Former UN Secretary-General and an emeritus member of the Elders, Ban Ki-moon, said that to truly promote leadership for peace, the international community must fundamentally reform and reinvigorate the Security Council.
Ban spoke at the Council’s meeting under the theme of Maintenance of international peace and security: Leadership for peace.
The former UN chief said, “I am of the view that UN leadership must more confidently reassert its active political role in diplomacy for peace, including mediating and settling crises.”
“Member States must support this role, and guard against situations in which only powerful countries dictate political settlements. And this needs to start here, in this Council, in this Chamber,” Ban added.
He suggested that the next Secretary-General should be empowered by a single, seven-year term, explaining that two five-year terms leave the Secretary-General overly dependent on this Council’s Permanent Members for an extension.
Ban also highlighted that the Council “must be made fit for purpose for the twenty-first century world, rather than the twentieth century.”
He said, “The Council has long been plagued by divisions and disruptive tactics. But the irresponsible way many States now disregard their obligations today is especially concerning. “
In particular, some Permanent Members of this Council regularly undermine the UN’s universal peace and security mandate; through their use of the veto to shield themselves, their allies, and their proxies from accountability,” the former UN chief said,
He continued, “Without concrete reforms to curb the arbitrary use, and misuse, of veto power by permanent members, the UN’s sense of helplessness will not be overcome. Civilians will remain unprotected in conflict. Impunity will still reign.”
Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers – all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Noon Briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Abyei
– Sudan
– Sudan/Humanitarian
– Oman
– Secretary-General Travels
– Australia
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Syria
– Ukraine
– Belarus
– Central African Republic
– Security Council
– Global Refugee Forum
– Guest Tomorrow
– Financial Contribution
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ABYEI
Following the attack on the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, on 13 December, which resulted in the killing of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injury of nine others while on duty with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), this morning, a solemn ceremony was held at the Mission headquarters in Abyei to honour the six peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their remains are being escorted back to Bangladesh.
The injured peacekeepers, who were evacuated from Kadugli to Abyei on 13 December, are being treated at UNISFA’s hospital. The Mission’s top priority is to ensure that everything possible is done to provide the necessary medical care for the injured.
The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Robert Yaw Affram, visited Kadugli today to assess the situation and to engage with the peacekeepers on the ground and other relevant parties.
The Mission has taken all necessary steps to protect its personnel and facilities by reinforcing protection measures at the Kadugli logistics base to ensure their safety and is closely coordinating with relevant stakeholders to assess the situation.
SUDAN
On Saturday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the horrific drone attacks that targeted the United Nations peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan. The attacks resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries – all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Yesterday, the Secretary-General spoke by phone with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Mr. Muhammed Yunus, to express his condolences to the Government and people of Bangladesh and to convey his solidarity following this horrific attack.
In the statement, the Secretary-General underscored that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, and he reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians. Such attacks against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability.
SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN
Further on Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the situation across the Kordofan region is rapidly worsening, with civilians facing mounting risks as hostilities intensify.
We are alarmed by reports that yesterday, a drone attack struck a hospital in the town of Dilling, in South Kordofan State, killing at least six people and injuring 12 others – that’s according to initial information from the UN Human Rights Office. Other reports indicate that medical personnel were among the injured.
OCHA reminds all parties that attacks on hospitals and health workers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law. Medical facilities and civilians must be protected at all times, and those responsible must be held to account.
Meanwhile, in the east of Kadugli, the state capital of South Kordofan, artillery shelling was reported yesterday, posing further risks to civilians.
The escalating violence is driving new displacement. Our colleagues with the International Organization for Migration estimate that more than 1,700 people were displaced between Thursday and Saturday from several towns in South Kordofan.
The security situation also remains volatile in North Kordofan State, including in the state capital, El Obeid, where further attacks have been reported.
Despite the insecurity, we and our partners continue our efforts to provide life-saving assistance as funding and access allow. With the World Health Organization and national authorities conducting a cholera vaccination campaign in South Kordofan, Abu Jubeihah locality, it is essential that sustained access is facilitated and security is guaranteed.
Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-15
Drone attacks on UN logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday killed six peacekeepers – all members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)
Every day at noon, Stéphane Dujarric steps on stage to field questions about the United Nations from international journalists. As spokesman for the Secretary-General, he must be ready to talk on all aspects of the organization’s work at a time of unprecedented financial and political strain.
“There is no way we can move forward in this world without multilateralism, without an organization like this one. It’s like a plant, right? It needs to be watered. We can’t let it wither away.”
An alumnus of the United Nations International School, Stéphane Dujarric was immersed in the world of international diplomacy from an early age. In this episode, he shares why his own family owes everything to the actions of two courageous diplomats, and reflects on how being a procrastinator can be a superpower when faced with the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle.
Media stakeout by a delegation from The Elders, the group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, comprised of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, following the Security Council open debate on leadership for peace.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the Security Council today, suggesting that the next Secretary-General be appointed for a single seven-year term rather than two five-year terms, arguing that the current system is overly dependent on permanent members for extensions.
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Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
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