The UN Security Council demanded an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in key conflicts, including Syria, Yemen, Libya, South Sudan, and Congo, on Wednesday to tackle COVID-19 in its first resolution on the new coronavirus, Report says.
The UN’s most powerful body voted unanimously to adopt the resolution after the United States and China resolved a lengthy dispute over mentioning the World Health Organization.
Germany’s UN Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, the council president for July, announced the result, calling it “a sign for hope for all people currently living in conflict zones.”
“It is now the obligation of the council — and all parties to armed conflicts — to implement this resolution in our work this month and beyond,” he said.
The resolution backs UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ March 23 call for global ceasefires to tackle the pandemic and demands an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in all conflicts on its list, which include conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.
It calls on all warring parties “to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days” to enable the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.
The resolution, sponsored by France and Tunisia, states that these measures do not apply to military operations against the Islamic State and al-Qaida extremist groups and their affiliates.
The UN chief again urged countries to redouble efforts for peace in conflicts where they have influence and said he looks forward to working with all parties “to advance.