Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Sudan
South Sudan
Central African Republic
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon
Yemen
Ukraine/Russia
Ukraine/Humanitarian
Ebola/Democratic Republic of the Congo
Afghanistan
Venezuela
Clean Air Report
International Literacy Day
Sudan
Moving to Sudan, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, is continuing his visit to Khartoum. Today, he joined his Quintet colleagues (which, as you know, comprises the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States, the European Union, and, of course, ourselves). They met in Khartoum. This is a good offices mission for the Quintet to listen to Sudanese stakeholders’ assessment of the current political and security situation and share reflections on efforts to advance an inclusive political track towards peace in Sudan.
The Quintet envoys held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by engagements with UN agencies. They are also set to engage with political and civilian forces next, followed by other engagements.
As we mentioned, Mr. Haavisto arrived in Khartoum last Friday. Since then, he held a series of constructive meetings with the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, the Prime Minister, as well as the Foreign Minister and senior Government officials; he also met with civil society and other political leaders.
In his discussions over the weekend, Mr. Haavisto focused on practical measures to advance de-escalation and the protection of civilians. He also discussed the release and exchange of detainees, further stressing the importance of ensuring a single national examination process for all Sudanese school children.
Mr. Haavisto also called for an inclusive political process alongside tangible steps to reduce violence, stressing that a negotiated settlement remains the only viable path towards a comprehensive ceasefire and a sustainable resolution of the conflict.
Mr. Haavisto will stay in Sudan until the end of the week. We will keep you posted on his activities.
South Sudan
Just heading south to South Sudan, our peacekeeping colleagues there are supporting the deployment of a court in the Bentiu camp for internally displaced persons, in collaboration with the Unity State Government and the country’s judicial and justice authorities.
Consistent with Security Council resolution 2820 (2026), which mandates UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan) to support national and local authorities investigating and prosecuting violations and abuses, the Mission is supporting the court, which began operations yesterday and will run through 26 September. The Court will hear cases relating to sexual and gender-based violence, drugs and gang violence, in response to concerns and requests from the community for stronger justice and rule of law mechanisms, particularly affecting children and youth.
The deployment aims to bring the formal justice system directly to residents of the camp. It builds on the re-establishment of the Judiciary in Unity State in May, after 13 years of absence, and on seven mobile courts deployed across the state since 2024 with support from our peacekeeping colleagues.
Central African Republic
And in nearby Central African Republic, our peacekeeping colleagues there from MINUSCA (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic) report encouraging signs of a gradual return to normal life in Am-Dafock, near the border with Sudan, following the attack by armed groups on 30 June, as you will recall. That attack left 29 people dead, including members of the Central African Armed Forces and Gendarmerie, injured civilians and peacekeepers, and displaced more than 17,000 human beings.
More than 5,000 people have now returned to their homes. MINUSCA has reinforced its military presence and increased patrols in the town and surrounding areas, alongside the deployment of the Central African Armed Forces, to help protect civilians.
The Mission has also supported dialogue with local communities, facilitated visits by national authorities, supplied clean drinking water and helped deliver humanitarian assistance. The peacekeepers stress that the reopening of the market is a positive development, but the situation remains fragile, and security and stabilization efforts must continue.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-09-08