November 2005 Monthly Forecast

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  The Council mission will meet with a range of parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to convey support for the transition process and help build confidence in the lead up to elections. Read more

• Lebanon/Syria

  At press time, Council members are deep in private discussion of possible action on the report into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri from the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission. Read more

• Security Council Subsidiary Bodies

  The chairmen of the Sanctions Committees on Al-Qaida/Taliban, Liberia and Somalia have recently outlined significant problems besetting the effective implementation of the sanctions measures, including evidence of significant sanctions violations by states, groups and individuals. In light of these reports, the Council has renewed the relevant sanctions measures and broadened the mandates of committees and their experts for monitoring the implementation of the sanctions. Read more

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Reauthorisation of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) is expected before 01 December, when its mandate expires. The Council is also likely to encourage ongoing efforts for police reform. It may also address the need to arrest those indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) who still remain at large. Read more

• Darfur

  The Council will again take up the problem of Darfur, but will struggle to reach agreement on new measures to impact on the level of violence or the difficulties faced by the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). The findings in the interim report of the Sanctions Committee's Panel of Experts could lead to some action on the sanctions front. Read more

• Women, Peace and Security

  As this edition goes to press, a presidential statement urging the full implementation of resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, as well as welcoming the Secretary-General's provision of an action plan for the resolution, is expected to be the outcome of the 27 October open debate on this issue. The debate will focus on women's participation in peace processes, a theme proposed by the Romanian presidency, and will feature two speakers from civil society. Read more

• Council Mission to Central Africa

  The Council is expected to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania from November 04 to 11. A report on the visit is expected in November. Read more

• Burundi

  Based on the report of the Secretary-General due 15 November, the Council will address the renewal and possible modification of the UN Operation in Burundi, whose mandate expires on 01 December. Read more

• Election of Five Judges of the International Court of Justice

  On 07 November, the Security Council and the General Assembly will elect five new judges to fill vacancies on the 15-member International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Statute of the ICJ, in article 8, provides that the "General Assembly and the Security Council shall proceed independently of one another to elect the members of the Court". Read more

• Central African Republic

  The Security Council will consider the report of the Secretary-General on the Central African Republic (CAR), due by 31 October 2005. Read more

• Overview

  The following issues will be high in the minds of Council members, for November, although perhaps not all will be on the Council work programme at the outset: Lebanon/Syria, Darfur, Council mission to central Africa, and the DRC. Other issues,... Read more