is appointed by Eurojust to act as a focal point for its efforts in this field.

View original: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/crime-types-and-cases/crime-types/crimes-against-children

Eurojust @Eurojust on Twitter https://twitter.com/Eurojust

European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

The EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, giving hands-on support to prosecutors in the fight against serious cross-border crime

Eurojust • P.O. Box 16183
2500 BD The Hague • The Netherlands
+31 70 412 5000

Source: Website https://www.eurojust.europa.eu

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ICC and Europol join hands to work for accountability

#ICC Prosecutor #KarimAAKhanKC welcomes Working Arrangement signed today between @Europol and ICC that provides legal framework to deepen cooperation in common efforts towards accountability.🤝

Read more here: ⤵️https://t.co/utyBywBf5p pic.twitter.com/JGi3hMIHG3

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) April 25, 2023

RSF child soldiers with AK-47s roam Khartoum Sudan

Report from Sky News UK

Tuesday 25 April 2023 13:57 BST - excerpt:

'A 14-year-old with an AK-47 is a very dangerous individual'

Defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke has said there are reports of child soldiers on the streets as part of the Rapid Support Force rebels, providing an insight into just how dangerous the situation on the ground in Sudan is for civilians.

"A 13 or 14-year-old with an AK47 who thinks he's a big shot is a very dangerous individual. 

"So just getting a family to the airfield, or anywhere, in this situation is very dangerous," he said.

View original, with thanks to Sky: here.

New fighting and looting in North Darfur: 11 killed, 1 police; 57 injured. SAF demotes RSF to a rebel group.

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: In the past few days Sudan's Army chief Gen. Burhan demoted Hemeti's RSF to a rebel group. Some males in the RSF are very young. They can become lost, neglected, drugged and frightened. 

Many rebels have to steal food, water, meds, drugs, cash, phones, clothes, petrol, vehicles and attack aid convoys for supplies. Being a rebel is a way to become gainfully employed, part of a gang with camaraderie and a purpose.

Most of them become street wise, creative and resourceful, clever and able to think fast on their feet. I am not up to date with the law on recruitment of child soldiers but I hope it is now unlawful and classed as human trafficking. 

Report from Radio Dabanga in Netherlands - www.dabangasudan.org

By Radio Dabanga

Published Friday 21 April 2023

New reports about fighting and looting in Darfur

PHOTO: RSF soldiers deployed in a neighbourhood of Khartoum (Photo supplied)

EL FASHER / NYALA / ED DAEIN – Eleven people were killed in battles between Sudanese army soldiers and paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, on Wednesday [19 Apr].

Among the 11 people killed was one policeman, the North Darfur Radio Dabanga correspondent reported from El Fasher. 57 others were injured.

“The Southern Hospital is overcrowded,” she said. “Luckily, youth initiatives have led to the opening of five health centres that provide free diagnosis and treatment.”

Yesterday morning, the North Darfur capital witnessed relative calm with sporadic clashes, he said. “But the plundering continues.”

The Specialised Children’s Hospital was looted, and two ambulances were stolen on Wednesday, she said. Many houses have been plundered as well.

Youngsters are barricading the streets in the neighbourhoods to prevent more plundering.

“At the markets She further noted a significant decrease in the prices of clothes, shoes and other commodities, as thieves offered stolen goods for sale as well.”

‘Cautious calm’

Nyala, capital of South Darfur, witnessed a cautious calm on Thursday after clashes earlier this week that left at least 31 people dead. People left their homes to buy food and other needs from the shops. Many markets are still closed.

“However, intermittent exchanges of fire with heavy weapons continued in the northern part of the city on Thursday,” a correspondent in Nyala said.

He also reported widespread plundering. “People in various neighbourhoods resorted to barricading the streets to prevent looting.”

A listener told Radio Dabanga from Nyala that the plundering is done by armed men riding on motorcycles and in rickshaws. “Youths have formed groups that are patrolling the neighbourhoods.”

He said that the army forces are stationed at the base of the 16th Infantry Division, not far from the airport. The RSF soldiers are deployed in the El Matar, El Riyadh and El Malja neighbourhoods close to the army command.

