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

Sudanese Defence Minister meets Chadian President Deby - Security Council consults on cutting MINURCAT - Irish troops return home

On Saturday (8 May) Sudan's Federal Minister of Defence, Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, met with the Chadian President Idriss Déby, in N'Djamena, Chad. The two discussed the deployment process of the joint monitoring forces. The deployment is part of the security agreement reached between Khartoum and N'djamena, in an attempt to flush out opposition activities in both countries.

On Saturday (8 May) the Security Council held closed consultations on cuts to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Chad (MINURCAT) after the Chadian government's call for the withdrawal of the military component, despite warnings that this could impair delivery of humanitarian aid to some 430,000 people.

On Monday (10 May) the first group of Irish troops is due to arrive home from Chad. Irish Minister for Defence Tony Killeen extended his congratulations to the returning contingent and to all those involved in the MINURCAT mission. The Defence Forces have been involved in Chad since February 2008.

Further details below.

SAF deploys border troops along Chad amid allegations of attack on JEM strongholds
From Radio Miraya - Sunday, 09 May 2010 20:37:

As the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) tightened border security with Chad in an effort to promote peaceful border co-existence, allegations of SAF attacks on JEM forces continue to surface. Director of the SAF's office, Lieutenant Sawarmi Khalid Saed told Radio Miraya that the deployment is part of the security agreement reached between Khartoum and N'djamena, in an attempt to flush out opposition activities in both countries.

He pointed out that the military monitors any covert rebel activities whether inside or outside cities, citing two joint military base camps in Adri and Aljineena townships where the military monitors any covert rebel activities. Sawarmi added that ground arrangements are also progressing well.

On Saturday, Sudan's Federal Minister of Defense, Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, met with the Chadian President Idris Debby, in N'Djamena on Saturday. The two discussed the deployment process of the joint monitoring forces.

Leitenant Sawarmi also denied any clashes with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). JEM has accused the SAF of attacking their territories.

Speaking to Radio Miraya, Sawarmi admitted that some JEM forces have penetrated some areas of Kordofan, but downplayed their effect on the civilians.

He said citizens are used to seeing JEM troops passing through townships and have not been exposed to any clashes with the SAF. Sawarmi added that JEM merely intimidates and terrify villagers by shooting randomly.

Earlier JEM confirmed that fighting is on-going between JEM forces and the SAF in Kordofan, North and South Darfur. In a statement to Radio Miraya, JEM's speaker at the Legislative Assembly, Althahir AlFaki, accused the SAF of using Antinov war planes to attack areas Kilbas, Feferida, Fireaa, Hileylat and JEM's strongholds in northern Kordofan State, saying that he had just received the information of field commanders there.

AlFaki disclosed that JEM has administrative patrols, active in Dar-Amiss area in Kordofan State.

He also added that the framework agreement signed did not specify the locations where JEM deploys troops.

Click and listen to SAF's Lieutenant Sawarmi Khalid Saed

Click and listen to JEM's Legislative Assembly speaker, Althahir Al Faki

Minister of Defense meets Chadian President
From Miraya Radio - Sunday, 09 May 2010 14:44:

The Federal Minister of Defense, Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, met with the Chadian President Idriss Déby, in N'Djamena yesterday. They discussed the deployment process of the joint monitoring forces at the borders. Hussein also delivered to Déby an invitation from President-elect Omar Al Bashir to attend his swearing-in ceremony in Sudan follwing his election last month.

Security Council consults on cutting UN military force in Chad
From (UN News) Spero News - Saturday, 08 May 2010:

The Security Council today held closed consultations on cuts to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Chad after the Government"s call for the withdrawal of the military component, despite warnings that this could impair delivery of humanitarian aid to some 430,000 people.

"We are extremely worried about what the potential impact will be on the civilians whom we"re trying to help in eastern Chad," Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes told a news conference, citing 250,000 or more refugees from Sudan"s war-torn Darfur region and 180,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The UN mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad (MINURCAT) "has been helpful for us" in providing security and extra logistical capacity including medical evacuations, he said.

"That"s why we"ve made clear ourselves, publicly and privately, to the Government of Chad and the Security Council that our preference would be that MINURCAT should stay for a further period until alternative arrangements are made because the consequences for the protection of civilians but also for humanitarians themselves could be very significant," he added.

Last month UN and Chadian officials agreed on a major initial reduction after the Government called for the withdrawal of the military component of MINURCAT, which was set up over two years ago to ensure the security of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Darfur, IDPs and humanitarian workers in both Chad and the CAR, saying the force had served its purpose.

