On November 5, Guang Cong, the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, briefed the United Nations Security Council regarding ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the potential risks to stability in the border region with South Sudan. Cong condemned recent drone attacks in the Amiet market that resulted in fatalities and called for enhanced civilian protection and accountability.
Cong acknowledged the resumption of security discussions between Sudan and South Sudan but emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue and progressing negotiations concerning Abyei’s final status. He also expressed concerns about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, urging intensified diplomatic efforts to avert further escalation of the conflicts.
In Colombia, students at the San Antonio Educational Institution in Manaure, Cesar, engaged in an educational initiative exploring the implementation of the country’s peace agreements through a virtual reality experience called Caminos de Colombia, offered by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. This educational program, named Huellas de Paz (Footprints of Peace), promotes peace through learning, dialogue, and reflection, specifically involving children from families of peace agreement signatories.
On the same day in Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, met with the co-chairs of 13 Technical Committees that facilitate cooperation between the island’s communities. The Committees, supported by the United Nations Good Offices Mission, aim to address shared concerns and foster trust by promoting practical collaboration.
The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) hosted an online session on November 4, aimed at young professionals from Central Asia and Afghanistan. The session involved discussions introduced by Peter Naderer, Senior Adviser at the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, regarding the role of early warning, early action, and quiet diplomacy in conflict prevention. Participants studied the influence of ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity on conflict dynamics and explored proactive strategies to mitigate inter-ethnic tensions.
Additionally, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) completed the sixth edition of its Women in Ceasefire Negotiations Course on November 4. The 10-week program aimed to enhance women peacebuilders’ skills for negotiating ceasefires and security arrangements. Through this initiative, participants from various conflict backgrounds gained essential tools for meaningful engagement in peace negotiations, advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
