This week, a Sudanese activist stands up for peace at the United Nations. Kenya calls to extend its peace mission in Haiti. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia must be forced into peace.
Sudanese activist stands up for peace at UN
Sudanese peace and climate activist Nisreen Elsaim stood up for peace in her country at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
Elsaim had had food, water, and electricity cut off from her for weeks in Sudan before she fled the country with her baby. She said, “Lives are being lost to gunfire and shelling, to famine and malnutrition, to diseases like cholera and dengue fever.”
Elsaim warned that even though the solution to Sudan’s conflict lies inside the country, “its consequences will not be contained to the region,” since over 2 million people have crossed into neighboring countries. She described the UN’s financial support as “vital to Sudan’s struggle.”
Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, announced a US$25 million allocation from the OCHA-managed Central Emergency Response Fund to tackle famine and acute food insecurity in Sudan. The United States pledged $424 million towards emergency humanitarian relief.
Sudanese women have been making their voices heard in calls for peace. Earlier this month, Sudanese women leaders from 16 different organizations called for a gender-inclusive mediation process to address Sudan’s dire civil war. The leaders said that all political parties should adhere to the 35% affirmative action policy for women by appointing more women to leadership positions, and stop replacing women in decision-making roles with men.
Kenya calls for extended peace mission in Haiti
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary is urging the United Nations Security Council to extend Kenya’s peace mission in Haiti, Kenyan news site Capital FM reported. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called on the Security Council to extend the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti for another year. This extension would facilitate the full deployment of Kenyan officers, essential for achieving the mission’s objectives. Currently, only 410 out of the planned 2,500 officers have been deployed, limiting the mission’s impact.
Mudavadi praised the efforts of the deployed officers in collaborating with the Haitian National Police to secure critical infrastructure, including the international airport and national hospital. He highlighted significant progress made in the first 100 days, which has enhanced public safety and facilitated humanitarian aid access. Mudavadi also stressed the need for innovative approaches to ensure sustained support and resources for the MSS Mission.
Kenya plans to send an additional 600 police officers to Haiti soon, bolstering efforts against gangs in the capital. President William Ruto has expressed support for transforming the mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation. The UN Security Council is expected to convene soon to decide on renewing Kenya’s mandate for an additional 12 months, preparing for a full UN mission in 2025.
This week, Peace News reported on Haiti’s need for continued support amidst the country’s unfolding humanitarian crisis. Eighty percent of Port-au-Prince remains controlled by criminal gangs that seized vast swathes of the capital in the power vacuum following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. To learn more, click here.
Ukrainian president says Russia must be forced into peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN Security Council, emphasizing that the conflict with Russia cannot be resolved through dialogue alone; instead, he argues that Russia must be “forced into peace.” Zelensky condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions as violations of international norms and called for robust support from Western allies for his “victory plan” to end the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He criticized proposals suggesting territorial concessions to Russia as unacceptable and highlighted the complicity of North Korea and Iran in supplying arms to Moscow, calling them “de facto accomplices.”
Zelensky warned that the war would not simply fade away and reiterated the need for decisive action against Russia, which currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine. He also expressed concern about the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, where support for Ukraine may shift depending on the outcome. In response, the Kremlin dismissed Zelensky’s remarks as a “fatal mistake,” asserting that peace could only be achieved under conditions that ensure Russia’s security. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, reinforcing the illegitimacy of Russia’s aggression.
Tara Abhasakun
Tara Abhasakun is a journalist in Bangkok. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
