United Nations's video: Vaccine Solidarity Somalia Statement Sahel other topics - Daily Briefing 16 February 2021

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - SG/vaccine solidarity - Somalia statement - G5/Sahel - Libya - Iraq - Yemen - Ethiopia - CERF - CAR - UNHCR/DRC - UNHCR/Burundi SECURITY COUNCIL/COVID-19 Tomorrow morning, the Security Council will hold an open meeting by videoconference on the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to hearing a briefing from UNICEF’s Executive Director Henrietta Fore, Council members will hear from the Secretary-General. He will make some brief remarks, which will include a proposal to increase vaccine solidarity. LIBYA On Libya, mid-morning, the Secretary-General spoke by phone with Mohammad Younes Menfi, the President-elect of the Presidency Council of the Libyan National Unity Government, and with Abdul Hamid Dbeiba, the Libyan Prime Minister-designate. In his calls, the Secretary-General stressed the UN’s support to Libya’s elections, the monitoring of the ceasefire and the need for withdrawal of foreign forces. He continues to stress the need for national reconciliation and for the inclusion of 30 per cent of seats for women.   SAHEL This morning, the Secretary-General spoke by pre-recorded video message to the G5 Sahel Summit that is being held in N’Djamena in Chad. He said that, despite recent promising developments, he remains concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the region, in particular in Liptako-Gourma, which borders Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The spiral of violence there is aggravating an already difficult humanitarian situation. The Secretary-General said that the G5 Sahel has a key role to play in addressing this crisis and he called for sustained funding for the Joint Force. He added that, beyond the security response alone, development, the rule of law and good governance are the cornerstones of stability in the region. He noted that his Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel, Mar Dieye, will ensure that the links between the challenges in the humanitarian, climate, security, political and, of course, development fields are taken into account in a more integrated and more effective approach.   SOMALIA On Somalia, you will have noticed that this morning we also issued a joint statement from the Secretary-General and the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat. Both leaders commended the people and leaders of Somalia for progress achieved in recent years towards the stabilization of the country. The hard-won gains are a testimony to the firm determination of the people of Somalia towards lasting peace and prosperity, following decades of instability. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General call on Somali leaders to resume dialogue and work in a spirit of compromise to overcome the last political hurdles to inclusive elections as soon as possible and respecting the agreement they reached on 17 September 2020. Moussa Faki and Antonio Guterres reiterated their commitment to continue to support the government and people of Somalia on their path to peace and prosperity. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=16%20February%202021