Topics of the week: Switzerland, Haiti, Congo DRC, Mediterranean refugees, African Union, Somalia, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Nord Stream
Switzerland: Switzerland holds the rotating presidency of the Council in October. In addition to routine business and possible emergency meetings, she is planning for the second
Two major debates in the middle of the month. One is a debate about the importance of scientific innovation (anticipating the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security) with Federal Councilor Cassis. The other is the annual debate on “Women, Peace, Security”, which is intended to be enhanced with the presence of Federal President Amherd.
Haiti: The Council unanimously extended the Kenya-led international police assistance mission for one year. Their task is to support the Haitian police in the fight against drug gangs (gangs) to support those who have the country under control. A contingent of 2,500 armed people is planned, of which only 410 have arrived in the country so far. Both the provision of personnel and the financing of the operation are funded by individual states trust fund progress is slow. The desire of Ecuador and the USA to later convert the force into a UN peacekeeping force was successfully repelled by Russia and China.
Congo DRC: The gradual withdrawal of the UN peacekeepers MONUSCO from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and their replacement by a protection force from the South African Development Community SADC (South African Development Community) is one of the most delicate undertakings in the area of UN peace efforts. Phase I has been completed, MONUSCO has withdrawn from South Kivu, and SADC troops have begun joint exercises with the Congolese government army. In parallel, African peace diplomacy led by Angola has brokered a ceasefire between the government army and Rwanda, which is interfering in the fighting in eastern Congo. In the council, the head of MONUSCO praised what had been achieved. She emphasized, however, that the security situation remains “tense” and that the “challenges” are “terrifying”. The Rwandan-backed M23 militia continues to expand, fighting between rival groups has intensified in Ituri province, humanitarian needs are increasing and violence against women and girls – from all sides – remains unparalleled. The representative of a women’s organization told the council that 90,000 cases of sexual violence were documented last year and 300 women and girls were mass raped in Makala prison in the capital Kinshasa. Several council members called for “protection of civilians.” The USA declared that no further withdrawal of MONUSCO should be decided until the security gaps in South Kivu were closed. Rwanda and Congo-DRC accused each other of keeping the conflict alive. Switzerland deplored the impunity for crimes against women and girls and called for the rule of law throughout the country.
Mediterranean refugees from Libya: The UN mandate to inspect ships suspected of human smuggling from Libya on the high seas has expired and will be terminated at the decision of the penholder France not extended. Particularly affected is the EU operation “Irini”, which has been aimed primarily at arms smuggling into Libya since 2020, but also aims to prevent people smuggling from Libya. At Russia’s request, the council discussed the effects of the measures. The representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that this year migration movements across the Mediterranean to Europe had decreased by 24 percent, but the influx of Sudanese refugees in particular to Libya was increasing. The International Migration Organization official said at least 1,450 migrant deaths had been documented in the Mediterranean this year and almost half of migrants on the “central Mediterranean route” were subjected to physical abuse. Russia accused the Europeans of not rescuing ships in distress and blocking the arrival of refugee ships. European Council members said Irini would continue to operate without a UN mandate because the operation was covered by international maritime law. Switzerland did not comment on the incidents in the Mediterranean or on the EU’s measures. She showed herself deeply concerned about the fate of the migrants, called for (as the UN migration pact, which was initially rejected by the government and parliament), more protection for those at risk ( strengthen the protection of people in vulnerable situations along migratory routes) and “integrative solutions” that go beyond the state and include society as a whole.
African Union: Closer cooperation between the UN and the African Union (AU) in the area of peacekeeping was at the center of the annual debate on the relationship between the two organizations. Last year, the Security Council opened the door to financing AU peace operations with UN funds, and the details are currently being examined. The first use case is Somalia, where the UN mission and a military AU “transition mission” are currently being carried out. The representatives of the AU and several other countries – including Switzerland – emphasized the connection between climate change and threats to security. Switzerland underlined Africa’s economic potential as a young “continent of the future”: “By 2050, 40 percent of the world’s young people will live on the African continent. Young Africans will play a key role in creating the future of the world”.
Somalia: The representative of the UN mission UNSOM and the AU mission ATMIS informed the council about the status of the development of state institutions and the takeover of security and police functions by the Somali state. The current configuration of international aid is scheduled to be replaced at the beginning of 2025. Many Council members pointed to the ongoing activity of the Islamist Al Shabaab, which recently drew attention with an attack in Mogadishu. Switzerland said Somalia was in a “moment of hope”. She emphasized the principle of “one person, one voice” in building state institutions, underlined the need for the inclusion of women and called for compliance with international law in the fight against Al Shabaab. She pointed to four executions in Puntland, whose victims were convicted for acts they committed as minors.
Lebanon, Israel, Iran: At French request, the Council addressed the escalation of violence between Israel, Iran and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. The UN Secretary General called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for no further strikes: “This tit for tat must stop. France demanded approval of the Franco-American proposal for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon. The US stood behind Israel and demanded that the council condemn Iran for its missile attack and impose “severe consequences” on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Israel said it would “act.” Iran is the “enemy of all civilized nations”. Switzerland, concerned at the highestcalled for compliance with international humanitarian law and expressed support for all peace efforts.
Golan: Behind closed doors, the Council discussed the UN observation force in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria UNDOF (UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan) let teach.
Nord Stream: After two years, investigations into the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea are underway. At Russia’s request, the Council considered the state of affairs. The usual appearance of a UN representative as briefer remained out. Russia said the completed investigations in Sweden and Denmark had only established the obvious, that the destruction of the lines was an act of sabotage. The ongoing German investigation is not transparent and is being sabotaged by the USA “and its allies”. Neither Germany, Sweden nor Denmark appeared at the meeting. Some states – including Slovenia – called for an international investigation. Several Council members pointed out the contradiction between Russia’s complaint about the fate of Nord Stream and the massive destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by the Russian army. Switzerland spoke but said little. As the Council Presidency for the month of October, she has got rid of a hot potato: Russia declared that it would no longer take part in negotiations on a “presidential declaration” on the subject. The Council had tried repeatedly and over a long period of time.
