October 2012 Monthly Forecast

Overview

Guatemala will preside over the Security Council in October.  It is planning to hold three open debates during the month. In mid-October, an open debate on the role of the International Criminal Court and its relation to the Council will be chaired by Foreign Minister Harold Caballeros. The Secretary-General may brief the Council. The quarterly open debate on the Middle East is also planned, with a briefing by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman. Late in the month, the annual open debate on women, peace and security is expected, with the head of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet and the head of UN peacekeeping, Hervé Ladsous, expected as briefers. The Secretary-General may also address the Council.

Two country-specific debates are expected: a debate on Haiti and the work of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) with a briefing by its head, Mariano Fernández; and a debate on Somalia and the work of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Augustine Mahiga, briefing (most likely by videoconference). The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamra, may also brief the Council.

The Council expects to be briefed by President Shireen Avis Fisher and Prosecutor Brenda Hollis of the Special Court for Sierra Leone on developments related to the final phase of its work. Members will also hold their annual private meeting with the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Peter Tomka.

Briefings in consultations are likely on:

In addition, briefings and consultations are possible on developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria, and on the plans for an international force in Mali.

Formal sessions will be needed to adopt resolutions renewing the mandate of MINUSTAH and the authorisations for AMISOM and the International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan (ISAF).

In line with Article 24(3) of the UN Charter, the Council plans to adopt its annual report to the General Assembly in October.

At press time, Council members were discussing plans for a possible visiting mission in October to Afghanistan and Yemen.

On 18 October, the General Assembly is scheduled to hold an election for the five non-permanent members of the Security Council who will replace Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa whose terms end on 31 December.

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