February 2008 Monthly Forecast

Posted 29 January 2008
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  • Sierra Leone

    The Council is likely to consider a report from the Secretary-General on a completion strategy for the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL). Under resolution 1793 this was due by 31 January. Read more

  • Overview

    In February, Panama will have the presidency of the Council. A major focus will be increasing the number of Council meetings opened to participation from the wider UN membership. An important thematic debate is scheduled for 12 February on Children... Read more

  • Timor-Leste

    The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which expires on 26 February. There is some interest in looking into UNMIT’s mandate in light of the Council visit last November. It is unclear whether adjustments will be necessary. Read more

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

    The Council is expected to renew the sanctions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as the mandate of the Group of Experts, which expire on 15 February. Read more

  • Lebanon

    The Council will continue to follow events in Lebanon closely, particularly the ongoing negotiations regarding the presidential election. The Council’s position on the need to resolve the impasse quickly is clearly on record. Further Council action is only expected in February in the event of specific adverse incidents. Read more

  • Conflict Prevention

    The Security Council Working Group on Conflict Prevention has before it the Secretary-General’s report on implementation of resolution 1625. Recommendations from a 3 December seminar organised by the Working Group are also available. However, it is unclear whether proposals will come forward for Council action on this issue in February, or perhaps in April when South Africa has the Council presidency. Read more

  • Children and Armed Conflict

    The Council is expected to discuss the Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict in an open debate on 12 February. The Foreign Minister of Panama is expected to preside and the Foreign Minister of France seems likely to attend. Read more

  • Iran

    At time of writing, elements of a third resolution on sanctions against Iran were being shared in bilateral meetings with the elected members of the Council. This process makes it likely that formal discussion in the Council will be in February. Read more

  • Sudan/Darfur

    The Council is expected to focus more closely on the difficulties surrounding the deployment of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and is likely to seek briefings on meetings between the Secretariat and Sudan, including expected discussions in the margins of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa from 25 January to 3 February. Read more

  • Status Update

    Status Update of Security Council Activity in January 2008 Read more

  • Western Sahara

    A report is due by 31 January on the talks convened by the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Peter van Walsum, involving Morocco and the Polisario. It seems that an advanced copy was circulated to Council members on 28 January. The Council is likely to discuss this report in informal consultations during February. Read more

  • Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate

    The report of the executive director of theCounter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) pursuant to resolution 1787, which extended the CTED’s mandate until 31 March, will provide the framework for an in-depth review of the CTED by the Council.  Read more

  • Somalia

    The Council is expected to renew authorisation for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which expires on 20 February. An open debate is also expected in mid-January. The Council is also due to receive a report from the Secretary-General on contingency planning for UN peacekeeping in Somalia, as well as options for strengthening AMISOM. It is unclear whether the report will be ready before the AMISOM reauthorisation. Read more

  • Security Council Statistics for 2007

    Security Council output fell significantly in 2007. The number of resolutions dropped from 87 to 56, while the total of presidential statements fell from 59 to 50. The combined figures represent a fall of 27 percent—or 40 fewer decisions in 2007 than in 2006. Read more

  • Aide Memoire

    Important matters pending before the Council include: The Council is yet to follow up on the Secretary-General’s recommendations on protection of civilians contained in his report of 28 October 2007. The Council requested the Secretary-General on 29 November 2006 (S/2006/928)... Read more

  • Notable Dates

    Notable dates for February 2008. Read more

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