Sudanese ambassador to the United Nations, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, spoke briefly at the United Nations Security Council stakeout today about the indictment by International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Ambassador Mohamad criticized both the ICC’s position, as well as Ocampo’s statement as “weak,” and stated that “vis-a-vie peace and security” in Darfur, the international community must reject the indictment.
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 Sudan Ambassador on Ocampo's Weak Performance: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Eric Laroche, Director-General for Health Action in Crisis of the World Health Organization (WHO), spoke at United Nations headquarters in New York today regarding the gradual transformation of the WHO. 

According to Mr. Laroche, the WHO “has completely changed [personnel] over the past two or three months.”  With the increased threat of climate change, Mr. Laroche spoke of how new priorities will result in an increased presence in countries affected by disaster, and more engagement in piratical and political solutions to disease.

The WHO seems to be looking beyond just climate change. In response to increased proliferation of disease, the Director-General expressed a desire to develop a “new framework” for all disasters, not just climate change.

At the forefront of the WHO’s priorities are concerns about climate change and global food security.  The Director-General spoke bluntly about a foreseen increase in diseases like diarrhea, malaria, and asthma, and pledged to work with local governments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) in finding hyper-local solutions.  “We have to work with the institutions, for the institutions,” stated Mr. Laroche. In it’s renewed ambition to work with well-informed, on-the-ground actors, Mr. Laroche spoke of working with NGOs to “find the right policy.”

News Director Lovisa Frost will attending President Bush’s press conference about the housing and financial markets. Correspondent Dawn Jones will be covering Missile Defense Agency director Lt. Gen. Henry A. “Trey” Obering III’s briefing on missile defense. Chief United Nations correspondent Dan Patterson will be covering Sudan updates and a panel discussion on Small Arms Trade and Children and Armed Conflict. (more…)

Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, Sudan’s ambassador to the United Nations, briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York today regarding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Ambassador Mohamad repeatedly denounced the indictment by ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and rejected “in the strongest possible terms” the charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

The ambassador strongly asserted that “we do not recognize the authority of the ICC” and that “we consider this move as an affront” to the sovereignty to Sudan.  He also claimed that the charges are politically motivated, stating  “[Ocampo] only wants to settle political scores.”  When pressed on what specific political “scores” motivate Ocampo, ambassador Mohamed quickly changed the subject.

Regarding resolution of the Darfur crisis, the ambassador stated, “Darfur problems better be addressed by the Sudanese” and that international support should be “complimentary” to the efforts of the Sudanese government.

Ambassador Mohamed confidently expressed that the President’s travel schedule would not be interrupted, and that the ambassador would be surprised if President Bashir did not attend the United Nations annual General Assembly meeting in September.

More Talk Radio News Sudan Coverage

Listen to the full audio of Sudanese Ambassador to the United Nations Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad’s statement on the indictment of President Omar al-Bashir by the ICC. (16:39)

Soudbite audio below.

 

 Sudan Ambassador on ICC Indictment Full Statement: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador Condemns ICC Indictment: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador on Working with ICC: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador on Exemptions from ICC: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Sudan Ambassador on Political Process: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Permanent Representative to the United Nations for South Africa, Dumisani Kumalo, discusses the possibility of sanctions, as well as perceived progress made by various opposition parties in  Zimbabwe.  Ambassador Kumalo described the situation as “very, very encouraging,” and that [the discussions] are a way for the various actors to negotiate.  (0:33)

 

 S African Ambassador Kumalo on Zimbabwe: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York about his recent trip to Asia, including the G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan.

The SG traveled between his home nation of Korea, China, and Japan.  He expressed that all three nations are “rising” powers, and that their futures are interlinked.

Mr. Ban would not characterize the G8 summit as a success or failure, but did mention that he was pleased with apparent progress.  The Secretary-General noted that the United Nations and international community must focus on three specific areas of growth; climate change, food security, and development.  (Listen to audio.)  He applauded the G8 nations on their commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.  The SG also acknowledged a financial commitment by G8 nations of $10 billion to help food security, but reminded the nations that true food security requires $25 billion per year.  Regarding development, particularly in Africa, the SG was please by the eventual goal to recruit 1.5 million health care workers over the next several years.  Additionally, the G8 will work towards a donation of 100 insecticide-treated bed nets to help prevent Malaria.

In Sudan, the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest possible language the recent attack on United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). (Listen to audio.) According to the UN, the attack was perpetrated by approximately 200 members of the Janjaweed militia, and involved the use of “heavy arms” by forces on horseback and in SUVs.  Seven UNAMID members were killed, and another 22 were injured.  The SG reminded all involved parties to remember their commitments to peace and stability in the region.

During today’s press conference, Mr. Ban also condemned violence surrounding the on-going electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.  The SG indicated that all G8 members are “seriously engaged” in finding solutions to crisis.  The Security Council is currently deliberating on potentially sanctioning the government of Zimbabwe.