Ed Daein, capital of East Darfur, has hardly been affected by the ongoing battles, residents told Radio Dabanga.

Activist Emameldin Maw said that the situation is calm except for two incidents on Sunday, the second day of the war, which led to the death of four army soldiers. He attributed the calm to the ability of native administration leaders to control the forces “by virtue of the social composition of the two parties”.

Continue Reading

Fighting continues in Sudan capital, UN warns for collapse of health system

Sudan: RSF attack police stations in El Obeid, 20 policemen killed

View original: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/new-reports-about-fighting-and-looting-in-darfur

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UN is committed to staying in Afghanistan

Here is a full copy of a transcript of yesterday’s noon press briefing by the UN chief’s Spokesman, Mr Stéphane Dujarric, published at the website of the United Nations (UN), confirming that the UN is committed to staying in Afghanistan where, according to the UN's chief, Mr António Guterres, "a humanitarian catastrophe looms".  Note that the UN has been in Afghanistan for over 60 years and will remain in Afghanistan, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Afghanistan. At least 45 per cent of the Afghan population is below the age of 15.  Also, yesterday (31st Aug) was the first International Day for People of African Descent.

TUESDAY 31 AUGUST 2021

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Good afternoon.

**Afghanistan

Just a quick humanitarian update.  Our humanitarian colleagues in Afghanistan tell us that that, today, while the armies have left, the UN is committed to staying in the country.  Operations to supply medical and humanitarian goods, as well as to support in other materials are continuing, but more resources are needed.  Our colleagues have already delivered humanitarian aid to 8 million people since the start of the year.  The current funding appeal for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is $1.3 billion, is only 39 per cent funded up to now, and we may have new appeals coming up.

**Afghanistan/Children

In a joint statement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba and the Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, today called on the Taliban and other parties in Afghanistan to respect the dignity and human rights of all Afghans, including boys and girls.  They noted that at least 45 per cent of the Afghan population is below the age of 15, and that the international community must not abandon the children of that country.  The two UN officials strongly condemn the horrific and deadly attack against Kabul airport in which children have reportedly been killed and maimed.  They are particularly concerned about the rights of girls, including sexual and gender-based violence, as well as their right to education.  Ms. Gamba and Ms. Maalla M’jid said that the children of Afghanistan have suffered enough.  They stressed that protecting the rights of all Afghans, including the rights of children is the only sustainable solution to peace.

**International Day for People of African Descent

Today is the first International Day of People of African Descent.  In his message, the Secretary-General said that this day is a celebration of the enormous contributions of people of African descent to every field of human endeavour.  He added it is also a long‑overdue recognition of the profound injustices and systematic discrimination that people of African descent have endured for centuries, and continue to confront today.  Twenty years after the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Secretary-General said we are experiencing unprecedented momentum towards ending the global scourge of racism.  We must not squander this opportunity.  This international day is an urgent call for action for everyone, everywhere, to commit to rooting out the evil of racism.  The full message is online.

**Guest Tomorrow

Tomorrow, you will be glad to know that we will be joined by the UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov who will brief you from Kabul, on the current situation in the country.  We will start off the briefing with him.  And then, you will have the pleasure to question Florencia, who will be sitting in for me tomorrow.  And at 2 p.m., there will be a briefing in this room by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ireland, who will lead the Security Council during the nicest month in New York, that is September, and also the busiest at the United Nations.  On that note, Edie.

**Questions and Answers

Question:  Thank you very much, Steph.  A couple of questions on Afghanistan.  On this first day of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, what is the Secretary‑General's message to the Taliban?  And could you give us some specific details of what the UN is actually doing today on the ground?

