SG: the SG is currently in Nairobi on the first full day of his visit to Kenya where he just launched his report on HIV/AIDS ahead of the high-level meeting on the topic at the General Assembly in June. He said that thirty years ago, AIDS was a death sentence. Now people are living, striving and thriving with HIV. Going further, he said that we still battle discrimination, but people with HIV now find more acceptance than before. The SG met with President Mwai Kibaki and PM Raila Odinga. The SG and President Kibaki officially opened a new energy-efficient office complex at the UN compound in Nairobi, which is “a living model of our sustainable future”. The SG announced, “This facility embodies the new, green economy I have championed for years now. An economy that can usher in a cleaner future, create jobs and spur economic growth.” In addition, the SG met with senior UN officials based in Nairobi and attended the CEB meeting.
Côte d’Ivoire: The SG is closely watching the rapidly evolving events in the country and is concerned about the heightened violence, and reiterates that those responsible for inciting, orchestrating or committing human rights violations will be held accountable under international law. In addition, he expressed concern about the critical humanitarian situation in both Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. With this in mind, the SG called on all parties to allow immediate access to populations in need and appealed to the international community to contribute generously the resources required to address the emergency. In addition, SRSG Choi Young-Jin is following the situation. UNOCI reported that Choi is working with all involved parties to ensure that civilians aren’t targets and quick solutions to the humanitarian crisis are found, particularly in the west. UNOCI has deployed troops in Duékoué to protect roughly 10,000 IDPS who are staying in a church. At this point, there are 494 confirmed deaths due to the post-electoral violence.
Security Council: In regards to Côte d’Ivoire, the Council passed SCR. 1975 yesterday afternoon, urging all Ivoiran parties and other stakeholders to respect the will of the people and the election of Ouattara as the country’s president. The Security Council discussed the recent escalation of violence and demanded an immediate end against civilians. More concretely, the Council placed sanctions on Gbagbo and his wife Simone, as well as three of their associates. Starting tomorrow, Colombia will assume the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of April.
Briefings Tomorrow: The press conference with Miguel D’Escoto Brockman has been rescheduled for 10 AM. At 12:30 PM, the Permanent Represent of Colombia and President of the Security Council in April, will brief on the Council’s program of work.
Libya: The UN stated that it hasn’t officially received a letter from Libya in regards to a change in the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN. According to Ambassador Susan Rice, Mr. D’Escoto “has not been nominated by anybody who even can claim to represent the Libyan Government at this point. First point. So, his nomination is already in question. Secondly, he is not possessing the appropriate visa, which is necessary for him to be accredited as a Permanent Representative – same for everybody here at the United Nations. So, in order for him to even be considered, he has to leave the country and apply for a G1 visa”.