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Secretary-General Statements

Secretary-General Outraged by Murder of Civilians in Democratic Republic of Congo, Calls on Armed Groups to Immediately Cease Attacks

22 Oct 2018 | New York
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres: The Secretary-General is outraged by the continued killing and abduction of civilians by armed groups in the Beni area of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He condemns Saturday's killing of at least 11 civilians, including one boy, as well as the injury and abduction of several more during an attack on the town of Mayongose on the outskirts of Beni.

Africa Driving Own Agenda in Peace, Security, Development, Secretary-General Says, Applauding United Nations-African Union Partnership

17 Oct 2018 | New York
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Africa Dialogue Series 2018 “A Stronger AU-UN Partnership for Peace, Security and Development in Africa”, in New York today: It is a great honour to be here with you and to participate in the inaugural Africa Dialogue Series.  It is fitting that we started by paying tribute today to Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan, two sons of Africa who continue to inspire us every day.

Secretary-General Urges Greater Support for Central African Republic Leadership Efforts from War to Peace, in High-Level Meeting on Situation

27 Sep 2018 | New York
Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the high‑level meeting on the Central African Republic, in New York today: I am pleased to join you and I thank you for participating.  The situation in the Central African Republic is stable, despite continuous incidents and sporadic resurgences of violence.  But much more needs to be done to secure peace and stability across the country.

Secretary-General's remarks at the high-level meeting on Mali and the Sahel

26 Sep 2018
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the high-level meeting on Mali and the Sahel, in New York today: Before I begin, please join me in a moment of silence for all those who sacrificed their lives for peace in Mali and the Sahel.  Thank you. In May, I had the honour of visiting Mali.  I was there to express my solidarity with the Malian people during Ramadan — and our MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali] forces on Peacekeepers Day.

Secretary-General's remarks to High-Level Meeting on Peacekeeping [bilingual, as delivered]

25 Sep 2018
[scroll further down for all-English version] It is a pleasure to welcome you to this high-level meeting on Action for Peacekeeping, that also marks the 70th anniversary of United Nations peace operations. Last year, I visited Bangassou in the Central African Republic and laid a wreath in memory of the Moroccan and Cambodian peacekeepers who were killed there. It was a humbling experience. I feel a personal responsibility for the loss of every peacekeeper. Many of you here today have taken part in similar ceremonies. You understand the pain of every loss.

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Mali's presidential election [scroll down for French version]

28 Jul 2018 | New York, 28 July 2018
The Secretary-General is closely following developments in Mali ahead of the presidential election scheduled to take place on 29 July 2018.  

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on attack against MINUSMA in Timbuktu, Mali (scroll down for French)

15 Apr 2018
The Secretary-General conveys his condolences to the Government of Burkina Faso, and the family and loved ones of the deceased, and wishes a swift recovery to the injured. He pays tribute to the courage of the men and women serving in MINUSMA, Malian and international forces at great personal risk and sacrifice.

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the killing of a UN peacekeeper in the Central African Republic

10 Apr 2018
The Secretary-General condemns the killing of a Rwandan peacekeeper and the wounding of eight others of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 10 April, in Bangui during an exchange of fire with armed elements.   The incident follows a joint operation launched on 8 April by MINUSCA and the Central African forces and police to disarm and arrest heavily armed criminal groups.  

Secretary-General's remarks to Security Council High-Level Debate on Collective Action to Improve UN Peacekeeping Operations

28 Mar 2018
Mr. President, I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands for organizing this important debate and I thank you Prime Minister Mark Rutte for presiding it. I have addressed this Council several times over the past year on peacekeeping reform.   It is now time to take action together.   At its best, UN peacekeeping is a remarkable enterprise of multilateralism and international solidarity.  

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

27 Jan 2018 | New York
The Secretary-General condemns the killing of a peacekeeper from Pakistan deployed with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) following an ambush by members of an armed ‪group today near Lulimba, 96 km south west of Baraka, in South Kivu Province. At least one other peacekeeper was wounded in the attack.