In a report to the Council earlier this week Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proposed that the military component be reduced from its current 3,300 troops " out of an authorized strength of 4,900 " to 1,400 troops and 500 support elements. The current mandate expires on 15 May.

With new agreements on border security between Chad and Sudan, and with MINURCAT not strong enough to provide complete security in eastern Chad, the Government said it felt it was better for Chadian forces to take over and for the mandate to be adjusted.

"Now we will have to deal with the situation as we find it if MINURCAT has to draw down in the course of this year, which looks like the most likely outcome of all this, we will have to adapt to that and do the best we can," Mr. Holmes said. "But it may have an impact on our ability to help people and on the security problems for the people themselves."

In his report Mr. Ban said MINURCAT would ensure the first drawdown of 1,400 troops by 15 July, with the remaining 1,900 beginning their withdrawal on 15 October. He also proposed that as of 16 May, the current mandate for the protection of civilians would cease, with such security tasks to be carried out by Chadian police forces, primarily the UN-trained D"chement int""e s"rit"DIS).

Meanwhile, the MINURCAT police component would continue to train, mentor and support the efforts of the Government to enable the DIS to become self-sustainable.

Source: UN News

First Irish troops to return from Chad on Monday
From BreakingNews.ie - Sunday, 09 May 2010:

The first group of Irish troops is due to arrive home from Chad on Monday, according to the Defence Forces.

The group, consisting of 212 personnel, will arrive into Dublin Airport at 3.35pm.

Minister for Defence Tony Killeen extended his congratulations to the returning contingent and to all those involved in the MINURCAT mission.

"This was probably the most difficult mission ever undertaken by the Defence Forces and the manner in which it was deployed and operated is testament to effectiveness of the modernisation process implemented by the Defence Forces over the past number of years," he said.

"I would like to thank all members of the Defence Forces who have served in Chad for their dedication, professionalism and hard work in contributing to a safe and secure environment for refugees and displaced persons.

"The Government remains deeply committed to international peacekeeping and, over the coming months, we will be looking at possible options for future deployments."

The Defence Forces have been involved in Chad since February 2008.

Ireland announces additional funding of €600,000 to combat hunger in Sudan

The WFP’s emergency operation for 2010 will provide more than 650,000 tons of food to 6.4 million people in areas including Darfur and Southern Sudan.

Source: Ireland – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
January 4, 2010 via APO:

The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power, T.D., today announced additional funding of €600,000 for emergency food relief in Sudan.

The funding will be channelled through the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), which is managing emergency food distribution across many of Sudan’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.

The WFP’s emergency operation for 2010 will provide more than 650,000 tons of food to 6.4 million people in areas including Darfur and Southern Sudan.

Announcing the funding, Minister Power said:

“We remain seriously concerned about the situation in Sudan. Sudanese people are among the most vulnerable in the world, as a result of the combination of conflict, large-scale population displacement and underlying hunger and poverty. The past year has seen a significant increase in emergency food requirements. This urgent need for assistance is expected to continue through 2010.

“Poor rainfall levels in Southern Sudan have caused crop failure and extended the ‘hunger gap’, leaving as many as 1.5 million people extremely vulnerable to food shortages. We know that as many as one in six people in this region are acutely malnourished and 130,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of ongoing conflict.

“The World Food Programme’s operation in Sudan is the largest of its emergency operations worldwide. The WFP’s immediate goal is to reduce the unacceptably high number of people dying and the incidence of acute malnutrition. They are also committed to assisting displaced people to return to their homes and increasing access to education, particularly for girls.

“This comprehensive response will save the lives of thousands of men, women and children, reduce hunger and restore the livelihoods of those affected by conflict and food shortages. I am delighted that Ireland’s contribution will help the WFP to implement this vital work. By placing the fight against hunger at the heart of our overseas aid programme, Ireland has taken a leadership role internationally on reducing hunger.

“Through Irish Aid, the Government has already provided €4.5 million in emergency humanitarian support for Sudan this year, and we have allocated a further €5.6 million to aid agencies working with vulnerable communities in Sudan, including Concern and Goal. Our support for community based programmes which focus on areas such as primary healthcare, education and rural development, tackle the root causes of hunger and poverty and ultimately help build a more sustainable future for the people of Sudan,” Minister Power said.

Update on Tue 5 Jan from Sudan Watch Ed: Thanks to eagle eyed Sudan Radio Service (hi Charles!) I have amended the title of this entry. Ireland kindly provided the funding, not the UK. Apologies for lapse in concentration. Posting is light here lately, not feeling well enough, hope to catch up soon.