March 2007 Monthly Forecast

• Iraq

  No Council action is expected in response to the quarterly report of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) due 8 March. On 15 March the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, will brief the Council. The US will also give a briefing on the activities of the Multinational Force (MNF). Read more

• Overview

  South Africa will have the presidency of the Council in March. No thematic debates are currently planned—although some event to mark International Women’s Day is possible and a thematic discussion later in the month cannot be ruled out. Other planned... Read more

• Somalia

  Council members, encouraged in February by what they saw as a window of opportunity in Somalia, will be looking anxiously at developments in the country, particularly the slow progress with the deployment of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The findings of the UN assessment mission will also be a focus.  Read more

• Sudan/Darfur

  With the crisis in Darfur reaching more serious proportions each month, the Council is expected to take up the question again in March, particularly Khartoum's delayed response to the Secretary-General's heavy support proposal. It will also be pushing for prompt AU-UN agreement on the hybrid operation. Read more

• Afghanistan

  The Council is expected to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which expires on 24 March. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Afghanistan, Tom Koenigs, will likely brief the Council. Read more

• Côte d’Ivoire

  The Secretary-General's report on the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) is due on 5 March. The Council is expected to review progress in the dialogue between Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and the rebel Forces Nouvelles leader Guillaume Soro. A visit by the Council to Côte d'Ivoire may be discussed, but wider action seems unlikely. Read more

• Guinea-Bissau

  In March the Council will receive the Secretary-General's quarterly report on the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS), mandated by resolution 1580. The Council in December renewed the UNOGBIS mandate for 12 months through an exchange of letters with the Secretary-General. Read more

• Chad/CAR

  Discussions on a robust protection force for eastern Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) will continue. The level of momentum suggests a final decision will be reached in March. Read more

• Kosovo

  The final report by Maarti Ahtisaari, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Future Status Process for Kosovo, is expected to be transmitted to the Council during March. No Council action is expected during the month though there will be active bilateral discussions. The Council may meet on the issue in April and a draft resolution on Kosovo is likely to emerge before long. Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable dates for March 2007. Read more

• Lebanon

  On 12 March the Council is due to receive the quarterly report on resolution 1701, which brought about the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Recommendations on the status of the Sheb'a Farms are also expected. A presidential statement is possible. Read more

• Peacebuilding Commission

  In March, the Council will hold consultations on the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). It intends to take stock of the remarks and discuss suggestions made at the 31 January open debate on the PBC, particularly on improving the working relationship between the Council and the PBC. No formal outcome is expected. Read more

• Liberia

  The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which expires on 31 March. Members await recommendations from the Secretary-General on UNMIL's future size. A decrease in troop levels is possible in view of the current pressure on peacekeeping resources for other proposed deployments in Africa. Read more

• Upcoming Issues in Sanctions Committees

  Somalia Sanctions (751 Committee) The Committee is likely to begin receiving shortly applications under resolution 1744 for exemptions covering supply of material to support the Transitional Federal Government.  These are likely to be proposed under a “no objection” procedure.  Meetings may not... Read more

• Aide Memoire

  Important matters pending before the Council include: The  2005 World Summit requested reforms relating to the Military Staff Committee. This has yet to be addressed. Implementation of the phased approach for Darfur as agreed in Abuja in November 2006 is lagging.... Read more

• Status Update

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