January 2019 Monthly Forecast

• Overview

  The Dominican Republic takes on the presidency of the Security Council in January. Read more

• In Hindsight: The Security Council’s Quest for Accountability

  Over time, the Security Council has come to view upholding individual criminal accountability as integral to its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. In some situations, the Council has approached this accountability as a practical tool that can have impact on the ground, aware, as well, that persistent impunity for gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law may hamper its own ability to maintain or restore international peace and security. Read more

• Status Update

  Status Updates since our December Forecast Read more

• Yemen

  In January 2019, the Council will be following closely developments in Yemen and may be briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths. Resolution 2451, which endorsed the 13 December 2018 Stockholm Agreement, requested the Secretary-General to report on the resolution's implementation on a weekly basis, until further notice. Read more

• Climate Change and Security

  In January 2019, the Security Council will hold an open debate addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security. President Danilo Medina of the Dominican Republic is expected to chair the meeting, which will also include the participation of several member states at ministerial level. Read more

• Somalia

  In January 2019, the recently appointed Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Nicholas Haysom, will brief the Council, followed by consultations. The mandate of UNSOM expires on 27 March 2019. The authorisation of the AU Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) expires on 31 May 2019. Read more

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  In January 2019, the Council will monitor closely the political situation in the DRC after the elections, at press time scheduled for 30 December 2018. The Council will also be briefed, most likely by the Special Representative and head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), Leila Zerrougui, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on MONUSCO and the most recent developments. MONUSCO’s mandate expires on 31 March 2019. Read more

• Syria

  In January 2019, the Council will receive the monthly briefings on the humanitarian situation and the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Read more

• West Africa and the Sahel

  In January 2019, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), will brief the Council on developments in the region and the semi-annual UNOWAS report. Read more

• Mali

  In January 2019, the Council expects to receive a briefing from a representative of the Department of Peace Operations on the situation in Mali, followed by consultations. Read more

• Western Sahara

  In January 2019, Council members are expected to hold consultations on Western Sahara in accordance with resolution 2440 that requested the Secretary-General to brief the Council on a regular basis at any time he deems appropriate, including within three months of MINURSO’s renewal and again prior to the expiration of its mandate. The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Horst Köhler, is expected to brief. There may also be a briefer from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The mandate of MINURSO expires on 30 April 2019. Read more

• Sudan (Darfur)

  In January 2019, Ambassador Joanna Wronecka (Poland), chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee, is expected to provide the quarterly briefing to the Security Council on the committee’s work. Also in January, the Council expects to receive the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), as requested in resolution 2429; at press time a briefing on the report was not scheduled to take place and may occur in February. Read more

• Cyprus

  In January 2019, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ahead of its 31 January expiry. Special Representative and head of mission Elizabeth Spehar is expected to brief on the latest UNFICYP report and recent developments. A representative from the Department of Political Affairs might also brief. Read more

• Colombia

  In January 2019, the Council will receive a briefing on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. Consultations are expected to follow the briefing. Read more

• UNRCCA (Central Asia)

  In January 2019, the Special Representative and head of UNRCCA, Natalia Gherman, is expected to brief Council members in consultations on UNRCCA’s activities. Read more

• Libya

  In January 2019, the Council is expected to receive briefings by the Special Representative and head of UNSMIL, Ghassan Salamé. A briefing by the chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee is also expected. Read more

• Middle East (Israel/Palestine)

  In January 2019, the Security Council is expected to hold its quarterly open debate on the Middle East, focusing on Israel/Palestine. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov will likely brief. Read more