May 2013 Monthly Forecast

• Overview

  Togo will preside over the Security Council in May.  Read more

• Status Update

  Recent developments on situations covered in this Forecast are in the relevant briefs. Interesting developments on other issues are included in this Status Update of Security Council activity in April 2013.  Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable Dates for May 2013 Read more

• In Hindsight: Horizon-Scanning Briefings

  From November 2010 through March 2012, with a break in December 2010 during the US presidency of the Council), “horizon-scanning” briefings by the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) were a regular feature of the programme of work of the Security Council. The UK initiated these briefings to provide the Council with information that might allow for better preventive diplomacy and conflict prevention. Additionally it was hoped that this format would allow for an unscripted exchange of ideas. Read more

• Peace and Security in Africa

  In May, the Council is expected to be briefed in consultations by the Secretary General’sSpecial Envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi, on the Secretary-General’s report on the Sahel. The Council also expects to hold a debate on “Peace and Security in Africa: the challenges of the fight against terrorism in Africa in the context of maintaining international peace and security” with a briefing from the Secretary-General. Read more

• Mali

  Following the adoption of resolution 2100 on 25 April, which established the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), at press time Mali was not likely to be on the May programme of work of the Council. However, the situation in Mali might be addressed in the broader context of the Sahel. Read more

• Libya

  In May, the Council is due to receive the semi-annual briefing by International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who is expected to update the Council on recent developments concerning cases in Libya. Read more

• Guinea-Bissau

  In May, the Council expects a briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNIOGBIS on the Secretary-General’s consolidated report due 30 April. The Council is likely to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of UNIOGBIS, which expires 31 May. Read more

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  In May, the Security Council may be briefed in consultations by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, following her first trip to the region. Read more

• Central African Republic

  In May, the Security Council expects a briefing by Margaret Vogt, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA), followed by consultations on the latest Secretary-General’s report on BINUCA. The report, originally due 31 March, was postponed until 30 April to take into account recent developments. Read more

• UNOCA/LRA

  In May, the Security Council expects a briefing on the Secretary-General’s report on the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and on the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) by Abou Moussa, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNOCA. Read more

• Sudan and South Sudan

  In May, the Security Council is expected to hold two meetings, likely in consultations, on Sudan-South Sudan issues in accordance with resolution 2046. It will also likely discuss in consultations the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) and renew its mandate, which expires on 31 May. Read more

• Sudan/Darfur

  In May, Ambassador María Cristina Perceval (Argentina), chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee, will provide the quarterly briefing on the work of the Committee’s work to Council members in consultations. Read more

• Somalia

  In May, the Council is expected to adopt a resolution creating a UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Read more

• Kosovo

  In May, Farid Zarif, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), is scheduled to brief the Council during a quarterly debate. Zarif will update the Council on the Secretary-General’s report due 29 April and on other recent developments, particularly the outcome of EU-mediated talks in Brussels between Serbia and Kosovo. Read more

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

  In May, the Council is due to hold a semi-annual meeting on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valentin Inzko, is expected to brief the Council. No outcome is expected. Read more

• Lebanon

  In May, Council members expect to receive the semi-annual briefing in consultations from Special Envoy Terje Rød-Larsen on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 1559 (S/2013/234). Read more

• DPRK (North Korea)

  In May, the chair of the 1718 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Sylvie Lucas (Luxembourg), is scheduled to brief Council members in consultations. Read more