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Title: UN Chief Condemns Violence, Offers Mediation Amid Escalating Global Crises
Image: © The European Times
UN Secretary-General António Guterres held separate phone conversations on Monday with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
During these calls, Guterres strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place on 22 April and emphasized the need for justice and accountability using legal means. He also voiced concern over growing tensions between India and Pakistan, warning against any confrontation that could have devastating consequences.
“The Secretary-General expressed his readiness to support de-escalation efforts, including offering to mediate,” Dujarric stated during the daily press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
Escalating Violence in Eastern DR Congo Displaces Thousands
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), worsening violence continues to displace large numbers of civilians and disrupt essential services, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Tuesday.
Renewed fighting in South Kivu province has led to the deaths of at least 10 civilians in Walungu territory. Further violence in nearby Kalehe has resulted in multiple reports of rape and assault, as insecurity deepens. Health clinics and schools in Fizi territory have also been looted or destroyed in recent clashes.
OCHA urged all armed groups to abide by international humanitarian law and protect civilians. “Safe and unhindered humanitarian access is critical,” the agency stressed.
The ongoing conflict, particularly between the M23 rebel group and government forces in North Kivu, has displaced hundreds of thousands since the start of the year. Civilians in Walikale territory are caught in a continuous cycle of fleeing and returning, further complicating relief efforts.
Desert Locust Surge Threatens North Africa’s Food Security
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has raised concern over a surge in desert locust activity in North Africa caused by favorable weather conditions during the spring breeding season.
“Desert locusts are one of the most destructive migratory pests in the world,” warned UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, noting the serious risk they pose to crops, pasturelands, and food security.
A single swarm can span hundreds of square kilometers and contain up to 80 million locusts per square kilometer. Such a swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people.
Mild temperatures and recent rains have provided an ideal environment for breeding, allowing locusts to move north from the Sahel into vulnerable areas spanning Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, Algeria’s Sahara region, southern Tunisia, and western Libya.
The FAO emphasized the urgency of conducting ground surveys and early intervention to prevent a large-scale crisis. “Surveys and rapid control measures are essential in areas with suitable breeding conditions due to seasonal rains,” said Cyril Piou, the FAO’s Locust Monitoring and Forecasting Officer.
Early action, the agency stressed, will be key to protecting livelihoods and food supplies in affected regions.
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