May 2007 Monthly Forecast

• Lebanon

  The fifth semi-annual report on the implementation of resolution 1559, due 19 April, was postponed because the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy Terje Røed-Larsen was in Syria with the Secretary-General. Consultations previously scheduled for 30 April were delayed. These are likely to take place in early May. A presidential statement is likely. Read more

• Overview

  The United States will have the Council presidency in May. At this stage, no thematic debates are planned. The new US Permanent Representative, Zalmay Khalilzad, who comes to the UN with recent experience as an ambassador in two countries on... Read more

• Chad/CAR

  The Council is likely to maintain a wait-and-see approach while the Secretariat and some Council members try to engage Chad about consent for the proposed UN peacekeeping operation. A Secretariat team may visit Chad in May. However, the momentum seems to have waned and agreement is unlikely anytime soon. Read more

• Somalia

  At press time, Council members were negotiating a possible presidential statement expressing grave concern about the humanitarian situation and calling for support for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). It was unclear if or when the statement will be adopted. Read more

• Children and Armed Conflict

  The Council is expected to receive recommendations from its Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict regarding children affected by conflict in Sri Lanka and Nepal. The chairman of the Working Group is expected to convey the Working Group's recommendations, including suggestions for possible Council action, and to brief the Council in informal consultations. Read more

• Sudan

  In May, Council members will turn increased attention to securing Khartoum's compliance with its commitments on the hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur. It remains to be seen whether the Council will also put weight behind the political process. At press time, Council members were negotiating a US draft renewing UNMIS for three months. Read more

• Sanctions Committees Overview

  Upcoming issues in Sanctions Committee as of May 2007. Read more

• Timor-Leste

  The Council will pay close attention to developments as the runoff elections in Timor-Leste, scheduled for 8 May, approach. A statement is possible, particularly if the security situation deteriorates. The mandate of the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) expires on 26 February 2008. Read more

• Sierra Leone

  In May the Council is expected to discuss the first periodic report on the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) and receive a briefing from the Secretary-General's Executive Representative, Victor Angelo. The report is expected to focus on recent developments and progress made on election preparations. UNIOSIL's mandate expires on 31 December. Read more

• Status Update

  Status Update of Security Council Activity in April 2007. Read more

• Côte d’Ivoire

  By 15 May the Council will receive recommendations from the Secretary-General on the UN's role in supporting the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire. Discussions are expected to focus on how to help implement the recent Ouagadougou peace agreement and, more broadly, on the degree of international involvement in the process leading to the elections. Read more

• Ethiopia/Eritrea

  In May the Council is expected to consider the regular report of the Secretary-General on Ethiopia and Eritrea, which is due by 30 April. Read more

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) by 15 May. Read more

• Kosovo

  In early May the Council is expected to consider the report from its April mission to Kosovo and move closer to deciding how to handle the report released in March by Martti Ahtisaari, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Future Status Process for Kosovo. Ahtisaari recommended independence for Kosovo supervised by the international community. Read more

• Nepal

  The Council is expected to discuss the first report of the Secretary-General on the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and be briefed by Ian Martin, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Nepal. The report is expected to focus on preparations for and feasibility of the constituent assembly elections in mid-June and update the Council on progress made since UNMIN was set up in January for 12 months. Read more

• Security Council Elections

  In October the General Assembly will hold elections for five seats on the Security Council to replace Congo, Ghana, Peru, Qatar and Slovakia. Please see our 2006 Special Research Report (14 August 2006) for a detailed description of Council election procedures and processes. Read more

• Iran

  By 23 May the Council expects to receive the report of the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohammed ElBaradei, on Iran's compliance with resolution 1747, which in March imposed additional measures against Iran. A negative report from the IAEA is expected.   Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable dates for May 2007. Read more

• Aide Memoire

  Important matters pending before the Council include: The formation of the tribunal of international character to prosecute the suspects in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is still pending. On 6 February, Lebanon and the UN, with... Read more

• Liberia

  The Council is expected to review Liberia diamond sanctions by 20 April. A briefing by the chair of the Liberia Sanctions Committee (1521 Committee) is likely. Preceding the review, the Committee expects a briefing by the Panel of Experts. Read more

• Upcoming Issues in Sanctions Committees

  Somalia Sanctions (751 Committee) See Somalia brief in this issue. Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions (1267 Committee) The Committee is expected to take up the review, required under its recently revised guidelines, of names on the Consolidated List that have not been updated... Read more

• Georgia

  The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) which expires on 15 April. Read more