UN chief condemns ‘ongoing military coup’ in Sudan

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 25: UN Secretary-General, António Guterres on Monday condemned the “ongoing military coup” in Sudan, saying Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and all other officials, “must be released immediately.”

In a statement, he called for the "immediate reconstitution" of the Government, which is due to guide Sudan through to democratic elections.

Long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by the military following months of popular protest in April 2019, and a transitional government was set up comprising both military and civilian leadership, after a power-sharing agreement, that was due to lead to full democratic elections in 2023.

Now, according to news agencies, Sudan's military has dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and declared a state of emergency. Protesters have reportedly taken to the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and there are reports of gunfire.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the Secretary-General said that “there must be full respect for the constitutional charter to protect the hard-won political transition."

In a full statement issued later in the day, through his Spokesperson, Guterres said that "Sudanese stakeholders must immediately return to dialogue, and engage in good faith to restore the constitutional order and Sudan’s transitional process.

"The United Nations reiterates its unwavering commitment and support to the realization of Sudan’s political transition. Any attempts to undermine this transition process puts at risk Sudan’s security, stability and development.

He added that the UN "will continue to stand with the people of Sudan as they strive to fulfil their aspirations for a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future."

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also condemned the attempted coup.

“These actions threaten the Juba Peace Agreement and jeopardize the important progress made towards democracy and respect for human rights”, Michelle Bachelet said.

She called on military authorities to abide by the constitutional order and international law, withdraw from the streets, and resolve any differences with civilian leaders serving on the Transitional Council through dialogue and negotiation.

“I utterly deplore the reported arrest of the Prime Minister, several Ministers, leaders of the Forces of the Freedom and Change and other civil society representatives, and call for their immediate release”, she continued.

Ms. Bachelet also pointed out reports that the internet is down in the country and other means of communication are suspended.

“Blanket internet shutdowns contravene international law, and Internet and mobile services must be restored, as they are essential for people to seek and receive information, particularly in these unsettling circumstances”, she explained.

She asked military and security forces to refrain from unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, to respect people’s freedom of expression, as well as the right of peaceful assembly.

According to her, “it would be disastrous if Sudan goes backwards after finally bringing an end to decades of repressive dictatorship.”

“The country needs to move forward to consolidate democracy, a wish expressed countless times by the Sudanese people, including loudly and clearly on the streets last week and today”, she added.

The head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission Sudan (UNITAMS), also released a statement, declaring that the arrests of the Prime Minister, government officials and other politicians are “unacceptable.” 

“I call on the security forces to immediately release those who have been unlawfully detained or placed under house arrest”, Volker Perthes said. “It is the responsibility of these forces to ensure the security and wellbeing of people in their custody.” 

The UNITAMS chief, who acts as a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, also urged everyone involved to exercise the utmost restraint.

“All parties must immediately return to dialogue and engage in good faith to restore the constitutional order”, Mr. Perthes concluded.

World must act on ‘make or break moment’ in Afghanistan: UN chief António Guterres

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 11: Amidst a growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, on Monday UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the world to take action during a "make or break" momento for the country.

“If we do not act and help Afghans weather this storm, and do it soon, not only they but all the world will pay a heavy price”, Guterres told journalists, ahead of Tuesday, when G20 leading industrialized nations will meet to discuss the nation embroiled in crisis.

Currently, at least 18 million people, or about half of the country’s population are affected.

“Without food, without jobs, without their rights protected, we will see more and more Afghans fleeing their homes in search of a better life. The flow of illicit drugs, criminal and terrorist networks will also likely increase”, Guterres warned.

For him, “this will not only badly affect Afghanistan itself, but also the region and the rest of the world”.

Despite many obstacles, the UN has a massive humanitarian operation in the country.

Guterres said that UN agencies and other non-governmental organizations are in a “race against time” to deliver life-saving aid and preposition supplies ahead of winter.

“They won’t let up”, he assured.

In September alone, more than 3.8 million people received food assistance; 21,000 children and 10,000 women received treatment for acute malnutrition; and 32,000 people received non-food items including blankets and warm clothes for winter.

