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Tag: AU

  • António Guterres appoints Mamabolo Joint Special Representative for Darfur

    ImageFile: António Guterres appoints Mamabolo Joint Special Representative for Darfur
    António Guterres, UNSG.

    United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, today announced the appointment of South African Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo as acting Joint Special Representative for Darfur (JSRD) after firing Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, a Nigerian occupying the position formerly.

    Uhomoibhi was appointed Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in October 2015 until he was relieved of his duties for Mamabolo to take over.

    Mamabolo was commissioned to head the UNAMID as well by the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

    Both the UNSG and the AU Chief expressed gratefulness to Uhomoibhi for his service during his tenure.

    The incoming JSRD and UNAMID head brings to the position first-hand experience in dealing with the situation in Darfur, as well as expertise from his distinguished career in the diplomatic service. Since 2016, he has been serving UNAMID as Deputy Joint Special Representative for Pillar I, overseeing political, human rights, and legal aspects of the Mission’s activities.

    From 2013 to 2016, he served as Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during which he also acted as Chair of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China. In 2009, Mamabolo was appointed High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria.

    Previously, Mamabolo facilitated peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi as his country’s Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region (2006-2009). He also served as Deputy Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002-2006).

    Mamabolo held other senior positions, such as the Permanent Representative to the AU, accredited also to Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti (1999-2002). During that time, he led efforts to promote dialogue in post-war Sierra Leone in his capacity as Special Envoy of the AU to Sierra Leone and the Mano River Basin (2001-2002). He also served as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe (1995-1999).

    Mamabolo holds a Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a diploma in journalism from Harare Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe.

    Born in 1955, he is married and has four children.

  • UN Peacekeeping Head advocates peaceful transition in DRC

    Addressing the Security Council, the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations today urged the international community to push for a swift endorsement of the 31 December political accord in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and to put in place a transitional government of national unity.

    “The signing of the 31 December accord gives hope for a peaceful resolution of the political impasse,” the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, told the 15-member Council.

    He warned that failure to sign the agreement, facilitated by Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Congo (CENCO) mediators and reached in DRC’s capital Kinshasa on 31 December 2016, could delay elections and increase the risk of renewed political crisis and increased violence in the country.

    “Regional and international actors should maintain strong support for the implementation of the accord and the holding of elections, as soon as feasible,” Mr. Ladsous said.

    The accord builds on an initial political agreement between part of the opposition and the majorité présidentielle reached in October under the auspices of the African Union (AU) facilitation. It aims for a peacefully managed transition consistent with the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution.

    In addition to political developments in the country, Mr. Ladsous addressed recent human rights violations and acts of violence that occurred on 19 and 20 December. At least 42 people were killed and 140 others injured in clashed between national security forces and demonstrators.

    The senior UN official called on the Congolese Government “to initiate a full investigation into the events that led to the excessive use of force and loss of life” during that time period, and to ensure that those responsible are held to account.

    He went on to cite the ongoing volatility in the security situation in eastern DRC. In addition to the threat posed by foreign armed groups, namely the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR), the activities of militia groups are on the rise in many parts of the country. “This increase in levels of armed violence is driven in part by the escalation of deep-rooted and long-standing conflicts between ethnic communities,” he noted.

    Mr. Ladsous said that the UN Secretariat and the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the country (MONUSCO) remain committed to working in support of the accord and the Congolese, and will present to the Security Council recommendations for how to best attain this goal.

  • AU, Somalia condemn terror attacks, vow to fight extremism

    AU, Somalia condemn terror attacks, vow to fight extremism

    Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and African Union (AU) top envoy on Monday condemned Sunday’s Mogadishu seaport attack in Somalia and vowed to defeat extremists as death toll rose to 29.

    Mohamud in a statement called on security forces in the country to be on high alert to prevent any other attacks noting that innocent people have lost their lives and families.

    “I condemn these brutal attacks against our people. The priority of these groups is to destroy the people of this country whether civilians, community or security forces,” he said in Mogadishu.

    A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was detonated on Sunday morning a few meters away from the entrance of the seaport, where civilians normally gather; which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for.

    Most of the victims turned out to be truck drivers and port workers who were having tea in tea kiosks when the bomb went off on Sunday morning.

    At least 29 people were killed and several others sustained injuries. The Somali leader said the attack would not break his people but unite them more in the fight against terror.

    “We will do our best to eliminate these groups in due course,” the president added.