Finally, Mr. Ban addressed climate change.  He stressed that work towards improving the climate change crisis will greatly assist the UN’s other two goals of food security and improved development in Africa. (Listen to audio.) Although there were no consensus agreements on short-term and mid-term reductions in carbon emissions, the Secretary-General was pleased at progress made by G8 nations.

All audio segments streaming and download below.

Video Report by Dan Patterson recorded after the Secretary-General’s press conference:

Click To Play

 

 UN SG Ban Ki-moon denounces Sudan violence: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 UN SG Ban Ki-moon on 3 Major Global Crisis: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 UN SG Ban Ki-moon on interlocking goals: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Details are emerging of a fresh attack in North Darfur on a United Nations - African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) .   The ambush happened between the villages of Gusa Jamat and Wadah (see map below) at 2:45 local time and killed approximately seven peacekeepers, and wounded another 22 more.  The United Nations is reporting that “heavy weapons” were used, and that the scurmish lasted approxmately two hours.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attacks, and called for local and national actors to be mindful of previous commitments to the on-going peace process.  Mr. Ban also issued his condolences to the family members affected by the attack.

View Larger Map

Audio: A statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General regarding the attacks on UNAMID forces in North Darfur. Download. (1:33)

 

 Attacks On UNAMID In Darfur: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Members of the United Nations Security Council spoke today regarding the on-going electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.  The audio is linked below.

Current Security Council President, United States Ambassador Zalmay Kahlilzad described the current climate of Security Council discussion.  Ambassador Kahlizad also explained the difficulties, from a US perspective, of a consensus decision within the Security Council.  He described the need for both a carrot and a stick when dealing with current Zimbabwe President Mugabe.  Kahlilzad added that “we need to add pressure” to the current government.

The Permanent Representative from the United Kingdom, John Sawyers, discussed the range of views within the Security Council.  He emphasized, however, that there is a “widespread view that the Council cannot do nothing.”

South African Permanent Representative Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo discussed how he cannot imagine sanctions as an effective stick when dealing with the brutality of Mugabe.  Representative Kumalo also explained that while the international community may see the Zimbabwe crisis as a threat to regional and gloal stability, the African Union disagrees.  The AU, according the Representative Kumalo, is affraid of an over-exertion of Security Council power.

 

 US Respresentative Kahlilzad On Zimbabwe: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 UK Respresentative Sawyers On Zimbabwe: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 South Africa Representative Kumalo On Zimbabwe: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, spoke today at the United Nations in New York about her recent visit to Afghanistan.  Ms Coomaraswamy, along with the Director of the Office of Emergency Programmes for UNICEF Louia-George Arsenault, visited Afghanistan for five days this past week to determine the extent to which children are being used in conflict zones.  Ms. Coomaraswamy explained that her role was to ensure that the UN monitoring presence in Afghanistan is correctly established and implemented. The team met with local religious and social leaders, leading NGOs, as well as Afghani President Hamid Karai.

Ms. Coomaraswamy stated that the UN as of yet has no hard figures on the number of children currently being used in armed conflict, and that the mission goal was to establish a UN presence.  She did, however, express that children are being detained by Americans, and recruited by the Taliban and other anti-government groups.  She also witnessed evidence of Talibani and tribal recruitment of young boys.  Ms. Coomaraswamy also stated that more sexual violence occurs against young boys than young women.  She reminded officials that it is against international law to recruit boys without facial hair to “war or quarters.”

According to Ms. Coomaraswamy, all parties are aware of the fragile security situation in the country, and the impact violence has on children and society.  Ms. Coomaraswamy implored the government of the importance “to expand humanitarian space,” and allow organizations to work to assist the civilian population.  In a statement issued last week, Ms. Coomarasawmy stated “the on-going attacks targeting schools, teachers and school children are a grim reminder that concerted efforts must be made by all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety of children … we must take concrete actions now to better protect children and the future generations of the country.”

This past week, both the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have renounced violence surrounding the electoral stand-off in Zimbabwe.

On Monday, the Security Council dileberated late in to the evening.  Current Security Council president Zalmay Khalilzad, United States Ambassador to the UN, expressed his frustration at the on-going voilence, indicating that it would be almost impossible for a “free and fair” election to occur on schedule.  Mr. Ban stated earlier this week that an election held under such adverse conditions “would lack all legitimacy.”

Additionally, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe, renounced recent acts of violence and intimidation.  In a statement issued on 19 June, Pascoe called political intimidation “unacceptable” and noted that if violence continued it would be very difficult for the world community to recognize the results of this Friday’s previously-scheduled run-off election.  Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been holed-up within the Dutch embassy after announcing his intention to pull out of his bid to unseat current President Robert Mugabe.  Tsvangirai’s supporters have been targeted in attacks by Mugabe loyalists. 

For more information on the Zimbabwe electorial crisis, please visit the BBC’s Zimbabwe Q&A, and the Guardian’s Zimbabwe timeline.  Google News on the Zimbabwe electorial crisis.