Besides that, around 450,000 people were reached with primary and secondary healthcare; 160,000 farmers and herders with livelihoods support; and 12,000 people with emergency psycho-social and mental health support.

To achieve this, the Secretary-General said that UN agencies have been acting with the cooperation of the Taliban, “who have progressively granted access to the areas requested and provided security when needed”.

“The number of incidents during humanitarian operations has been in constant decline”, he added.

While reiterating that “humanitarian assistance saves lives”, the UN chief warned that “it will not solve the problem if the economy of Afghanistan collapses.”

Before the Taliban takeover in August, Afghanistan’s fragile economy had been kept afloat by foreign aid over the past twenty years.

Right now, with assets frozen and development aid paused, Mr. Guterres said “the economy is breaking down” with banks closing and essential services, such as healthcare, suspended in many places.

“We need to find ways to make the economy breathe again”, the Secretary-General argued. “This can be done without violating international laws or compromising principles.”

For the top UN official, “the main responsibility for finding a way back from the abyss lies with those that are now in charge in Afghanistan”.

Since they regained control after the United States withdrew its troops from the country, the Taliban promised on numerous occasions that they would protect the rights of all Afghans.

Guterres stressed that the possibility of women to move, work, and enjoy their basic rights is central to this promise.

Recalling his visits to the country, he said that was always “deeply moved by the courage, resilience and determination of Afghan women and girls”.

Now, he is “particularly alarmed” to see the Taliban breaking their promises.

“Broken promises lead to broken dreams for the women and girls of Afghanistan”, he stated. “Women and girls need to be the centre of attention”.

About 80 per cent of Afghanistan’s economy is informal and dominated by women.

Since 2001, three million girls have enrolled in school and, on average, education has increased from six years to 10.

“Without them, there is no way the Afghan economy and society will recover”, upheld the UN chief.

“I strongly appeal to the Taliban to keep their promises to women and girls and fulfil their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law”, he concluded.

Non-Violence Day offers prospect for ‘new era of peace, trust and tolerance’

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 1: In his message for the International Day of Non-Violence, on Saturday, the UN chief noted that the day provides an opportunity to usher in a “new era of peace, trust and tolerance”.

Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that it was no coincidence that the day coincides with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi – leader of India’s independence movement and a founder of the principles of non-violence.

“For Gandhi, non-violence, peaceful protest, dignity and equality were more than words. They represented a guiding light for humanity, a map to a better future”, he said.

The UN chief also pointed to the movement as “a template” to confront today’s troubled times.

“Conflicts and climate change. Poverty and inequalities. Mistrust and divisions. All under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to devastate people and economies alike”, he said.

The UN chief underscored that the solution to these challenges “is in our hands: solidarity”.

The principle of non-violence, also known as non-violent resistance, rejects the use of physical force to achieve social or political change and has been adopted globally in campaigns for social justice.

“We need to recognize, as Gandhi did, that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. That peace provides the only pathway to a better future for all”, he said.

Addressing global challenges means “coming together as one human family, and embracing peace like never before”, Guterres said, calling on combatants around the world to lay down their arms and “focus on defeating humanity’s common enemy – COVID-19 – not one another”.

He underscored the urgent need to deliver lifesaving vaccines and treatment, “and support countries in the long road to recovery ahead”; intensify efforts to reduce inequalities and end poverty; and create “a bold global plan of action” to heal the planet.

Most of all, flagged the UN chief, “we need to renew trust in one another”.

Gandhi thoughts on non-violence:
"Poverty is the worst form of violence.
"Non-violence is a weapon of the strong.

"Non-violence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another.

"We may never be strong enough to be entirely nonviolent in thought, word and deed. But we must keep nonviolence as our goal and make strong progress towards it".

“Hatred, division, conflict and mistrust have had their day”, he said. “It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust and tolerance”.

Guterres urged everyone to “heed Gandhi’s message of peace and get down to the business of building a better and more peaceful future for all”.