Spokesman:  Well, I spoke a short while ago with one of our colleagues in Kabul.  She had mentioned that we're continuing to support humanitarian operations in most parts of the country.  There was an Assessment Mission, I think, that went out today in Kabul.  We are concerned with the internally displaced situation and, obviously, the disruption of our pipeline of humanitarian goods.  I don't think you were here yesterday, but you must have seen we there was a plane from WHO [World Health Organization] which landed in Mazar.  The UNHAS World Food Service Programme has also been able to resume, though not in Kabul.  So, for us, the day after is just another day in Kabul.  We've been present in Afghanistan for over 60 years, and we are remaining and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Afghan people.  The Secretary‑General's message to the Taliban, I think, is something he's said before, which is what he would like to see and he hopes the international community would like to see is the formation of an inclusive government, full respect for human rights, for Afghanistan's human rights obligations, especially when it comes to women, and to ensure that the hard‑won gains of especially the last two decades do not evaporate and ensuring that Afghanistan is not used as a base for terrorism.  Yes?

Question:  Thanks, Stéphane.  Following up on Afghanistan, is the UN talking to the Taliban about using the airport to get supplies into Kabul?  Any discussions started there?  And any feedback or readout of the Secretary‑General's meeting with Security Council members yesterday afternoon?  Can you tell us what they discussed?

Spokesman:  Yes.  So, the SG had quite a lengthy meeting with the representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council.  He met with them at the residence.  I mean, he told me that the atmosphere was pleasant and constructive.  This is part of his ongoing efforts of good offices to try to get unity within the Security Council, to also get a convergence of the different approaches of the international community on the situation in Afghanistan.  The meeting yesterday was part of the intensive diplomatic contacts he's had since the beginning of this phase of the crisis.

Question:  [Inaudible]?

Spokesman:  The airport, I'm not aware of any direct discussions that we're having with the Taliban on the airport.  I know it's something that ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization], obviously, our colleagues in Montreal, are following closely through their regional office.  We've been able to use other airports in Afghanistan.  Obviously, as soon as it meets safety standards that are recognised by the international community, we would like to see the airport.  Obviously, a critical part of that are really the people who operate the planes and who insure the planes, feel that there is a level of service, of security that the aircrafts can go in and out of Kabul airport.  Yep, and then we'll go to Alan.

Question:  I'm Yuki Sugimoto from NHK, and my question is, will UN support… such as providing documents and airplanes for Afghan people who want to escape from their country, or will UN respect Taliban's decision on requesting Afghan people to stay?

Spokesman:  I think it's very important that people in any country have the right to choose whether they want to stay or whether they want to leave.  Our concern is about a massive flow of people trying to leave Afghanistan who are fleeing persecution, who may be fleeing violence.  And it is important that, in the immediate phase, the neighbouring countries open up their doors.  We do not want to see any refoulement, to use a refugee law term.  People who are refugees who are seeking safety have a right to be granted protection.  But, it's also, I think, important to note that the global responsibility towards Afghan refugees is not limited to those countries which happen to be bordering Afghanistan.  It will need a global show of solidarity.  Mr. Bulkaty.

Question:  Thank you.  I appreciate it, Stéphane.  Yesterday, the US command announced finally that the troops of the country have withdrawn from Afghanistan.  Any assessment from your part on this milestone?  How do you assess the mission that the US and the allies were conducting during all these 20 years?

Spokesman:  Look, I will leave the historical analyses to historians and analysts.  I think, for us, others may have left for whatever reasons.  The UN is remaining in Afghanistan, has been in Afghanistan for over 60 years, will remain in Afghanistan, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Afghanistan.  I think it is very important moving forward that the gains that we have seen in human rights in Afghanistan, especially over the last 20 years, especially when it comes to women, to girls, to their access to education, to medical care, to the jobs market, not be lost.  Okay.  Let's go to the screen.  Okay.  I don't see or hear anybody on the screen.  I see Philippe.  Welcome back.  But, otherwise, I will not be here tomorrow.  Florencia will be answering your questions.  And as I mentioned, we'll have Ramiz brief you from Kabul at the top, and that's part of our continuing efforts to get some voices from the field as opposed to here.  Cheers.

CHILDREN OFFICIAL OBSERVANCES HUMANITARIAN ISSUES

AFGHANISTAN

For information media. Not an official record.

[Ends]

View Original: https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/db210831.doc.htm