    Parliamentary Elections are ongoing in Mogadishu and various parts of the country ahead of the December 28 presidential vote.

    In his statement, the AU Special Representative, Francisco Madeira, also condemned the terrorist attack in Mogadishu and urged vigilance.

    Madeira said a deliberate attack on civilians going about their lives is not only heinous but also attests to Al-Shabaab’s lack of consideration for human life.

    “By disrupting and taking the lives of innocent Somali citizens and denying them the right to go about their daily life freely, peacefully and in confidence, Al-Shabaab is desperately struggling to remain relevant after AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces have effectively prevented them from making true their decision to disrupt the electoral process which is now nearing completion,” he said.

  • Presidency reacts to Minister of Environment UN announcement

    Presidency reacts to Minister of Environment UN announcement

    Nigeria’s Presidency has reacted to reports on the alleged appointment of Amina Mohammed, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, as Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of the United Nations (UN), saying “she remains our Minister of Environment”.

    TheNewsGuru reported that the Nigeria’s Minister of Environment is to become the new UN DSG to newly elected UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, according a tweet by CBS news reporter for the United Nations, Pamela Falk.

    But, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari has made a number of tweets to assure Nigerians would be fully informed on any development on the matter.

    “There is a lot of exuberance on the net concerning a UN job for Mrs @AminaJMohammed,” the senior special assistant tweeted, adding that “She remains our Minister of @FMEnvng”.

    He stressed “If there is anything on this that is released officially, we will let Nigerians know”.

    “I am pleased to know that she enjoys so much goodwill,” he added.

    If the reports making the rounds are confirmed, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, is expected to be deputy to Antonio Guterres, who will assume office as UN Secretary-General effective January 1, 2017.

    Mohammed, who hails from Gombe State in North-East Nigeria, had formerly served as adviser to the outgoing UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.

    Mohammed was appointed minister of Environment by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015. She was also recently appointed by President Buhari to serve in the African Union (AU) Reform Steering Committee as Nigeria’s Representative.

  • Nigeria’s Minister of Environment to become UN Deputy Sec-Gen

    Nigeria’s Minister of Environment to become UN Deputy Sec-Gen

    Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, will soon be confirmed as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations according to reports.

    If confirmed, she would deputise for newly elected Antonio Guterres who is set to take office as the UN scribe on January 1, 2016.

    According to a tweet by Pamela Falk, CBS news reporter for the United Nations, the world body would soon release a statement confirming the appointment of the Buhari’s Minister.

    Until her appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in November 2015, she was the Assistant Secretary/Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary General on Post-2015 Development Planning.

     

    Amina Mohammed was also recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve in the African Union (AU) Reform Steering Committee as the Nigerian representative.

    The committee, headed by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda is tasked with ongoing institutional reforms of the AU Commission and its organs.

    The committee which comprises eminent persons from the continent will work on part-time basis to produce a report for presentation to the 28th African Union Summit in January 2017.

    A versatile and accomplished development practitioner in the public, private and civil society sectors with over three decades experience, Mrs Mohammed had served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on MDGs, serving three Presidents over a period of six years.

    The new Secretary General is expected to take his oath of office on 1 January, 2017.

  • AU welcomes Gambian election results

    AU welcomes Gambian election results

    The African Union (AU) on Monday welcomed the Gambian election results.

    According to an AU statement sent to newsmen, AU is congratulating the President-elect, while hailing the maturity of the people and the outgoing president.

    “Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, has congratulated President-elect of Republic of the Gambia, Adama Barrow, following his victory in the presidential elections held on Dec. 1, 2016,’’ the statement said.

    The AU noted that the Independent Electoral Commission declared opposition leader Adama Barrow winner, following elections described by a group of AU Observers as peaceful, credible and transparent.

    The AU also hailed the statesmanship of outgoing President Yahya Jammeh for gracefully accepting the outcome of the elections.

    Dlamini-Zuma commended the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.

    The chairperson also hailed the people for peacefully and orderly participating in the polls, in spite of challenges.

    She noted that the stakeholders’ participation was an evidence of the level of maturity of the political system and a demonstration of patriotism of the Gambians.

    The chairperson invited all parties involved in the political process to continue to display maturity and embrace dialogue in line with mechanisms adopted with regards to consolidate democracy, inclusiveness, the rule of law, peace and security.

    She reaffirmed the determination of AU to support Gambia.

    Dlamini-Zuma urged neighbours and the international community to provide the necessary support that the country required to guarantee democratic stability and unity.