BENTIU – Despite the searing heat, rising floodwaters, and insecurity that plagues residents in Bentiu, United Nations Police Officer, Wafaa Assri Sameeh Al-Goussous, remains serene. Whether on patrol, mentoring national police officers, or engaging with communities, her calm approach helps strengthen trust between law enforcement and civilians. With 13 years of experience as a police officer in Jordan, Wafaa’s career has spanned a wide range of…

26 February 2026 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday told the Human Rights Council in Geneva today: “Afghanistan is a graveyard for human rights. The cascade of edicts and laws announced by the de facto authorities since coming to power in 2021 is having a crushing impact on the Afghan people, particularly women and girls.” These edicts are being codified into an ever wider de facto legal framework. “A new decree…

YAMBIO - Ethiopian peacekeeper, Tigist Ferede, is serving her country and the United Nations with pride. The 46-year-old is not on the frontline of patrols but is helping to keep peacekeepers safe and ready for every challenge they might encounter. In the busy, traditionally male-dominated, workshop of the Ethiopian battalion in Yambio, Western Equatoria, the steady hum of engines and clang of tools form the rhythm of her day. As a skilled…

MUNDRI - In Mundri West, the changing seasons bring cattle — and with them, both opportunity and uncertainty. Each year, pastoralists migrate in search of water and grazing land. But as herds move across farmland and fishing areas, tensions rise with host communities. Competition over land and resources has too often turned into conflict. For one community member, what began as a simple mission of peace ended in tragedy. “I was on a mission to…

LEER - “Peace and justice are paramount for our community.” Leer County Commissioner, General James Kuol Tap, set the tone for a specialized training for 50 traditional chiefs and 20 police officers from across southern Unity in how to investigate crimes, ensure human rights standards are adhered to, and that court proceedings flow smoothly. The five-day training by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, with support from Norway and the UN…

LEER – In the town of Leer, a silent revolution is underway. Once decimated during fierce fighting, the town is slowly rebuilding itself thanks to the resilience of its residents, and a little support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Patrols and engagement with local communities by UNMISS peacekeepers from Ghana provide a sense of security; and an economic empowerment project implemented a few months ago that combined…

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

Kinshasa, 24 February 2026 – The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) have deployed a joint exploratory and preliminary assessment mission to Uvira, South Kivu, from 23 to 27 February 2026, following consultation with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and chairperson of the ICGLR, His Excellency…

Mogadishu - Every voice matters. Every language counts. On International Mother Language Day, UNSOS and UNTMIS across Somalia honour the richness of the Somali language and the vibrant diversity of mother tongues represented across our missions. This linguistic richness strengthens the way we serve the country, its people, and the communities we support. Our colleagues speak a tapestry of mother tongues—from Tigrigna and Amharic in East Africa…

Mr. Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, Representatives of Political Parties, Ladies and Gentlemen of Civil Society, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel deeply honored to represent the Secretary-General at this important event, which marks a moment of hope and progress for the Haitian people. The signing of the “National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections” is a significant political act. It places at the center of…